Kira Matsutani: College Fighter Confidently Aims for K-1 Title and the Top

2025-02-13

Laughing at the cameraman who comes close to take idol-like pictures.

KO with a hook to the gut!

The fourth-generation Krush Atomweight Champion, Kira Matsutani (21), recalls her earliest memory of K-1 as the time she went to watch the Krush event where her karate teacher, Yuji Suzuki (40), competed. Like her mentor, Koya Ura (34), who became a Krush champion, Matsutani aims to reach the top of K-1. She will challenge for the K-1 Women’s Atomweight title at the “K-1 WORLD GP Women’s Atomweight Championship Tournament” on February 9 at Yoyogi National Gymnasium.

“I started practicing karate when I was four years old, and later transitioned to kickboxing. My oldest memory in martial arts. I remember competing in an international karate tournament during elementary school. I enjoyed ‘Kata’ and won a lot of tournaments in that, but I didn’t have much success in ‘Kumite,’ so I didn’t like it as much. I won some smaller tournaments, but in international competitions, there were strong kids. So, I preferred ‘Kata’ (laughs).”

Despite her modesty, Matsutani says she gained confidence in her ability to make it in the combat sports world after her first fight in the K-1 group.

“Until then, I had never felt that I was strong or skilled, but in my first match, I was able to execute the moves I had envisioned. I set up a right body shot to weaken the stomach, and then beautifully knocked down my opponent with a left hook. I fought at my own pace the whole time and had a satisfying match. I realized it was fun.”

Last November 16, at Krush.167, she KO’d Gabriel de Ramos in the first round ©K-1.

This time, at the request of Friday Digital, the interview was conducted in casual clothes. At first glance, she appears more delicate than a typical university student walking around the city, and her speaking style is gentle. The contrast between this beauty and her statement, “After warming up” is intriguing, which led me to ask this question.

ーーBy dedicating your youth to martial arts, is there anything you’ve “lost” as a woman?

“Lost things. For example, after school, I can’t just go out and play. I get invited quite often, but I end up saying, ‘Sorry, I have practice today.’ And when I’m invited to drinking parties, I always have to turn them down, saying, ‘I have an early practice tomorrow.’ Since I was little, not being able to hang out with friends has become normal for me, so I don’t really feel the urge to do so. But I do wonder what it would have been like if I hadn’t done martial arts. I do have a longing for a normal high school or university life.”

Matsutani says she is unaffected by the struggles of weight cutting and can freely eat what she likes, but behaviors that affect her conditioning, such as heavy drinking and partying, are forbidden.

“I don’t particularly like alcohol, but when I see my friends drinking and having fun, I do think it looks nice.”

At the ALONZA ABLAZE gym, working out with the male pros. Would you be teased if a picture like this was published?

Once she steps out of the ring, she returns to being a college girl. The slenderness of her body, especially her waist, does not look like a fighter who wins by a powerful KO.

“First, the face. I’ll start with the face (laughs).”

ーーWhat’s been good about doing martial arts?

“Well, being featured in the media and getting attention, having experiences that an ordinary girl wouldn’t have had, I guess. My friends told me, ‘When I search your name, a lot of articles pop up. That’s amazing.’ I thought it was just natural since I’m in K-1, but hearing that made me realize how they view me. It was refreshing.”

ーーWhat’s the happiest moment for you in martial arts?

“Walking down the victory path after winning a match. I don’t really get nervous, but before the fight, I’m focused and can see what’s around me, though it doesn’t register in my mind. After winning and stepping down from the ring, I feel relieved, and everyone waiting on the victory path is in this ‘Congratulations!’ mood, and it feels rewarding.”

ーーYou’ve been praised as strong, but I think some men might feel intimidated by your well-built physique, like ‘I have a pathetic body, so I can’t go to the pool with you.’ Do you ever feel like you’ve missed out on romance opportunities without realizing it?

“I guess. It’s tough if the person doesn’t understand martial arts. No one has ever left because I’m more delicate, but I do want someone bigger than me physically.”

ーーBy the way, what’s your type?

“First, the face. I start with the face (laughs).”

ーーThe face? (laughs)

“Also, I like muscles, so someone muscular. As for the muscle parts. I’d like the arms to be all rugged. If you ask me about my favorite celebrity, it’s Sho Hirano (28). I really like him. I’m not really into the salty face type, I love that more intense, sharp look.”

She has 14 fights, 11 wins (1 KO), 2 minutes. Her only loss was to former champion Miyu Sugawara (25).

“I want to show you the overwhelming difference.”

Her friends have started their job hunting.

Matsutani continues to push forward as a fighter, but as a university student, she must also begin working on her graduation thesis. She’s thinking about combining her major in business management with martial arts, but she admits, “It’s not really coming together, so I’m a bit stressed out.”

Despite this, Matsutani has a clear vision of reaching the top of K-1.

“Through physical conditioning, my power has definitely increased. Right now, I’m focusing on training that enhances my body coordination, and I’ve become faster. In my recent match, I won with a knee KO, but that was a reaction-based movement. It was unconscious, and I can now execute combinations instinctively. I’ve got the tools to take down my opponents. Now, it’s about distance and timing.

This time, people around me think it’s a given that I’ll win, but I believe I can grab the belt too. As the current Krush champion, I don’t just want to win—I want to show an overwhelming level difference.”