‘This Team Truly Is A Family’ – Masaaki Noiri On How Bond At Team Vasileus Fuels Their Success
When ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Masaaki Noiri steps inside the Circle at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri, he’ll carry the collective strength of a gym that transformed his life.
The Japanese superstar will attempt to unify the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Championship against reigning titleholder Superbon at Ariake Arena in Tokyo on November 16, with the right to be called the undisputed king hanging in the balance.
Noiri’s path to ONE gold all began when he unassumingly walked through Team Vasileus’ doors in 2022. Early in his career, Noiri operated as a solitary figure who believed success came from individual drive rather than collective support.
The Nagoya native initially joined the unheralded gym to help fellow ONE athlete Takeru “Natural Born Krusher” Segawa prepare for competition.
What started as a training favor evolved into something far more meaningful — a brotherhood that would reshape his entire approach to the sport.
The 32-year-old told onefc.com:
“Honestly, the reason I joined Vasileus and signed with ONE Championship was to achieve my goal of winning the ONE belts with Takeru. Therefore, my current goal is to become the undisputed champion and defend my belt consistently, and help Takeru win his belt too.”
That shared mission became the foundation of something larger. While Noiri stands alone in the ring the moment the bell rings, he knows the value of being surrounded by like-minded warriors who push each other to greatness.
His quest for excellence brought him onto the same path as Takeru and fellow superstar Yuki Yoza under esteemed head trainer Masakazu Watanabe. Those intense sparring sessions became strong ties forged through shared suffering and ambition.
That connection became undeniable when the trio showcased Japanese striking excellence on the global stage and stood in each other’s corners with unwavering dedication.
Now, the once-modest gym has emerged as a powerhouse with elite kickboxers across multiple weight classes. But the secret runs deeper than technical prowess. It’s the unity forged daily in training that carries into every fight.
The interim champion explained:
“This team truly is a family, and we all want to win together. We’re all top fighters who have gathered under one banner as teammates. At the same time, we are also competing with each other.
“The camaraderie and positive spirit of competition enable us to push each other to improve while also showing up day in and day out to support each other.”
At ONE 173, the brotherhood will be tested as all three warriors compete on home soil.
Before Noiri challenges for undisputed status in the main event, Takeru will seek redemption when he takes on Denis “The Bosnian Menace” Puric, while Yoza will do battle with “The Kicking Machine” Superlek in a high-stakes duel.
As one unit, their emotional investment runs deep. When one wins, they all celebrate. When one loses, they all feel it.
Noiri elaborated:
“When one of us wins, we all celebrate as if it were our own victory. Similarly, when one of us loses, we also suffer and grieve together, thinking wholeheartedly about what we need to do next as if it were our own fight.”
Noiri Found His Home At Team Vasileus
Masaaki Noiri discovered his tribe at Team Vasileus, where the four corners of their training space created relationships that transcend the sport itself.
His teammates stood by him through adversity, and when he stumbled to an 0-2 start in the world’s largest martial arts organization, they never doubted him.
That unwavering support fueled his remarkable resurgence, and now he stands one victory away from his ultimate goal.
The interim 155-pound kickboxing king shared:
“I’ve been a member of various gyms throughout my career, but Vasileus is the first place where I truly felt this incredible warmth and rapport as a team.
“For the first time, I have felt the desire to give back to the team more than I’ve received. That’s why I feel like I’m growing every day by coming to the gym.”
That connection extends far beyond the gym walls, transforming teammates into extended family. The Team Vasileus families gather for barbecues at teammates’ homes, their spouses maintain their own friendships — relationships that exist independent of fight camps or competition.
For Noiri, these aren’t just training partners. They’re people he genuinely cares about. That authenticity makes all the difference:
“I just feel so at home and a sense of belonging here. Even when I don’t have a fight coming up, I still want to go to the gym and chat with everyone.
“We have personal relationships, too. We’re not just close at the gym. Here, everyone gets along great outside of training, too. So honestly, they’re all people whom I respect as individuals.”
