Hyu

Hyu‘s path to kickboxing glory began not in a boxing gym, but on the traditional mats of a karate dojo in Osaka, Japan. Following in his older brother’s footsteps, the youngest of three siblings started practicing karate at just 8 years old, quickly discovering a natural aptitude for martial arts that would define his life.

What started as childhood lessons evolved into competitive excellence as Hyu dominated Japan’s full-contact karate scene throughout his youth. He collected medals across multiple prestigious tournaments, ultimately earning his black belt and capturing the coveted All-Japan title. But rather than rest on his accomplishments, the ambitious young martial artist made a bold decision that would reshape his career trajectory.

Having conquered karate’s highest peaks in Japan, Hyu decided to test himself in an entirely new discipline. At 19, he made the calculated leap to professional kickboxing, determined to prove his martial arts mastery could transcend traditional boundaries. The transition proved seamless as he won his first eight professional bouts, catching the attention of ONE Championship.

Since joining ONE’s talent-laden roster, the Osaka native has been nothing short of spectacular. Hyu scored three consecutive victories, including two highlight-reel knockouts that showcased his devastating finishing ability. His breakout performance came with a sensational first-round knee knockout of Zakaria El Jamari after by a bonus-earning second-round TKO of Leandro Miranda that demonstrated his evolution from karate point-fighter to knockout artist.

Training out of Osaka’s TEAM3K while also working remotely with the renowned Team Mehdi Zatout, Hyu has developed a unique fighting style that blends his karate foundation with modern kickboxing techniques. His lightning-fast left body kicks and accurate southpaw cross have become signatures, complemented by spectacular techniques like rolling thunder and spinning back kicks that reflect his traditional martial arts background.

Hyu represents the new generation of Japanese martial artists ready to make their mark on the global stage and stands poised to fulfill his stated goal of proving his place among the world’s elite flyweight kickboxers.