Yoshihiro Akiyama

About Yoshihiro Akiyama

Yoshihiro Akiyama is a South Korean-Japanese mixed martial artist and judoka. Akiyama won the gold medal at the 2001 Asian Championships for South Korea, and for Japan at the 2002 Asian Games. A fourth-generation Japanese of Korean descent, he acquired Japanese nationality in 2001. He is the former K-1 HERO's Light Heavyweight Grand Prix Tournament Champion.

Career Highlights:

Before his professional mixed martial arts career, Akiyama was a decorated judoka.He began training in judo at the age of three. He has also trained Karate, Boxing, Kickboxing, Wrestling and also submission fighting with Greg Jackson.

2001 Asian championships:

Representing South Korea, Akiyama won the Gold Medal at the 2001 Asian Judo Championships.

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 gi, Akiyama lost two games in a row (semifinal and 3rd-place match) and missed the medal.

Yoshihiro Akiyama Achievements

Championships and Accomplishments:

HERO'S

• K-1 HERO Light Heavyweight Grand Prix World Champion
  

Ultimate Fighting Championship

• Fight of the Night (3 Times)
  

HOV-MMA.com

• 2010 Fight of the Year vs. Chris Leben at UFC 116
  

Records:

• All-Japan Collegiate Separate Weight Divisions 2nd Place 2004
  
• 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