How Nadaka Yoshinari Became Japan’s Leading Muay Thai Force
Read the 24-year-old's rise in "The Art of Eight Limbs" as he gets ready to create history at ONE 173 in Tokyo.
By Chris Mohan
Oct 30, 2025, 06:53 UTC
At just 24 years old, 10-time Muay Thai World Champion Nadaka has already accomplished what most fighters only dream of achieving in an entire career.
He stands as one of the most decorated non-Thai fighters in the history of “the art of eight limbs,” boasting a trophy cabinet filled with Rajadamnern Stadium, Lumpinee Stadium, WBC, and WMC belts. Yet for all those achievements, the biggest prize still awaits.
At ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, live from Ariake Arena in Tokyo, the Japanese warrior will face Thailand’s Numsurin Chor Ketwina for the inaugural ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Title.
This moment represents the culmination of a journey that began when Nadaka was just a child, and his relentless pursuit of perfection has fueled a 39-fight six-year unbeaten streak heading into this massive clash.
Before he attempts to become his nation’s first ONE Championship Muay Thai World Champion, here’s how he became a force to be reckoned with in Muay Thai.
The Foundation Of Excellence
Nadaka’s martial arts journey started with karate at age four — a base that still lives in his muscle memory today, influencing his movements in ways both subtle and profound.
The kicks, the footwork, and the explosive movements drilled into him as a young boy served as the blueprint that made him Japan’s top Muay Thai export.
He told onefc.com:
“Some of those karate movements and kicking techniques are still with me. Movements that you practice when you’re young tend to become ingrained in your muscle memory. Even as an adult, you are able to replicate them as if they were second nature to you.”
By his third year of primary school, at the age of nine, Nadaka had transitioned to kickboxing. Over five years as an amateur, he collected 17 titles alongside an even more impressive resume — 80 wins, 13 losses, and two draws.
But the moment that would change everything came when he was 11 years old. He went on his first trip to Thailand, the birthplace of Muay Thai.
The atmosphere, the tradition, the raw authenticity resonated with the Kanagawa native on a profound level. From that moment on, he fully committed himself to the sport.
Upon his return home, he joined Eiwa Sports Gym in Yokohama, a place rich with Thai trainers who brought authentic techniques and traditions from their country to Japan.
His primary instructor was Khundong Por Thawatchai. Under his tutelage, the young Nadaka was molded in the traditional Thai style.
But what truly set him apart wasn’t just the quality of his training. It was his approach to learning — distinct methodology instilled by the gym’s founder and president, Natsuo Nakagawa, that would prove transformative.
He recalled:
“The gym where I primarily trained had many Thai trainers. So I learned a lot of Muay Thai techniques. That’s one reason I started using techniques a bit different from typical Japanese fighters.
“Another factor is that President Nakagawa told me from a young age to watch lots of fight footage. I watched countless fights by fighters I admired and tried to mimic them from a very young age. I really feel that approach has made me who I am today.”
The Turning Point That Changed Everything
Success never runs in a straight line, and Nadaka’s path to greatness has been no exception.
His devotion to Muay Thai led him to continue his studies by correspondence, enrolling at Renaissance High School. The plan was to train twice daily, morning and night.
But plans and execution are two different things:
“Originally, in junior high, I went to a regular school where I practiced at night. I had actually envisioned practicing both morning and night, but in the early days, I didn’t really practice much in the morning.
“I had this lax attitude like, ‘Well, I’ll just practice at night, right?’ So, I think it was precisely because I went through that period where things weren’t going well that I started practicing diligently both morning and night. That was a big factor.”
Though he enjoyed a victorious pro-debut inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium at the age of 14, he soon absorbed three defeats in his next seven fights.
Those setbacks became the catalyst for transformation. Nadaka started showing up for morning training. He began thinking critically about every aspect of his technique, conditioning, strategy, and mindset.
The Muay Thai fighter reflected:
“Yeah, it was a turning point [when I suffered my defeats]. That’s when I really started reevaluating my training regimen, learning to properly think for myself and structure my practice.
“It was in high school that I moved beyond just doing the drills I was told to do and started adding my own extra elements to the training. I think that’s when I really started making significant progress.”
Despite the demanding training schedule, Nadaka managed to complete his education, completing his third-year diploma – the equivalent of graduating from high school in Japan, all while flying back and forth from Japan and Thailand between training camps.
It was a testament to his ability to balance competing priorities and his determination to succeed both in and out of the ring.
Making History On Sacred Ground
From that crucible of early professional defeats emerged an elite striker who would go on to compile one of the most impressive winning streaks in Muay Thai history.
But Nadaka’s transformation wasn’t just about winning more fights. It was about how he won them.
In a sport where many lean on their strengths, the young gun pursued versatility to ensure he left no weaknesses for opponents to exploit.
The 24-year-old shared:
“My ideal fighting style is one where I can do everything – kicks, punches, clinching, elbows, knees, anything. That’s my ultimate goal for my fighting style. Now, I’m incorporating boxing training thoroughly to [complete my arsenal].”
His reward for all the sacrifices and attention to detail was total domination.
At age 16 in 2017, Nadaka became Japan’s youngest-ever Muay Thai World Champion when he captured the WMC strap at 100 pounds by knocking out Thailand’s Yaksaed Siriluck Muaythai in Tokyo.
In April the following year, the fighting pride of Eiwa Sports Gym won the WBC World Title at 105 pounds. Five months later, he claimed the IBF title at 105 pounds with another knockout.
In recognition of his dominance, the Kanagawa native was elected “Best Boxer of the Year 2018” by WBC — a remarkable honor for an 18-year-old.
But the biggest moments were yet to come.
He accomplished the remarkable feat of holding both Rajadamnern Stadium and Lumpinee Stadium World Championship gold simultaneously at 105 pounds in 2019, becoming only the second non-Thai in history to achieve such a distinction.
Then, he conquered two additional divisions at Rajadamnern — 112 and 115 pounds — to become the only non-Thai fighter to accomplish that feat.
By the time he turned 24, Nadaka had accumulated 10 Muay Thai World Titles across five different weight divisions. More impressively, he hadn’t tasted defeat since July 2019.
The Quest For ONE Championship Gold
After years of dominance in traditional Muay Thai circuits, Nadaka was eager to claim the sport’s biggest prize inside the Circle.
ONE represented the pinnacle of competition — a global stage where the world’s best strikers compete for glory.
He reflected:
“Over the course of my career, I have notched achievements no other non-Thai fighter has ever been capable of, winning titles in three different weight classes. In view of this context and trajectory of my career, I tried to set new goals and ONE Championship really stood out.
“It’s a top-tier organization where the best stand-up fighters and MMA fighters from around the world compete. I feel it’s the perfect stage for me to prove my skills I’ve cultivated so far.”
Thus far, he’s enjoyed a dream start in the world’s largest martial arts organization, taking his winning streak to 39 in a row with three consecutive triumphs, including a pair of knockouts against Rak Erawan at ONE 172 and Hamada “Black Panther” Azmadi at ONE Friday Fights 122.
Now, the biggest test awaits.
On November 16, inside Tokyo’s Ariake Arena, Nadaka faces Numsurin with the chance to capture the inaugural ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Championship, which would make him the first Japanese fighter to win ONE Muay Thai gold.
The moment isn’t lost on the 10-time Muay Thai king, who’s fired up to add another feather to his cap:
“Winning the ONE belt would be a huge asset for me. I’m approaching this fight determined to give everything I’ve got.
“If I can show everything I’ve got in this fight, then I think I can create a very unique milestone. I want to show my unique style that only I can bring. The desire [to put on a show] is incredibly strong.”
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