Toki Tamaru

Toki Tamaru (born February 6, 2002) is a Japanese kickboxer, currently competing in the super flyweight division of RISE. He is the former RISE Flyweight champion, the former RISE Super Flyweight champion and the RISE -54 kg World Series Tournament Winner.

As of January 2024, he is ranked as the eighth-best flyweight (-53 kg), third-best super flyweight (-55 kg) and the fourth-best pound-for-pound kickboxer in the world by Beyond Kick.

Kickboxing career

He made his RISE debut against Shota Toyama. Toki defeated Toyama by decision. Tamaru had his second fight with RISE during RISE 126, when he fought KING Takeshi. Tamaru beat him by decision. He fought Yuya Hayashi during RISE 127. Tamaru won the fight by decision.

Toki faced Azusa Kaneko for the inaugural RISE Super Flyweight championship at RISE 128 on November 2, 2018. Tamaru won the fight by unanimous decision. Two of the judges scored the fight 49–45 in his favor, while the third judge scored bout 50–44 for him. Tamaru knocked Kaneko down once, with a left hook in the third round.

After winning the title, Tamaru faced Kazuki in a non-title bout, at RISE 130 on February 3, 2019. Tamaru won the fight knockout, dropping Kazuki with a left straight less than two minutes into the fight.

Tamaru made his first title defense against the second ranked RISE super flyweight contender Jin Mandokoro at RISE 132 on May 19, 2019. Tamaru won the fight by unanimous decision, with two scorecards of 49–48 and one scorecard of 50–48.

Following his first successful title defense, Tamaru faced the reigning RISE Bantamweight champion Masahiko Suzuki in a non-title bout at Rise World Series 2019 Final Round on September 16, 2019. Tamaru's ten fight winning streak came to an end, as Suzuki won the fight by an extra round decision.

Tamaru faced Masaking in another non-title bout at Rise on Abema on July 12, 2020. Tamaru won the fight by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the fight 30–28 in his favor.

Tamaru was booked to make his second title defense against Kazuki Osaki at RISE 142 on September 4, 2020. Osaki won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 49–47, 49–47 and 50–47.

Tamaru was booked to fight Jin Mandokoro in the quarterfinals of the 2021 RISE Dead or Alive 53 kg Tournament. The two of them previously faced each other on May 19, 2019, with Tamaru winning by unanimous decision. He lost the rematch by unanimous decision, with scores of 30–27, 30–27 and 30–28.

Tamaru was booked to face Kuryu at RISE 157 on April 24, 2022, in the semifinals of the 2022 RISE flyweight tournament, which was held to crown the inaugural RISE flyweight champion. The fight ended in a no contest in the first round due to doctor stoppage following a head clash in which Tamaru got his nose broken. The bout was rescheduled for RISE 161, which took place on August 28, 2022, but was postponed on August 17, as Kuryu withdrew after contracting COVID-19. The bout was later scrapped and Tamaru was instead booked to face Riku Kazushima for the inaugural RISE Flyweight (-51.5 kg) title at RISE 162 on October 30, 2022. Tamaru captured the title by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the bout 49–48 in his favor.

Tamaru faced Khunsuknoy Boomdeksean at RISE 164 on January 28, 2023, in his return to the super flyweight division. He won the fight by majority decision, with scores of 30–29, 29–29 and 30–28.

Tamaru faced Kazane Nagai in a -54 kg catchweight bout, which served as a qualifier for the 2023 RISE World Series, at RISE EL DORADO 2023 on March 26, 2023. He won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 30–29, 30–29 and 30–28.

Tamaru faced Petchsila Wor.Auracha in the quarterfinals of the 2023 RISE -54 kg World Series at RISE World Series 2023 - 1st Round on July 2, 2023. He won the fight by a first-round knockout. Tamaru dropped Petchsilla to the canvas with a well-place knee to the liver, which left the Thai fighter unable to beat the count with three seconds to spare in the opening round. Tamaru advanced to the tournament semifinals, held on August 26, where he faced the RISE Super Flyweight champion Kazuki Osaki. He won the fight by majority decision, with scores of 30–28, 29–29 and 30–29.

Tamaru vacated the RISE Flyweight (-51.5 kg) Championship on September 14, 2023, in order to move up in weight. Tamaru faced Kumandoi Petchyindee Academy in the World Series final at RISE World Series 2023 - Final Round on December 16, 2023. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Tamaru challenged the RISE Bantamweight (-55kg) World champion Shiro at RISE ELDORADO 2024 on March 17, 2024. The fight ended in a no-contest, as an accidental clash of heads left Shiro unable to continue competing.

Tamaru faced Hyeonwoo Jung at RISE WORLD SERIES 2024 OSAKA on June 15, 2024. He won the fight by knockout less than one minute into the fight.

Tamaru challenged the RISE Bantamweight (-55kg) World champion Shiro for the second time at RISE WORLD SERIES 2024 YOKOHAMA on September 8, 2024. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Titles and accomplishments

• RISE
  • 2018 RISE Super Flyweight (-53 kg) Championship (One defense)
  • 2022 RISE Flyweight (-51.5 kg) Championship
  • 2023 RISE -54 kg World Series Tournament Winner
  • 2023 RISE "Fighter of the Year"

• Martial Arts Japan Kickboxing Federation
  • 2012 MA Jr. Kick -28 kg Champion
• BigBang
  • 2012 Bigbang -28 kg Champion
  • 2012 Bigbang -31 kg Champion
  • 2013 Bigbang -34 kg Champion
  • 2013 Bigbang -37 kg Tournament Champion
  • 2014 Bigbang -37 kg Champion
  • 2014 Bigbang -40 kg Champion
  • 2015 BigBang -50 kg Champion
  • 2016 Bigbang -55 kg Champion
• Shootboxing
  • 2014 Shootboxing All Japan Junior -45 kg Champion
• RISE
  • 2015 KAMINARIMON All Japan Junior -55 kg Champion
• J-NETWORK
  • 2016 J-NETWORK Bantamweight Tournament Champion
• K-1
  • 2016 K-1 All Japan A-Class -55 kg Champion

• Combat Press
  • 2023 Kickboxing Awards Fighter Of The Year
• efight
  • efight "Fighter of the Month"

Fight record