ONE Championship has announced the 2025 recipient of the Victoria Lee award which is given to an athlete for their positive impact on their communities.
Japanese kickboxer Takeru Segawa has been honoured for his charitable donations and efforts across Asia over the past 12 months.
The award is a tribute to the late Victoria Lee who tragically passed after in the final days of 2022.
Along with her siblings and fellow martial artists Angela, Christian and Adrian Lee, ONE Championship have continued to honour her memory.
The Victoria Lee award that will be given out every year on January 13 is just another way to cherish and celebrate the 18-years that she had on this planet.
As for Takeru, the former K-1 star arrived in ONE Championship this year with two blockbuster fights against Superlek and Thant Zin.
The majority of this year has been spent building up to his huge striking clash with Rodtang Jitmuangnon which will take place at Saitama Super Arena at ONE 172.
Away from the ring, the 33-year old has used his star status to benefit others and though his substantial donations have gone a long way, he has done much more than simply providing financial support.
Alongside visiting childcare facilities in his home country of Japan to spend time with the kids and inspire them, he did the same in Vietnam and Laos.
Takeru not only raised the spirits of the children by playing with them and giving them some kickboxing lessons, he provided funds to aid the schools make much-needed improvements and donated valuable supplies to improve the quality of life and education of the next generation.
Who knows, maybe one of these children will be inspired to pursue kickboxing in order to become the next Takeru Segawa.
