Ayaka Hamasaki
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese
female kickboxer and mixed martial artist
. She has fought in MMA promotions Shooto
and Jewels
. Hamasaki won the first Jewels Lightweight Queen tournament to become the first lightweight champion of the promotion.
As of , Hamasaki is ranked as the #4 flyweight (107-115 lb) according to the Unified Women's Mixed Martial Arts Rankings and is ranked #10 pound for pound
by MMARising.com.
, Japan
.
for 8 years, achieving 2nd dan
. She stopped practicing judo after finishing college
and was working in an office. A year and a half later, Hamasaki began training in MMA around 2008, partly for dieting
purposes. She was introduced to the Abe Ani Combat Club
(AACC) by her friend and AACC member Rina Tomita, and although Hamasaki knew about MMA, she was unaware of women's MMA.
Gig Central Vol. 19, defeating Kinuka Sasaki via submission (armbar
) in the second round.
Joining Jewels for the first Lightweight Queen tournament, Hamasaki submitted South Korean kickboxer Han Sol Lee with a keylock in just 48 seconds in the opening round of the tournament at Jewels 9th Ring
on .
At Jewels 11th Ring
on , Hamasaki defeated Sakura Nomura
after three competitive rounds via unanimous decision
in the Lightweight Queen tournament semi-finals. In the same event, Hamasaki defeated South Korean Seo Hee Ham
by unanimous decision, surprising commentators by holding her own in the striking exchanges against the experienced Korean kickboxer. Hamasaki won the tournament in the process and became the first Jewels Lightweight (115 lbs) Queen Champion.
Hamasaki was scheduled to face Lisa Ward
in a non-title bout at Jewels 12th Ring
on in Tokyo, Japan
. However, Ward suffered a calf injury and was forced to withdraw from the fight. Hamasaki was then set to face Jessica Aguilar
at 12th Ring instead, but the event was cancelled after the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
earlier in the day.
Hamasaki faced Mizuki Inoue
in a non-title bout at Jewels 16th Ring
on in Tokyo. She defeated Inoue by unanimous decision.
Hamasaki will defend her Jewels title in a rematch against Seo Hee Ham
at Jewels 17th Ring on .
mini-tournament held at Jewels 10th Ring
on , where she won the tournament by defeating Emi Tomimatsu via armbar submission in the second round and Yuko Oya, also by armbar in the first round.
Hamasaki faced Saori Ishioka
in a grappling match at Jewels 14th Ring on . She won the match by split decision.
| Win
| align=center| 5-0-0
|
Mizuki Inoue
| Decision (3-0)
| Jewels 16th Ring
|
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 5:00
| Koto
, Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
| align=center| 4-0-0
|
Seo Hee Ham
| Decision (3-0)
| Jewels 11th Ring
|
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 5:00
| Bunkyo
, Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
| align=center| 3-0-0
| Sakura Nomura
| Decision (3-0)
| Jewels 11th Ring
|
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 5:00
| Bunkyo
, Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
| align=center| 2-0-0
| Han Sol Lee
| Submission (keylock)
| Jewels 9th Ring
|
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:48
| Kabukicho, Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
| align=center| 1-0-0
| Kinuka Sasaki
| Submission (armbar)
| Shooto Gig Central Vol. 19
|
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 2:00
| Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
, Japan
|
|-
! colspan=2 style="background:#A9A9A9" | Grappling record
|- valign="top"
|
Legend:
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
female kickboxer and mixed martial artist
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
. She has fought in MMA promotions Shooto
Shooto
Shooto is a mixed martial arts organization that is governed by the Shooto Association and the International Shooto Commission. Shooto was originally formed in 1985, as an organization and as a particular fighting system derived from shoot wrestling. Practitioners are referred to as shooters,...
and Jewels
Jewels (mixed martial arts)
Jewels is a mixed martial arts organization owned by Marverous Japan Co., Ltd. focused on female fighters. It's the direct successor of Smackgirl...
. Hamasaki won the first Jewels Lightweight Queen tournament to become the first lightweight champion of the promotion.
As of , Hamasaki is ranked as the #4 flyweight (107-115 lb) according to the Unified Women's Mixed Martial Arts Rankings and is ranked #10 pound for pound
Pound for pound
Pound for pound is a term to describe how any two things compare when bearing in mind their varying quantities; for example, a tin of tomatoes weighing 250 g and costing $2.50 is more expensive, pound for pound, than one weighing 500 g and costing $4 .It is used in combat sports such as boxing or...
by MMARising.com.
Background
Hamasaki was born on March 31, 1982 in Yamaguchi PrefectureYamaguchi Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan in the Chūgoku region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Yamaguchi, in the center of the prefecture. The largest city, however, is Shimonoseki.- History :...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
Martial arts training
Hamasaki practiced judoJudo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
for 8 years, achieving 2nd dan
Dan (rank)
The ranking system is a Japanese mark of level, which is used in modern fine arts and martial arts. Originally invented in a Go school in the Edo period, this system was applied to martial arts by Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo and later introduced to other East Asia countries.In the modern...
. She stopped practicing judo after finishing college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
and was working in an office. A year and a half later, Hamasaki began training in MMA around 2008, partly for dieting
Dieting
Dieting is the practice of eating food in a regulated fashion to achieve or maintain a controlled weight. In most cases dieting is used in combination with physical exercise to lose weight in those who are overweight or obese. Some athletes, however, follow a diet to gain weight...
purposes. She was introduced to the Abe Ani Combat Club
Abe Ani Combat Club
The Abe Ani Combat Club is a mixed martial arts gym and training camp located in Japan. The gym is renowned mostly for its female staple of fighters who were regular competitors in the Smackgirl promotion. On its roster are prominent MMA stars such as Megumi “Mega Megu” Fujii and Hitomi Akano...
(AACC) by her friend and AACC member Rina Tomita, and although Hamasaki knew about MMA, she was unaware of women's MMA.
Mixed martial arts career
Hamasaki made her MMA debut on at ShootoShooto
Shooto is a mixed martial arts organization that is governed by the Shooto Association and the International Shooto Commission. Shooto was originally formed in 1985, as an organization and as a particular fighting system derived from shoot wrestling. Practitioners are referred to as shooters,...
Gig Central Vol. 19, defeating Kinuka Sasaki via submission (armbar
Armlock
An armlock in grappling is a single or double joint lock that hyperextends, hyperflexes or hyperrotates the elbow joint and/or shoulder joint. An armlock that hyperflexes or hyperrotates the shoulder joint is referred to as a shoulder lock, and an armlock that hyperextends the elbow joint is called...
) in the second round.
Joining Jewels for the first Lightweight Queen tournament, Hamasaki submitted South Korean kickboxer Han Sol Lee with a keylock in just 48 seconds in the opening round of the tournament at Jewels 9th Ring
Jewels 9th Ring
Jewels 9th Ring was a mixed martial arts event held by MMA promotion Jewels. The event took place on at Shinjuku Face in Kabukicho, Tokyo, Japan.-Background:...
on .
At Jewels 11th Ring
Jewels 11th Ring
Jewels 11th Ring was a mixed martial arts event held by MMA promotion Jewels. The event took place on at Korakuen Hall in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan....
on , Hamasaki defeated Sakura Nomura
Sakura Nomura
is a Japanese female mixed martial artist and kickboxer.-Martial arts training:While attending the Takaoka University of Law, Nomura achieved third place in 1996 and second place in 1998 at the All Japan Student Judo Championships in the -56 kg and -57 kg categories, respectively.At a Brazilian...
after three competitive rounds via unanimous decision
Unanimous decision
A unanimous decision is a winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts and others sports involving striking in which all three judges agree on which fighter won the match....
in the Lightweight Queen tournament semi-finals. In the same event, Hamasaki defeated South Korean Seo Hee Ham
Seo Hee Ham
Ham Seo-Hee , often anglicised to Seo-Hee Ham, is a South Korean female mixed martial artist and kickboxer.In Japan, she is occasionally nicknamed Arale-chan, in reference to her similar looks outside of the ring to the character from the manga and anime series Dr...
by unanimous decision, surprising commentators by holding her own in the striking exchanges against the experienced Korean kickboxer. Hamasaki won the tournament in the process and became the first Jewels Lightweight (115 lbs) Queen Champion.
Hamasaki was scheduled to face Lisa Ward
Lisa Ward
Lisa Ward is an American professional female mixed martial artist. She has fought in HOOKnSHOOT, Smackgirl, DEEP and Bellator Fighting Championships....
in a non-title bout at Jewels 12th Ring
Jewels 12th Ring
Jewels 12th Ring was a planned mixed martial arts to be held by MMA promotion Jewels. The event was planned to be held on at Shinjuku Face in Kabukicho, Tokyo, Japan but it was cancelled a few hours before the start due to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.-Background:The first two bouts of...
on in Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
. However, Ward suffered a calf injury and was forced to withdraw from the fight. Hamasaki was then set to face Jessica Aguilar
Jessica Aguilar
Jessica Aguilar is a Mexican American female mixed martial artist who currently competes for Bellator Fighting Championships...
at 12th Ring instead, but the event was cancelled after the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
The 2011 earthquake off the Pacific coast of Tohoku, also known as the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, or the Great East Japan Earthquake, was a magnitude 9.0 undersea megathrust earthquake off the coast of Japan that occurred at 14:46 JST on Friday, 11 March 2011, with the epicenter approximately east...
earlier in the day.
Hamasaki faced Mizuki Inoue
Mizuki Inoue
, nicknamed , is a Japanese female kickboxer and mixed martial artist. Inoue has fought in the kickboxing promotion J-Girls and MMA promotion Jewels. She won the 2010 Jewels -56 kg Rough Stone Grand Prix tournament at 16 years of age, becoming one of the youngest female champions in a major MMA...
in a non-title bout at Jewels 16th Ring
Jewels 16th Ring
Jewels 16th Ring was a mixed martial arts event held by Jewels at Shin-Kiba 1st Ring in Koto, Tokyo, Japan on .The event featured the first round of the Jewels Featherweight Queen tournament, which will determine the first featherweight titleholder of the promotion.-Background:At the end of...
on in Tokyo. She defeated Inoue by unanimous decision.
Hamasaki will defend her Jewels title in a rematch against Seo Hee Ham
Seo Hee Ham
Ham Seo-Hee , often anglicised to Seo-Hee Ham, is a South Korean female mixed martial artist and kickboxer.In Japan, she is occasionally nicknamed Arale-chan, in reference to her similar looks outside of the ring to the character from the manga and anime series Dr...
at Jewels 17th Ring on .
Submission grappling career
Hamasaki participated in a submission grapplingSubmission wrestling
Submission wrestling or Combat wrestling in Japan, is a formula of competition and a general term describing the aspect of martial arts and combat sports that focus on clinch and ground fighting with the aim of obtaining a submission using submission holds...
mini-tournament held at Jewels 10th Ring
Jewels 10th Ring
Jewels 10th Ring was a mixed martial arts event held by MMA promotion Jewels. The event took place on at Shin-Kiba 1st Ring in Koto, Tokyo, Japan...
on , where she won the tournament by defeating Emi Tomimatsu via armbar submission in the second round and Yuko Oya, also by armbar in the first round.
Hamasaki faced Saori Ishioka
Saori Ishioka
is a Japanese female mixed martial artist, kickboxer and karateka. She has participated in MMA promotions Smackgirl and Jewels. Her nickname is Shooting Star.-Background:...
in a grappling match at Jewels 14th Ring on . She won the match by split decision.
Mixed martial arts record
|-| Win
| align=center| 5-0-0
|
Mizuki InoueMizuki Inoue
, nicknamed , is a Japanese female kickboxer and mixed martial artist. Inoue has fought in the kickboxing promotion J-Girls and MMA promotion Jewels. She won the 2010 Jewels -56 kg Rough Stone Grand Prix tournament at 16 years of age, becoming one of the youngest female champions in a major MMA...
| Decision (3-0)
| Jewels 16th Ring
Jewels 16th Ring
Jewels 16th Ring was a mixed martial arts event held by Jewels at Shin-Kiba 1st Ring in Koto, Tokyo, Japan on .The event featured the first round of the Jewels Featherweight Queen tournament, which will determine the first featherweight titleholder of the promotion.-Background:At the end of...
|
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 5:00
| Koto
Koto, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. As of 2008, the ward has an estimated population of 442,271 and a population density of 11,070 persons per km². The total area is 39.48 km². The ward refers to itself as Kōtō City in English....
, Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
| align=center| 4-0-0
|
Seo Hee HamSeo Hee Ham
Ham Seo-Hee , often anglicised to Seo-Hee Ham, is a South Korean female mixed martial artist and kickboxer.In Japan, she is occasionally nicknamed Arale-chan, in reference to her similar looks outside of the ring to the character from the manga and anime series Dr...
| Decision (3-0)
| Jewels 11th Ring
Jewels 11th Ring
Jewels 11th Ring was a mixed martial arts event held by MMA promotion Jewels. The event took place on at Korakuen Hall in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan....
|
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 5:00
| Bunkyo
Bunkyo, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. Situated in the middle of the ward area, Bunkyō is a residential and educational center. Beginning in the Meiji period, literati like Natsume Sōseki, as well as scholars and politicians have lived there...
, Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
| align=center| 3-0-0
|
Sakura NomuraSakura Nomura
is a Japanese female mixed martial artist and kickboxer.-Martial arts training:While attending the Takaoka University of Law, Nomura achieved third place in 1996 and second place in 1998 at the All Japan Student Judo Championships in the -56 kg and -57 kg categories, respectively.At a Brazilian...
| Decision (3-0)
| Jewels 11th Ring
Jewels 11th Ring
Jewels 11th Ring was a mixed martial arts event held by MMA promotion Jewels. The event took place on at Korakuen Hall in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan....
|
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 5:00
| Bunkyo
Bunkyo, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. Situated in the middle of the ward area, Bunkyō is a residential and educational center. Beginning in the Meiji period, literati like Natsume Sōseki, as well as scholars and politicians have lived there...
, Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
| align=center| 2-0-0
|
Han Sol Lee| Submission (keylock)
| Jewels 9th Ring
Jewels 9th Ring
Jewels 9th Ring was a mixed martial arts event held by MMA promotion Jewels. The event took place on at Shinjuku Face in Kabukicho, Tokyo, Japan.-Background:...
|
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:48
| Kabukicho, Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
| align=center| 1-0-0
|
Kinuka Sasaki| Submission (armbar)
| Shooto Gig Central Vol. 19
|
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 2:00
| Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
Aichi Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region. The region of Aichi is also known as the Tōkai region. The capital is Nagoya. It is the focus of the Chūkyō Metropolitan Area.- History :...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
Grappling record
{| class="toccolours" width=100% style="clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;"|-
! colspan=2 style="background:#A9A9A9" | Grappling record
|- valign="top"
|
Legend:
Championships and accomplishments
- Jewels Lightweight Queen tournament winner
- Jewels Lightweight Queen Champion
External links
- Profile at Fightergirls.com