Yoshihiro Akiyama

Yoshihiro Akiyama (Japanese: 秋山成勳, Korean: 추성훈, Hanja: 秋成勳, Chu Seong-hun) is a decorated judoka who moved to mixed martial arts where he became the 2006 K-1 HERO'S Light Heavyweight tournament champion. A fourth-generation ethnic Korean born in Japan, he obtained Japanese nationality as an adult.

Judo career

Before his mixed martial arts career, Akiyama was a decorated judoka.

Judo competition record

Notable Accomplishments/Titles (judo)
All-Japan Collegiate Separate Weight Divisions 2nd Place 1996
All-Japan Industry Judo Singles 81 kg Champion 2001
Kodokan Cup Japan Judo Championship 81 kg Champion 2001
Japan International Judo Tournament 81 kg Champion 2002
Paris International Judo Tournament 81 kg Champion 2002
Asian Games Judo 81 kg Champion 2002 (in Busan)
All-Japan Invitational Judo Championship Separate Weight Divisions 81 kg Champion 2003
World Judo Championship 81 kg Japan Representative 2003

2002 Asian Games

Representing Japan, Akiyama won the Gold Medal at the 2002 Asian Games defeating Ahn Dong-Jin of South Korea in the finals.

2003 World Judo Championships Controversy

Akiyama defeated three opponents from France, Mongolia, and Turkey to reach the semi-finals of the 81 kg Light Middleweight division. However, all three opponents claimed that Akiyama had a slippery judogi. Wearing a reserve jacket, Akiyama lost two games in a row (semifinal and 3rd-place match) and missed the medal.

International Judo Federation referee director Juan Carlos Barcos said an examination of the gi found that the slippery texture was due to high humidity which prevailed in Osaka and a detergent used to wash the uniform. "At any moment, we did not have any doubt about fair play in the case. We are absolutely sure that Mr. Akiyama is correct," since he changed the jacket at the request of the jury, Barcos said.

Akiyama was also accused of wearing slippery gear by former world and Olympic champion Kenzo Nakamura when they fought at the world championship trials in 2002.

MMA career

K-1 HERO'S

Akiyama's mixed martial arts debut was in the K-1 Premium 2004 Dynamite event on December 31, 2004, where he defeated boxer Francois Botha by armbar submission in the first round. His only defeat has been to Jerome LeBanner, who knocked him out with knees in his second fight at the K-1 HERO'S 1 event on March 26, 2005. He has notable wins against Tokimitsu Ishizawa, Taiei Kin, Kestutis Smirnovas and Melvin Manhoef. Akiyama defeated Melvin Manhoef was the K-1 Hero's light-heavyweight Grand Prix 2006 final, and he gained the champion belt.

In K-1 Premium 2006 Dynamite, Akiyama fought Kazushi Sakuraba in the main event. During the match, Sakuraba called to the referee saying "[Akiayama is] Slippery!" Akiayama went to win the match with a referee stoppage. This created a controversy amongst MMA fans in Japan, assuming Akiyama was using some sort of body oil or lubricant, banned in K-1 rules.

But at this moment, Akiyama answered to questions about the oil in the interview as follows: "I have no idea why Sakuraba felt slippery. It may be my sweat, as I sweat a lot always and it often drips off my body."

On January 11, Akiyama and FEG (the parent company of K-1) held a press conference during which Akiyama said he used Olay lotion prior to the fight. Pre-fight footage also showed Akiyama casually applying lotion to his body in his locker room. As a result, Akiyama was disqualified and his prize money was suspended. Akiyama himself was suspended indefinitely from HERO'S competition six days later. Public outcry against Akiyama did not cease however, and Nike was swamped with complaints when Akiyama was featured on a television commercial in Japan. Though Akiyama has admitted to applying cream to his skin, he has said that the purpose was not to gain an unfair advantage but to treat his dry skin. The fight was ruled a "No Contest".

Akiyama was cleared from his FEG-induced suspension and FEG announced that Akiyama would return to K-1 Hero's in Seoul, on October 28, 2007. His opponent was Denis Kang, who was the finalist of PRIDE Bushido Grand Prix 2006 and making his debut in HERO'S. Though he was expected as an underdog, Akiyama beat Kang by KO in the first round.

Yarennoka Fight

On December 31, 2007, Akiyama faced Kazuo Misaki at Yarennoka!. The rules of the match stated that kicks to the head of a downed opponent would not be allowed. Late in the first round Misaki knocked down Akiyama with left hook, and as Akiyama struggled to his feet, Misaki delivered a lunging kick to the face which knocked Akiyama out. The match was ruled a knockout victory for Misaki, but Akiyama contended that one or more of his hands were on the mat at the time of the kick, which would make the kick a foul under the Yarennoka! rules. After reviewing video of the knockout, the Yarennoka! executive committee agreed; the official result was changed to a no contest.

MMA competition record

Result	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time
Win	Masanori Tonooka	Submission (Armbar)	DREAM.6: Middleweight Grand-Prix Finals	9/23/08	1	5:00
Win	Katsuyori Shibata	Submission (Gi Choke)	DREAM.5: Lightweight Grand-Prix Finals	7/21/08	1	6:34
NC	Kazuo Misaki	No Contest (result overturned)	Yarennoka! - New Years Eve 2007	12/31/07	1	7:48
Win	Denis Kang	KO (Punch)	K-1 - OLYMPIA HERO'S 2007 in KOREA	10/28/07	1	4:45
NC	Kazushi Sakuraba	No Contest	K-1 - Premium 2006 Dynamite		12/31/06	1	5:37
Win	Melvin Manhoef	Submission (Armbar)	K-1 - Hero's 7	10/09/06	1	1:58
Win	Kestutis Smirnovas	TKO (Strikes)	K-1 - Hero's 7	10/09/06	1	3:01
Win	Taiei Kin	Technical Submission (Armbar)	K-1 - Hero's 6	08/05/06	1	2:01
Win	Katsuhiko Nagata	KO (Kick)	K-1 - Hero's 5	05/03/06	2	2:25
Win	Tokimitsu Ishizawa	Submission (Gi Choke)	K-1 - Hero's 4	03/15/06	2	1:41
Win	Masakatsu Okuda	TKO (Slam and Punches)	K-1 - Seoul Hero's	11/05/05	1	3:31
Win	Michael Lerma	TKO (Punches)	K-1 - World Max 2005	10/12/05	1	2:47
Win	Carl Toomey	Submission (Armbar)	K-1 - Hero's 2	07/06/05	1	0:59
Loss	Jerome LeBanner	KO (Knees)	K-1 - Hero's 1	03/26/05	1	2:24
Win	Francois Botha	Submission (Armbar)	K-1 - Premium 2004 Dynamite		12/31/04	1	1:54