THE LEGEND TOSHIO FUJIWARA, THE MAN IN 99 KO!

Temps de lecture : 13 minutes

THE LEGEND TOSHIO FUJIWARA, THE MAN IN 99 KO!

by Serge TREFEU (2017)

(Thank to Andre Zeitoun)

Toshio Fujiwara was born on March 3rd, 1948 in the city of Iwate Miyako which is situated in 300 km in the North of Tokyo.

Toshio Fujiwara left to Tokyo to study. To finance his studies, he’s a deliveryman half-time of milk. During his tour, he delivers the milk in a martial arts club, the Mejiro Gym. It’s in this club which was established by Kenji Kurosaki that he discovers in 1969 a new contact sport, the Kickboxing. Kenji Kurosaki was the pioneer of the Kickboxing in Japan in the 70s, he created his club in the district of Mejiro of the district from Toshima to Tokyo and named it simply “Mejiro Gym”.

Kenji Kurosaki created in 1953 with Mas Oyama a style of karate which is called Kyokushinkai (The ultimate truth), this style of karate is very hard and authorizes the KO.

SENSEI MAS OYAMA AND SENSEI KENJI KUROSAKI

Kenji Kurosaki makes several journeys in Thailand in the 60s and in his come back of Thailand with master Naront Siri, they develop the Kickboxing in Japan. The Japanese Kickboxing practised in the 60s was a shape of Muay Thai which also included techniques of Karate Kyokushinkai. There was a clinch, knocks of knees and pokes, more the projections authorized the passage of hips. The rounds were of 3 minutes also but the minute of rest lasted one minute against one minute thirty in Thailand.

MASTER KUROSAKI

Master Kurosaki has had many great champions as pupils such as Mitsuo Shima, Kunimitsu Okao and Toshio Fujiwara.

BOTH PEARLS FORMED BY MASTER’S KUROSAKI, TOSHIO FUJIWARA AND MITSUO SHIMA

There are so many foreigners who came to Mejiro Gym in the 70s as Jon Bluming, Jan Van Looijen, Jan Plas and Peter Van de Hemel. It’s these Dutch boxers who then imported the kickboxing and the Muay Thai in the Netherlands. Jan Plas moreover based, in 1978, his club in Amsterdam which he named Mejiro Gym in reference to his professor Kurosaki. A mythical club of which the biggest champions Dutch went out as Lucien Carbin, Johan Vos, Rob Kaman, André Brilleman, Fred Royers, Milo el Geubli, Mustafa Yamali, Tom Van de Berg, André Mannaart, Leo de Snoo, Remy Bonjasky. On September 1st, 2010, Jan Plas, then imprisoned, is found dead in his cell. His death is officially declared as a suicide, he was 65 years old…

TOSHIO FUJIWARA WITH THE LEGENDARY HOLLANDAIS JAN PLAS

The Samurai of Clermont-Ferrand, French Patrick Brizon was also a pupil of Master Kurosaki. It’s Patrick Brizon who in the 70s imported the Thai boxing and the kickboxing in France having discovered this sport in Japan. Patrick Brizon opened his club in Clermont-Ferrand in 1974 and baptized Kurosaki Dojo in honor of his Japanese master. In this club, he formed several big fighters such as Adel Ferreira, Didier Leborgne, Daniel Dessalces, Patrick Sandouly, Gérard Dimier, Jocelyn Faye, Jean-Louis Lafargue, Dominique Martinez. Patrick Brizon gave up the ghost, in the age of 31 years, lightened by a heart attack during a jogging…

THE SAMOURAI OF CLERMONT-FERRAND PATRICK BRIZON IN MEJIRO GYM

Toshio Fujiwara is 20 years old when he begins his learning of the Kickboxing. He was already a sportsman but not really in the world of the combat sports. He had practised ” Taikiken (Japanese Martial art inspired by Chinese Yi Quan) “. But he was especially, during several years, a champion of table tennis and classified among the best university players of ping-pong of the country…

Formed by the biggest expert in Kickboxing, Master Kurosaki, Toshio Fujiwara quickly becomes a diligent pupil with warrior’s mental. This samurai of boxing rings already possessed in him famous ” Fighting spirit “.

TOSHIO FUJIWARA WITH HIS MASTER KUROSAKI

For his first professional fight in Kick Boxing Toshio Fujiwara beat by KO in the second round Sakai Takao on 1 October 1969. But he then lost to points against Thai Nanpon Cartesuk and suffered another defeat at points against Thai Sakuchai Rakanton. On December 19, he beat Sakamoto Eiji by points.

Toshio Fujiwara trains harder and becomes a real terror of rings.

In 1970, he fought 21 fights, fought every fifteen days and wins against all his opponents. Of his 21 fights, he won 16 by knockout, including 4 in the first round and five points victories, nobody can stop the Japanese war machine…

Toshio Fujiwara beat on January 6, Phenix Yamagushi (Victory by points), January 21, Chainor Jodoparson (KO 4th round), February 7, Honkaou Suranmisakawan (Victory by points), February 26, Surin Udomusak (KO 4th round), March 20th, Nakano Mitsuo (Victory by points), April 4, Chainor Jodoparson (KO 2nd round), April 13, Tcharomchai Cartesuk (KO 1st round), May 9, Bandal Ruskrepat (KO 2nd round), May 30, Muanyak Kachapichit (KO 2nd round), June 22nd, Krachai Honsurai (KO 2nd round), July 10th, Sorasak Jeuaron (KO 1st round), July 27th, Yasesak Srimon, 7 August, Tyali Saktyali (KO 2nd round), 17 August, Nakano Mitsuo (KO 3rd round), 5 September, Tachasing Sicharo (KO 4th round), 26 September, Goming Sicharo, October 1, Khanjaluk Satahip (KO 2nd round), November 28th, Piyan Sich (November 1st), Tchaomang Sopiboon (KO 1st round), October 31st, Nimoto Kazuo (KO 3rd round), November 11, Kwanjaluk Satahip (KO 2nd round), November 28th, Piyan Sicharo (KO 1st round) and December 25th, Sonkran Lukpanchaman (Victory by points).

TOSHIO FUJIWARA TRAINING AT MEJIRO GYM WITH SENSEI KENJI KUROSAKI

Year 1971 is also performed with victories, on his 17 fights, Japanese takes away 16 fights by KO among which three in the first round. But he loses by referee stop against the Thai Srasak Wayupak. Toshio Fujiwara fights enormously, he makes many hard fights and is going to be often hurt, that is why he’s going to lose some fights by stop on wound. Japanese has sudden several operations because of his wounds during his long career…

In January, he beat Viradack Lukrontan (KO 2nd round), in February, Pirapon Lumeini (KO 1st round) and Pripan Beosryan (KO 2nd round), in March, Sirisak Rukgansiri (KO 4th round) and Pichron Rudson (KO 2nd round), in April Viradarek Rukranton (KO 3rd round) and loses against Srasak Wayupak (2nd round stoppage), in May, he beat Buton Sikmu (KO 5th round) and Fadem Rukbamkra (KO 4th round), in June, again Buton Sikmu (KO 2nd round), in July, Shina Takash (KO 1st round), in August, Yorkursuk Sakchari (KO 3rd round) and Isorayuk Chaimrand (KO 4th round), in september, Krasuk Rukhayer (KO 3rd round), in October, Potep Repara (KO 1st round) and in November, Saksui Suihara (KO 3rd round).

Toshi Fujiwara won his first major trophy on 5 November 1971, winning the All Japan Kickboxing Association (AJKA) by defeating Tamaki Yoshimitsu at the points. He then defended this title AJKA six times, a title that is the equivalent of Japanese champion in Kick Boxing.

On June 21, 1972, he beat Tamaki Yoshimitsu again at the points for the AJKA title, on June 6, 1973, Sawano Masandri at the points for the AJKA title. On 15 December 1973, Toshio Fujiwara retained his AJKA title against Arashi Goro, he beat him by KO in the second round. On 31 May 1975, he beat Sato Masanobu for the AJKA title.

SATO MASANOBU AGAINST TOSHIO FUJIWARA

On July 9, 1976, Tsuchiya Ryo was knocked out in the third round by Toshio Fujiwara for the fifth defense of his AJKA title. And on 5 March 1977, Toshio Fujiwara won his last AJKA title by defeating Suzuki Katsuyuki by knockout in the third round.

In 1972, in January, he beat Japan’s Marako Itenushi (KO 1st round) and Thailand’s Honton Swonmisbwon (KO 2nd round), in February, Sitchai Amonrad (KO 1st round), in March, Tosak Timrand (KO 3rd round).

On April 30, at the Ratchadamnoen stadium in Bangkok, Toshio Fujiwara meets Rungnapa Sitsomsak, the match ends in the fifth round, the Thai who has not stopped making the clown in the ring is knocked out by Japanese…

On 21 May, he beat by KO Tanwa Novinyam. Then, in July, he won by points against Berasak Sodek and by KO Sarasak Wayupak. In August, he lost to the fourth round against Thai Seanchai Srisonpop (Referee stop), in October, he beat Atisak Uic and by KO Bindio Anpasak. He finished the year with a knockout victory in the third round against Samande Itechai on 22 November in Thailand and eight days later in Japan he makes a draw against Sanzyo Minoru.

The year 1973 began well for the Mejiro puncher with a knockout victory in the first round against the Thai Senpet Tunaronglit. On January 15, he beat Tarnin Saksery (KO 4th round), January 22nd Tripechee Rukprajapan (KO 3rd round) and in February his compatriot Tomaru Shinji falls KO in the second round.

Toshio Fujiwara is an innate puncher, he would have been able to make a career in Boxing because he was an excellent fighter with his fists and a terrible puncher.

Toshio Fujiwara possessed a technique in Boxing worthy of big champions of the noble Art. Moreover, the King Mohamed Ali personally had incited him to make a career in Boxing.

In 1976, Mohamed Ali had gone to Japan to fight the famous wrestler Inoki. A fight exhibition which ended by a draw between both champions. During his tour in Japan, Mohamed Ali had attended a training of Toshio Fujiwara in Kenji Kurosaki’s dojo. The world heavyweight champion had been surprised by the beautiful techniques in fists of Toshio Fujiwara and had recommended him to make a career in professional Boxing…

During year 1973, Toshio Fujiwara has sudden only one defeat on his 16 fights.

On March 1st, he beats by points the Thai Monkran Shinsonton.

On March 29th, he beats the former great champion of Boxing Shozo Saijo (World champion WBA featherweight, 38 fights, 29 victories) which had 16 fights and 15 victories in kickboxing. The match takes place in Tokyo in a stadium filled sell-out crowds with a host of personalities from the world of politics and show-biz. Toshio Fujiwara dominated completely Shozo Saijo but in the third round, the manager of Shozo Saijo jumped on the boxing ring to stop the match. The fight ended in biggest confusion with the evacuation of Shozo Saijo and his manager in front of public one at the edge of the riot…

Then Toshio Fujiwara beat in April, Samsei Iserapa (KO 1st round) and Meksuran Iserapa (KO 4th round), in May, Tapaya Katwayupak (KO 4th round), in June, Richided Seangmorakot (KO 2nd round), in July, Komchak Sida (Victory by points). But in October, he loses against Ronchai Wancharasak (Referee Stop 2nd round). In November, he beat Asauvin Sidowata (Victory by points) and Sakuda Iserapa (KO 4th round). In June and December, he defeated Sawano Masandri (Victory by points) and Arashi Goro (KO 2nd round) for the AJKA title.

In 1974, Toshio Fujiwara lost only once in 13 fights. In January, he beat Potoron Soponwat (Victory by points) and Masuzawa Kyoshi (KO 1st round), in March, Bangyai Isarapap (Victory by points), in April, Radjoe Isarapap (KO 2nd round). In May, in Japan, he beat by knockout third round Senchin Petchatanun with a dazzling uppercut. Then, fifteen days later, he beat Monchon Djruban (KO 3rd round), in June, for the rematch, he makes a draw against Thaiman Bangyai Isarapap, in July, he beat Nakamura Shozo (KO 5th round), in August, Taksin Djanarit (KO 2nd round), in september, Fason Sosampakaon (KO 3rd round) and Asawin Charonchai (Victory by points). On October 29, he thunders in the third round the Thai Jaïd Pisanrachan who is ranked No. 6 Lumpinee stadium. And for his last fight of the year 74, on November 26, he lost to the points against the Thai Sinton Katuvayinpak.

After the defeat at the points, Toshio Fujiwara is resting a few months. He attacked the year 75 with a KO victory in the fourth round on the Thai Chamoun Pontawai in Bangkok on 8 March 1975. In April he beat Banchin Sibaton (KO 3rd round), in May, again Chamoun Pontawai (KO 3rd round) and by points Sato Masanobu (AJKA title), in October, Pesito Simouson (KO 3rd round), in November, Chaïchan Rukbanco (KO 2nd round) and in December Ri Sapoton (KO 3rd round).

In 1976, only legendary Sirimongkol and the big champion Raweeson Bibelchaï are going to beat Japanese on his 13 made fights. On January 1st, Toshio Fujiwara beats Rung Sinyasonpon in points and on January 27th it’s Bakrynu Maropitak who is put KO in the fourth round by Japanese.

On March 8th, in a stadium of Radja full to the gunwales, Toshio Fujiwara faces the great champion Sirimongkol Luksiripat (Best boxer of year 1972) who was a champion of Lumpinee and beat the biggest such as Pud Laolek, Pud Pad Noy Woorawut, Reungsak Porntawee, Kongdech Lukbangprasoy, Wicharnoi Porntawee and Anantakorn Sor Lukmeuangrat. After a very technical match, the Thai judges give the win on points to Sirimongkol Luksiripat.

In April, Toshio Fujiwara beat Rantien Birapon (KO 2nd round), in May, Gamonfa Sitesaï (KO 1st round) and again Rung Sinyasonpon but by KO in the third round, in June, Chobu Raï (KO 2nd round), In July, Tsuchiya Ryo (KO 3rd round) and again Gamonfa Sitesaï (KO 2nd round). On August 21, he faces the number two of the stadium of the Lumpinee Raweeson Bibelchai who wins by stoppage of the referee in the first round. In September, he puts KO in the fifth round Tchuchaï Iserapap. On 30 October, he finds Raweeson Bibelchai for the rematch, and this time, the Thai is knocked out by the Japanese in the first round. On December 4, it’s Tchuchaï Iserapap that he meets again for a rematch, the Thai does not exceed the third round…

On January 1, 1977, Toshio Fujiwara faced the formidable Dentoranee Munsty that he knocked out KO in the third round. In February, he beat Ponsawon Homalhaï (KO 4th round) and in March, Suzuki Katsuyuki (KO 3rd round).

On April 7, 1977, at the stadium of the Ratchadamnoen in Bangkok, Toshio Fujiwara meets for the belt of world champion the Thai Charapon Sothai who is champion of Radja. The Japanese beat Charapon Sothai after a hallucinating fight in which both men ended completely exhausted. Toshio Fujiwara wins the supreme title and becomes the first no-Thai to beat a Thai champion (Radja Champion) at the Radja Stadium!

On 24 July he beat Chawarin Kitchainkraï by KO in the second round, in September, Soponsak Sohoyo (KO 2nd round) and in November he beat Wanaron Piwamid by points.

1978 is the year of the consecration for Toshio Fujiwara because it will win the famous belt of the mythical stadium of Ratchadamnoen.

On March 18th, 1978, in Japan, in Tokyo, Toshio Fujiwara faces the champion of the Radja titular, the Thai Mongsawan Ruk Changmai. The belt of the stadium of Radja in 135 lbs (-61 kg) made for the first time outside the Thailand. Toshio Fujiwara is determined to gain a victory, he will declare later ” I was ready to die on the boxing ring to have this title, no matter if I had an arm or a broken leg, I had to gain! “. The Japanese made perfect performance fight, beating by KO Mongsawan in the fourth round and becoming champion of the Radja in 135 lbs (- 61 Kg). Toshio Fujiwara go down in history of Muay Thai by becoming the first foreigner in the world to win a title from a Thai stadium!

RADJA CHAMPION

FIGHT IN JAPAN FOR THE RADJA STADIUM CHAMPION BELT

On May 27th, he beats by KO in the first round Wongchaï Chosawan.

On June 7th, 1978, in the stadium of Radja, in Bangkok, Toshio Fujiwara having conquered the belt of Radja is going to challenge the champion of the Lumpinee titular Sepree Kiatsompop. But the Japanese did not succeed in the feat of winning a second belt from a mythical stadium in Bangkok, he’s defeated by points in front of Sepree Kiatsompop who becomes a champion of the Radja in 135 lbs and champion of the Lumpinee in 135 lbs. Japanese loses his belt of Radja…

GIGANTESQUE POSTER FROM TOSHIO FUJIWARA TO THE STADIUM OF THE RADJA FOR HIS FIGHT AGAINST SEPREE KIATSOMPOP

On August 2, 1978, in Tokyo, legendary American Benny Urquidez confronted the great Thai champion Prayuth Sittiboonlert (Sisonpop) for a title of world champion. Prayuth Sittiboonlert dominates the American with his techniques of kneeling and beats to the points. In the same event Toshio Fujiwara meets the American Refigio Flores (Kick Boxing World Champion IKA) for a world title of Kick Boxing, the Japanese puts the American KO in the fifth round and becomes Kick Boxing World Champion!

Toshio Fujiwara will then meet Prayuth Sittiboonlert, six months later, in Japan, on February 6, 1979. The Thai will lose at the points against the Japanese destroyer.

TOSHIO FUJIWARA AGAINST PRAYUTH SITTIBOONLERT

Benny Urquidez then faced Toshio Fujiwara but the match between the two legends never took place. The American team did everything to avoid the Japanese champion…

PROMOTION FOR THE LEGEND SHOCK BETWEEN BENNY URQUIDEZ AND TOSHIO FUJIWARA

On August 26th, 1978, Japanese beats by KO in the fourth round Pirapon Chosaman.

On September 15th, 1978, in the stadium of Lumpinee, Toshio Fujiwara makes one of his most beautiful performances by beating in points the alive legend Pud Pad Noy Worawoot (Best boxer of year 1975, Lumpinee Champion – 51 Kg. – 54 Kg and – 58 Kg) which overcame the best of his category as Wicharnoy, Kunkotnoi, Soksin, Sirimongkol, Kiatpathum, Suksawadee, Chaiyuth, Apidet, Huasai and many of the others.

His fight against the Thai terror of time was the hardest of his career.

Indeed, Pud Pad Noy possessed a power of extremely dangerous strike with his middles kick but Toshio Fujiwara knew how to dyke the assaults of the Thai by breaking his working distance. The match was epic with a stadium of Lumpinee full to bursting, so full that the police had to push back people who agglutinated around the boxing ring and who prevented the boxers from rising on the boxing ring.

During this memorable fight, Pud Pad Noy was twice counted, once on a hook and once on a poke. It’s necessary to specify that Pud Pad Noy had not fought for two years before meeting Toshio Fujiwara, the Thai was lacking boxing ring because it had left teaching in the United States. But it removes not at all the immense exploit of Japanese. Moreover, this match was declared ” Fight of the year ” in Thailand!

THE FIGHT OF THE YEAR 78, FUJIWARA AGAINST PUD PAD NOY

On October 10, for the rematch, he puts KO Pirapon Chosaman in the second round.

On 30 October Toshio Fujiwara took revenge on the Thai Sepree Kiatsompop who had taken his belt from Radja. For this fight, the world champion belt of Thai boxing was put in play. Toshio Fujiwara is declared world champion after having stricken down the Thai in the fourth round with a magnificent right hook which electrocuted Sepree Kiatsompop!

WORLD CHAMPION

On November 25th, the Japanese finds again for the third time Pirapon Chosaman that he puts again KO in the third round.

On December 23, Toshio Fujiwara met the No. 1 in the Radja stadium, the Thai Sinsak Sosripan. Toshio Fujiwara defeated Sinsak Sosripan at the points.

On 12 February 1979, at the stadium of the Lumpinee, Toshio Fujiwara fought for the Lumpinee belt against defending champion Narondee Katibandet. But Toshio Fujiwara loses to points for the Lumpinee title…

On 3 April, he beat Kuponoï Hapran (KO 5th round) and in June, Santee Rakchaï (Victory by points). But in August, he loses against Birachat Sonden (Referee Stop 2nd round). In December, he beat Saksaron Saknaron (Victory by the points).

On January 3, 1980, Toshio Fujiwara beat his compatriot Nayae Kunimasa by KO in the second round. On 28 January, he lost points against Thailand’s Santee Rakchaï. On February 27, he beat Chan Chiarun (Victory by points), August 28, again Sinsak Sosripan (KO 2nd round) and September 28 Kripet Pratep (Victory by points).

In 1981, Toshio Fujiwara only made three fights, in May, he loses against the Japanese Saïto Keiju (Referee stop 2nd round) who will be the only Japanese to beat him. In June, he beats Saotome Ko (KO 1st round) and in December Sei Kichi (KO 3rd round).

On January 7, 1982, he destroyed in four round the American champion Manny Johnston who was world champion of Full Contact, Toshio Fujiwara wins again the belt of world champion in Thai boxing.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AGAINST MANNY JOHNSTON

On July 25th, he beats Younger Funaki by KO in the fifth round and on November 20th Tsubasa Goro in the third round.

On January 7th, 1983, he puts KO Dan Masabatsu in the fourth round.

For his last fight, on February 5th, 1983, in Korakuen Hall of Tokyo, Toshio Fujiwara meets a young Japanese very strong champion who is called Adachi Hidéo. Toshio Fujiwara loses first round in points but he puts finally his fellow countryman KO in the third round. Toshio Fujiwara definitively retires boxing rings in 35 years…

TOSHIO FUJIWARA RECEIVES A TROPHY FOR HIS CAREER DURING HIS LAST FIGHT, HIS WOMAN AKIKO AND HIS DAUGHTER SACHIKO ARE AT HIS SIDES. THE CHAMPION RIGHT TO A CEREMONY OF FAREWELLS WITH THE JAPANESE HONORS WHO ARE TEN STRUCK ON THE BELL OF THE GONG

Toshio Fujiwara, during his career in Thai boxing, faced 109 Thai fighters, he beat 77 by KO and 19 by points, he lost in points against 7 Thai and by referee stop against 5 Thai, and he made a draw. He met 30 Japanese fighters with 20 victories by KO, 8 wins on points, a defeat by referee stop and a draw. Finally, Toshio Fujiwara brought down by KO two American champions!

He made all his fights in the category of – 61 Kg. Toshio Fujiwara fought only in Japan and Thailand. Thailand is the only foreign country where it has fought. He practically did all his great matches in Thailand and when he was going to prepare himself in Thailand, he went to the camp of the famous Put Laolek, a camp that Put Laolek had opened at the time, in the suburbs of Bangkok.

TOSHIO FUJIWARA WAS ALSO STRONG WITH HIS TECHNIQUES OF LEGS AS WITH HIS TECHNIQUES OF FISTS

His fighting number is 141 fights for 126 wins with 13 losses and 2 draws. Toshio Fujiwara won 99 fights by knockout, including 16 in the first round, a real record. He won the Ratchadamnoen stadium belt, four times the World Championship belt and seven times the Japanese championship title. This great Japanese champion has marked the history of Muay Thai forever!

TOSHIO FUJIWARA IN ACTION

In 1997, Toshio Fujiwara went up his gym and named it “Fujiwara Gym”, the gym is in the district from Arakawa to Tokyo. He formed many champions, one of his most famous pupils is Satoshi Kobayashi (World champion WKA, world champion WPKC), a formidable fighter who beat by KO the great champions Jean-Charles Skarbowsky, Tepparit Por Tawatchai and Yigin Osman and faced the Thai terror such as Buakaw, Samkor, Namsaknoi.

Toshio Fujiwara also formed Japanese champions such as Masahiro Yamamoto, Satoru Sayama, Sanshu Tsubakichi, Takaaki Nakamura, Takeshi Shimizu and Masaharu Suzuki.

TOTOSHIO FUJIWARA WITH STUDENT MASAHIRO YAMAMOTO WHO WAS CHAMPION OF THE WORLD IT’S SHOW TIME IN 2012

TOSHIO FUJIWARA WITH HIS STUDENTS TAKAAKI NAKAMURA (BLUE SHORT), SATOSHI KOBAYASHI (BLACK PANTS)

TOSHIO FUJIWARA WITH ITS TWO BIG CHAMPIONS SATOSHI KOBAYASHI AND MASAHIRO YAMAMOTO

Toshio Fujiwara is an immense star in his country. In the 90s, when smart phone cards were sold by one million copies, Toshio Fujiwara had his photo on phone cards in Japan. So, stamps were also made in the effigy of this icon of the boxing.

Toshio Fujiwara was twice elected ” sportsman of the year ” in his country. In Japan, this unique award is offered most of the time to the champions of the disciplines stars of Japan where are the sumo, the judo, the soccer and the baseball.

TOSHIO FUJIWARA ELECTED ” SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR “

Most of the sportsmen of the year are sumo wrestlers (Champion of Sumo), judokas, soccer players or baseballeurs (Champion of Baseball). But Toshio Fujiwara in his discipline is an exceptional champion who was even received by emperor Hirohito personally!

TOSHIO FUJIWARA ALWAYS HAD THE CLASS ON THE RING

ROB KAMAN, BADR HARI, TOSHIO FUJIWARA, THREE RINGS LEGEND GENERATIONS

TOSHIO FUJIWARA WITH THE WORLD STAR BUAKAW

TOSHIO FUJIWARA WITH THE STAR OF THE K1 GIORGIO PETROSYAN

SOON 70 YEARS THE MASTER IS ALWAYS ON FORM

TOSHIO FUJIWARA OFTEN HIT THE HEADLINES SPECIALIZED MAGAZINES

Master Zeitoun was the first foreign trainer to make come legendary Toshio Fujiwara in Europe in 1999, it was the first time when the Japanese champion travelled outside Asia. Toshio Fujiwara stayed 15 days in France, he made several seminars on Paris and also in Province in particular in city of Toulouse. On October 16th, 1999, he was one of the big guests of the show of the Martial arts in the Floral park from Vincennes to Paris, the champion was also received to the embassy of Japan.

POSTER OF SEMINAR WITH TOSHIO FUJIWARA IN FRANCE IN 1999

For the birthday of his 70 years, in March, 2018, Toshio Fujiwara will be again in France, invited by his friend Andre Zeitoun.

Toshio Fujiwara and Andre Zeitoun met the first time in Japan in 1993, since they became great friends. Andre Zeitoun trained several times in the gym of Toshio Fujiwara in Japan.

ANDRE ZEITOUN WITH HIS MASTER FUJIWARA IN HIS GYM IN TOKYO

The Japanese champion revealed to him full of secrets on Muay Thai, besides techniques, he has him learnt to breathe also how well in fight or how to knock on the sensitive vital points.

During them numerous dinners, Master’s Fujiwara told many important moments of his career, rites and small tricks. As when he prepared his bag before going to make a fight. ” It’s necessary to take your things of boxing and to put them with the smile one by one in your bag, have you to be happy to go to fight” say Toshio Fujiwara.

So, “when you arrive in front of the surrounding wall where you are going to fight, you stops you one moment and you visualize all the space of the place, as the eagle which would overfly his space where he will attack his prey. You have to monopolize this place, this space has to be yours”, “There are people who look themselves all their for life, me I found myself as soon as I entered in the dojo of my master Kurosaki, you should not wait to find his way”, sentences full of wisdoms that Andre Zeitoun recorded in his spirit with a lot of attention.

Thanks to Toshio Fujiwara, Andre Zeitoun was able to make fight two of his best pupils, Jean-Charles Skarbowsky and Mustapha Totof Youcef, in the famous Korakuen Hall of Tokyo. Jean-Charles Skarbowsky is going to fight three times in Japan with two victories, one by KO and one in points, and a defeat by KO against a pupil to Toshio Fujiwara. Mustapha Totof Youcef is going to gain his fight at points against a Japanese champion.

Andre Zeitoun and Toshio Fujiwara had several crunchy anecdotes together.

When Toshio Fujiwara came in 1999 to Paris, Andre Zeitoun had invited him in a event organized by Rachid Saadi where Jean-Charles Skarbowsky had beaten by KO the Thai Banca Pudying. Andre Zeitoun had reserve a surprise for Toshio Fujiwara because he had sent discreetly the champion Pud Pad Noy Woorawut, without it informed Japanese.

During the event, Rachid Saadi and Andre Zeitoun raised the former two opponents on the boxing ring to offer them a trophy. It was a big surprise for Toshio Fujiwara who hugged for a long time Pud Pad Noy, both men respect enormously!

ANDRE ZEITOUN WITH THE TWO LIVING LEGENDS TOSHIO FUJIWARA AND PUD PAD NOY WOORAWUT DURING THE DELIVERY OF THEIR TROPHY RECEIVED IN 1999 IN PARIS

In 2000, Andre Zeitoun is in Thailand with his pupil Jean-Charles Skarbowsky who is going to fight in the King’s birthday in Bangkok against the champion Robert Kaennorasing. Toshio Fujiwara is invited in this big pugilistique event of the year in Thailand because there were three big Japanese champions who fought in this official reception, Masato Kobayashi, Satoru Suzuki and Katsuya Kusumoto.

Both friends decide to find themselves in the stadium of Lumpinee before the official reception of the King’s Birthday. In the stadium, Andre Zeitoun sits next to Toshio Fujiwara. This evening there, in the stadium of Lumpinee, there were many of the former glories of boxing rings, stars such as Put Laolek (Best boxer of year 1974), Apidej Sit Hirun (Best boxer of the century), Samart Payakaroon (Best boxer of year 1981, 1983, 1988), Dieselnoi Ha Phalang (Best boxer of year 1982), Vicharnoi Porntawee (Best boxer of year 1977), and many others. All these icons came, each their turn, to greet Master’s Fujiwara. Andre Zeitoun was touched by seeing the respect which granted these stars of the Muay Thai to his friend Toshio Fujiwara.

Toshio Fujiwara likes very much his French friend, to such a point that he gave him one of his most precious objects of his fabulous career, his pair of shorts of Muay Thai with which he became a champion of the stadium of Ratchadamnoen. Toshio Fujiwara also offered a golden watch with his name engraved above to his friend Andre Zeitoun. These two great men built up to themselves an eternal friendship!

THE STAR OF K1 JEROME LE BANNER, TOSHIO FUJIWARA AND ANDRE ZEITOUN