Hiroshi Izumi ( born June 22, 1982 in
Shimokita District Aomori
is the capital city of Aomori Prefecture, in the Tōhoku region of Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 278,964 in 136,457 households, and a population density of 340 people per square kilometer spread over the city's total area of ...
) is a Japanese
judoka
is an unarmed modern Japanese martial art, Olympic sport (since 1964), and the most prominent form of jacket wrestling competed internationally.『日本大百科全書』電子版【柔道】(CD-ROM version of Encyclopedia Nipponica, "Judo"). ...
and
mixed martial artist
Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, incorp ...
. He has fought in
World Victory Road
World Victory Road (WVR) is a defunct Japanese mixed martial arts (MMA) organization which promoted the Sengoku Raiden Championship (SRC) in Japan. The organization was formed in 2007 following the purchase of PRIDE FC by Zuffa. It operated in ...
and had a one-fight stint in the
Dream
A dream is a succession of images, ideas, emotions, and sensations that usually occur involuntarily in the mind during certain stages of sleep. Humans spend about two hours dreaming per night, and each dream lasts around 5 to 20 minutes, althou ...
promotion for the
Dream Light Heavyweight Championship. Izumi also appeared in both
Dynamite!! 2009
''Dynamite!! 2009'' was a mixed martial arts and kickboxing events promoted by Fighting and Entertainment Group, held in the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan on December 31, 2009. The event included bouts that encompass the DREAM, Sengoku ...
and
Dynamite!! 2010
''Dynamite!! 2010'' was a mixed martial arts and kickboxing event in the annual New Year's Eve event promoted by Fighting and Entertainment Group that took place on December 31, 2010 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The event include ...
New Year's Eve events.
Background
Izumi, was born in
Aomori, Japan
is a prefecture of Japan in the Tōhoku region. The prefecture's capital, largest city, and namesake is the city of Aomori. Aomori is the northernmost prefecture on Japan's main island, Honshu, and is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the eas ...
and comes from a fishing family in the
Shimokita Peninsula. His father, who can often be seen spectating his son's
judo
is an unarmed gendai budō, modern Japanese martial art, Olympic sport (since 1964), and the most prominent form of jacket wrestling competed internationally.『日本大百科全書』電子版【柔道】(CD-ROM version of Encyclopedia Nipponi ...
and
MMA
Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on strike (attack), striking, grappling and ground f ...
matches, still fishes for
bluefin tuna Bluefin tuna is a common name used to refer to several species of tuna of the genus ''Thunnus
''Thunnus'' is a genus of ocean-dwelling, ray-finned bony fish from the mackerel family, Scombridae. More specifically, ''Thunnus'' is one of five ...
at over 70 years of age. Izumi began judo at a young age and is known as a very accomplished
judoka
is an unarmed modern Japanese martial art, Olympic sport (since 1964), and the most prominent form of jacket wrestling competed internationally.『日本大百科全書』電子版【柔道】(CD-ROM version of Encyclopedia Nipponica, "Judo"). ...
, winning the men's -90 kg category silver medal at the
Athens Olympics in 2004 and the gold medal at the
World Judo Championship Games in
Cairo, Egypt
Cairo ( ; ar, القاهرة, al-Qāhirah, ) is the capital of Egypt and its largest city, home to 10 million people. It is also part of the largest urban agglomeration in Africa, the Arab world and the Middle East: The Greater Cairo metro ...
in 2005.
Mixed Martial Arts
Izumi made his mixed martial arts debut against New Zealand
kickboxing
Kickboxing is a combat sports, combat sport focused on kicking and punch (strike), punching. The combat takes place in a boxing ring, normally with boxing gloves, mouthguards, shorts, and bare feet to favour the use of kicks. Kickboxing is pract ...
specialist,
Antz Nansen
Anthony "Antz" Nansen (born 12 March 1983) is a New Zealand professional boxer, kickboxer, mixed martial artist
Career
Nansen practiced Kung Fu as a child and grew up playing rugby league. He began training in kickboxing at the age of 21. He ...
for Japan's
Sengoku
The was a period in Japanese history of near-constant civil war and social upheaval from 1467 to 1615.
The Sengoku period was initiated by the Ōnin War in 1467 which collapsed the feudal system of Japan under the Ashikaga shogunate. Various ...
promotion in September 2009 after Izumi signed with
World Victory Road
World Victory Road (WVR) is a defunct Japanese mixed martial arts (MMA) organization which promoted the Sengoku Raiden Championship (SRC) in Japan. The organization was formed in 2007 following the purchase of PRIDE FC by Zuffa. It operated in ...
. Instead of using his
judo
is an unarmed gendai budō, modern Japanese martial art, Olympic sport (since 1964), and the most prominent form of jacket wrestling competed internationally.『日本大百科全書』電子版【柔道】(CD-ROM version of Encyclopedia Nipponi ...
techniques to his advantage during his debut, Izumi attempted to trade punches with the world-class striker. Izumi was beaten badly in his debut and lost the fight by
TKO.
After his poor performance in his debut, Izumi began turning his mixed martial arts career around. At
Dynamite!! 2009
''Dynamite!! 2009'' was a mixed martial arts and kickboxing events promoted by Fighting and Entertainment Group, held in the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan on December 31, 2009. The event included bouts that encompass the DREAM, Sengoku ...
, representing
Sengoku
The was a period in Japanese history of near-constant civil war and social upheaval from 1467 to 1615.
The Sengoku period was initiated by the Ōnin War in 1467 which collapsed the feudal system of Japan under the Ashikaga shogunate. Various ...
, he won via unanimous decision over
Katsuyori Shibata
is a Japanese professional wrestler, mixed martial artist and professional wrestling trainer. In professional wrestling, he is known for his hard hitting offense. He is currently working for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). In NJPW, he is a f ...
. After being dominated through the first few rounds, Izumi came back in the second half of the very final round, landing a great sequence of punches and controlling Shibata on the ground, where he utilized many hammerfists. This win was very significant because Izumi's father was vocal in saying that if Izumi was defeated again, that he would take his son out of
MMA
Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on strike (attack), striking, grappling and ground f ...
and return to judo.
Izumi followed this win up with 3 more wins, including one at
Dynamite!! 2010
''Dynamite!! 2010'' was a mixed martial arts and kickboxing event in the annual New Year's Eve event promoted by Fighting and Entertainment Group that took place on December 31, 2010 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The event include ...
, against former
PRIDE
Pride is defined by Merriam-Webster as "reasonable self-esteem" or "confidence and satisfaction in oneself". A healthy amount of pride is good, however, pride sometimes is used interchangeably with "conceit" or "arrogance" (among other words) wh ...
veteran and
Dream Super Hulk Tournament Champion Ikuhisa Minowa
is a Japanese mixed martial artist and professional wrestler currently competing in IGF as . A professional MMA competitor since 1996, he was a longtime veteran of PRIDE and Pancrase and has also competed in other mixed martial arts promotions ...
by
TKO. This is perhaps the biggest win of Izumi's career to date.
Izumi then earned a title shot at
Gegard Mousasi
Gegard Mousasi (born 1 August 1985), is a Dutch mixed martial artist and former kickboxer, currently competing in Bellator MMA, where he is the former two-time Bellator Middleweight Champion. As of December 13, 2022, he is #10 in the Bellator MMA ...
for the
Dream Light Heavyweight Championship, but lost by
TKO.
Mixed martial arts record
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 4-2
,
Gegard Mousasi
Gegard Mousasi (born 1 August 1985), is a Dutch mixed martial artist and former kickboxer, currently competing in Bellator MMA, where he is the former two-time Bellator Middleweight Champion. As of December 13, 2022, he is #10 in the Bellator MMA ...
, TKO (punches)
,
Dream: Japan GP Final
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 3:28
,
Tokyo
Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...
, Japan
, For
Dream Light Heavyweight Championship
, -
, Win
, align=center, 4-1
,
Ikuhisa Minowa
is a Japanese mixed martial artist and professional wrestler currently competing in IGF as . A professional MMA competitor since 1996, he was a longtime veteran of PRIDE and Pancrase and has also competed in other mixed martial arts promotions ...
, TKO (punches)
,
Dynamite!! 2010
''Dynamite!! 2010'' was a mixed martial arts and kickboxing event in the annual New Year's Eve event promoted by Fighting and Entertainment Group that took place on December 31, 2010 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The event include ...
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 2:50
,
Saitama, Saitama
is the capital and the most populous city of Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Its area incorporates the former cities of Urawa, Ōmiya, Yono and Iwatsuki. It is a city designated by government ordinance. Being in the Greater Tokyo Area and lying 1 ...
, Japan
, Openweight bout
, -
, Win
, align=center, 3-1
, James Zikic
, Decision (split)
,
World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships 15
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Tokyo
Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 2-1
, Chang Seob Lee
, TKO (punches)
,
World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships 13
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 4:37
,
Tokyo
Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 1-1
,
Katsuyori Shibata
is a Japanese professional wrestler, mixed martial artist and professional wrestling trainer. In professional wrestling, he is known for his hard hitting offense. He is currently working for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). In NJPW, he is a f ...
, Decision (unanimous)
,
Dynamite!! 2009
''Dynamite!! 2009'' was a mixed martial arts and kickboxing events promoted by Fighting and Entertainment Group, held in the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan on December 31, 2009. The event included bouts that encompass the DREAM, Sengoku ...
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Saitama, Saitama
is the capital and the most populous city of Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Its area incorporates the former cities of Urawa, Ōmiya, Yono and Iwatsuki. It is a city designated by government ordinance. Being in the Greater Tokyo Area and lying 1 ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 0-1
,
Antz Nansen
Anthony "Antz" Nansen (born 12 March 1983) is a New Zealand professional boxer, kickboxer, mixed martial artist
Career
Nansen practiced Kung Fu as a child and grew up playing rugby league. He began training in kickboxing at the age of 21. He ...
, TKO (punches)
,
World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 10
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 2:56
,
Saitama, Saitama
is the capital and the most populous city of Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Its area incorporates the former cities of Urawa, Ōmiya, Yono and Iwatsuki. It is a city designated by government ordinance. Being in the Greater Tokyo Area and lying 1 ...
, Japan
,
References
External links
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Izumi, Hiroshi
1982 births
Living people
Japanese male judoka
Judoka at the 2004 Summer Olympics
Judoka at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Olympic judoka of Japan
Olympic silver medalists for Japan
Sportspeople from Aomori Prefecture
Japanese male mixed martial artists
Light heavyweight mixed martial artists
Heavyweight mixed martial artists
Mixed martial artists utilizing judo
Olympic medalists in judo
World judo champions
Medalists at the 2004 Summer Olympics
Asian Games medalists in judo
Judoka at the 2006 Asian Games
Asian Games bronze medalists for Japan
Medalists at the 2006 Asian Games
Universiade medalists in judo
Universiade gold medalists for Japan
Medalists at the 2003 Summer Universiade