Japanese Muay Thai phenom Shimon Yoshinari has arrived on the biggest stage of his young career, and the 21-year-old has no intention of letting the moment pass without leaving a lasting mark.
The WBC Muay Thai World Champion takes on Johan “Jojo” Ghazali in a flyweight Muay Thai clash at ONE SAMURAI 1 on Wednesday, April 29, live from Ariake Arena in Tokyo, streaming on pay-per-view via live.onefc.com.
Shimon enters with a 25-1 career record and a perfect 4-0 promotional slate since his ONE debut in 2024. His resume already includes victories over Dedduanglek Torfunfarm and four-time Muay Thai World Champion Yodlekpet Or Atchariya.
When the call came to compete at ONE SAMURAI 1 against one of the promotion’s most recognizable young stars, he did not hesitate.
He said:
“It was an offer from such a huge event, so honestly I was just happy. Johan is a well-known and popular fighter, so I felt like it was a real challenge worth taking on. I never really imagined I’d be fighting him — I had only seen him fight on TV.”
As the excitement settled, preparation took over. Shimon and his team at EIWA Sports Gym have built a game plan designed specifically around the threat Ghazali presents, and he arrives in peak condition with every detail locked in.
He said:
“Both my mind and body are in perfect shape. My gym president and trainer put the strategy together, and my job is to execute it. On top of my own training, I’ve been studying my opponent, and that includes preparing specifically for Ghazali.”
Ariake Arena, in front of a Tokyo crowd, provides the backdrop for the most important performance of Shimon’s career. A dominant showing against a globally known opponent can accelerate both his reputation and his ONE World Title ambitions.
He said:
“ONE SAMURAI 1 only has elite fighters, so I want to have a fight that leaves an impression. I want to finish it in a dramatic way. Ghazali is a globally recognized fighter, so I want to shock people around the world.”
Shimon Looks To Manage Distance Against Aggressive Ghazali
Shimon Yoshinari has done his homework on Johan Ghazali, and what he has found is a fighter unlike any he has encountered before.
The 19-year-old, who trains out of Rentap Muaythai Gym and Superbon Training Camp, brings a 27-9 professional record and an 8-3 promotional slate into this contest. Six of those promotional victories have come by finish. His relentless forward pressure and all-out attacking style have made him one of the most exciting and dangerous fighters on the roster.
Shimon recognizes the challenge Ghazali presents, drawing a partial comparison to a familiar face while acknowledging the differences:
“He strikes me as a mentally tough, aggressive fighter who suits the ONE style. In the way he closes the distance and pressures forward, he reminds me a bit of Yodlekpet, but his build and striking are different, so I can’t say it’s the same type of fight I’ve experienced before.”
That unpredictability makes distance management the central pillar of Shimon’s strategy. Known for his thunderous left hook and punishing calf kicks, he has identified where the danger lies and how he plans to neutralize it.
He said:
“[He favors] close-range punching exchanges, and I think he’ll use his elbows a lot, so I need to be careful there. But if I can manage the distance my way, I think it works in my favor.”