Discover the story of Itsuki Hirata, a rising star in ONE Championship, as she overcomes weight struggles and aims for success in the world of mixed martial arts.
Itsuki Hirata, a rising star in the world of mixed martial arts, has faced numerous challenges throughout her career. Despite setbacks with weight cuts and criticism from opponents, the 23-year-old fighter remains determined to reach her full potential.
Hirata recently took to social media to share some photos of herself enjoying a day at the beach. The young athlete looked radiant in a brand new snake skin bikini, showcasing her confidence and carefree spirit. With over 275,000 followers on Instagram, Hirata has become a successful online influencer in addition to her fighting career.
However, being in the public eye has its downsides. Last year, Hirata faced a barrage of negative comments after failing to make weight for a fight against Seo Hee Ham. This was not the first time she had struggled with weight cuts, and Ham ultimately refused to face her in the cage. The two fighters finally met at ONE Fight Night 8, where Hirata suffered a loss by decision. Despite the defeat, she successfully made weight and passed all pre-fight checks.
Hirata’s journey in ONE Championship has been a rollercoaster ride. Initially, she showcased her potential by winning her first five fights in the promotion, establishing herself as one of the top prospects in the atomweight division. Unfortunately, illness prevented her from advancing in the atomweight Grand Prix, and she has since experienced two decision losses in her last three bouts. One of her victories came against Heqin Lin, but Hirata faced criticism for missing weight by 2 kilograms.
The weight issues have affected Hirata’s reputation, as some opponents feel disrespected by her failure to meet the required limits. Seo Hee Ham’s refusal to fight her was influenced by Hirata’s repeated weight struggles. Despite these setbacks, Hirata remains optimistic about her future in the sport.
At just 23 years old, Hirata believes her best performances are yet to come. She has already gained valuable experience in the cage, but her last fight against Seo Hee Ham left critics questioning her ambition. Ham, a top-ranked atomweight, defeated Hirata in a title eliminator and will compete for the interim belt in her next bout.
Meanwhile, Hirata is still awaiting her next fight announcement. As time is on her side, she has the opportunity to regroup and come back stronger. Her popularity among fans and her online presence continue to grow, and she hopes to translate that success into sustained victories inside the cage.
Summary
| Key Points |
|---|
| Itsuki Hirata, a rising star in ONE Championship , has faced weight cutting struggles throughout her career. |
| Despite criticism and missed weight cuts, Hirata remains determined to succeed. |
| She has gained a significant following on social media and continues to grow her online presence. |
| Hirata’s recent fight against Seo Hee Ham resulted in a loss by decision. |
| Ham refused to fight Hirata initially due to her weight issues. |
| Despite setbacks, Hirata believes her best performances are yet to come. |
