Former K-1 Champion Hideaki Yamasaki Supports "Beginners' Challenge"|Kickboxing Tournament for Beginners, Entrepreneurs, and Businessmen "THE REASON" to Hold Inaugural Event on Sep. 6

IKIZAMA Entertainment Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative: Yohei Suzuki) will hold the inaugural edition of "THE REASON," a kickboxing tournament for adults aged 35 and over themed around "resolve, challenge, and one's way of life," on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at Shinagawa Intercity Hall (Minato-ku, Tokyo).

It has now been officially confirmed that Hideaki Yamasaki, former K-1 WORLD GP Super Lightweight Champion (nicknamed GOLDEN FIST), will serve as the event's Special Ambassador.

Hideaki Yamasaki, former K-1 WORLD GP Super Lightweight Champion (nicknamed GOLDEN FIST)

Additionally, the men's fashion magazine "men's egg" has been confirmed as the official sponsor.

Official Sponsor "men's egg"

Player entries are now being accepted via the tournament's official LINE account.

▼ Key Points of This Release

・ Former K-1 Champion

・ Hideaki Yamasaki Appointed as Special Ambassador

・ "men's egg" Confirmed as Official Sponsor

・ Inaugural Event to Be Held on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at Shinagawa Intercity Hall (Expected Attendance: 1,000)

・ Not a Tournament for the Strong, but a Challenge-Oriented Event Anyone Can Join

・ Current Entrants Primarily Include Beginners, Entrepreneurs, and Businessmen

・ Player Registration Open via Official LINE (First-Come, First-Served)

Tournament Concept — REASON = The Story of Fighting —

Official Tournament Logo

Even after turning 35, there's still a moment when you can be truly serious again. As responsibilities from work, family, and duty pile up, people tend to forget about taking on challenges. Yet deep inside, the fighter within still burns and isn't ready to give up.

"THE REASON" is the story of adults who refuse to give up due to age and step back into the ring. More important than winning or losing is the question: "Why do you fight?" Carrying with them stories of past failures and experiences, family, friends, pride—countless life choices and acts of resolve—fighters will stand in the ring.

[Tournament Philosophy (PHILOSOPHY)]

1. Celebrate the courage to challenge.

2. Bring life's drama into the ring.

3. Respect beyond victory and defeat.

4. Move the world through one's way of life.

Special Ambassador Appointment — Hideaki Yamasaki (GOLDEN FIST)

Hideaki Yamasaki, former K-1 WORLD GP Super Lightweight Champion (nicknamed GOLDEN FIST)

It has been decided that Hideaki Yamasaki, former K-1 WORLD GP Super Lightweight Champion, will serve as the Special Ambassador for this tournament.

Known as "GOLDEN FIST," Yamasaki has captivated fans with his overwhelming achievements, coaching expertise, and fighting style that embodies "one's way of life." His philosophy perfectly aligns with the concept of "THE REASON," and he will strongly support the event's promotion and branding through his powerful social media presence. Additionally, Yamasaki will personally present "Golden Gloves" to recipients of awards such as MVP and Best KO.

Golden Glove Concept Image

Official Sponsor — "men's egg" Partnership Confirmed

"men's egg," a popular men's fashion media platform that consistently delivers real-life lifestyles of adult men, has been confirmed as the official sponsor of this event. The collaboration between a media outlet that supports "adults challenging on their own terms" and this tournament centered on "one's way of life" will lead to post-event special features, athlete interviews, and multimedia coverage.

Aiming to Become Japan's Most Desired Amateur Combat Sports Tournament

Tournament Concept Image

In recent years, combat sports have rapidly expanded from being something to "watch" to something to "do," becoming an accessible form of fitness alongside the growth of gyms. In the age of social media, "stories of challenge" have become highly engaging content.

"THE REASON" captures the intersection of this growing demand for "challenge and emotional experience," creating a combat sports event where participants become the protagonists. With the former K-1 champion as ambassador, partnerships with major media, and unique post-event experiences such as a networking after-party and award ceremony for entrepreneurs, the tournament aims to become "Japan's most desired amateur combat sports event." The inaugural event expects an audience of 1,000.

<Player Registration Now Open>

Bring your "reason to fight" into the ring. "THE REASON" is now widely accepting entries for its first tournament (to be held on September 6, 2026). Prior combat sports experience is not required. We welcome entries from anyone who, despite carrying responsibilities at work, home, and in life, wishes to "be serious again" or "show their way of life through their fists." Expected number of matches: 20–30 (40–60 participants). Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, so apply early.

▼ Not a Tournament for the Strong, but One Anyone Can Easily Join

This tournament is not a serious combat sports event where pros or semi-pros compete for victory. It is not about the strong competing, but about creating an accessible, challenge-oriented event anyone can join. This is THE REASON's greatest distinction.

In fact, most current entrants are beginners or amateurs with no prior combat sports experience, company executives, entrepreneurs, and office-working businessmen. "Just started going to the gym," "have some sports experience but new to combat sports," "always wanted to stand in the ring once in my life"—ordinary adults with such aspirations are steadily stepping forward to take on the challenge.

Therefore, even as a complete beginner, you'll find peers standing on the same starting line. This stage celebrates not "strength," but the "courage to challenge."

[6 Reasons Anyone Can Easily Participate]

・ Current entrants are primarily beginners, CEOs, and businessmen. This is a tournament where "ordinary adults" are the stars.

・ Age restriction ensures all participants are 35 or older (with a special category for ages 30–34). Compete with peers of the same generation and starting point.

・ Former professionals may participate only if retired for five or more years. Ensures fair matchmaking without favoring experienced fighters.

・ Weight classes are finely divided by category and weight. Matchups are designed for safety and comfort.

・ Short-format rules: 1 minute 30 seconds × 2 rounds per match. Designed to be manageable even for those with no sports background.

・ Organizer provides 14-ounce gloves and headgear. Comprehensive safety measures including injury insurance and on-site medical staff.

To all of you who have worked hard for your jobs and families: Now is the time to fulfill your dream of standing in the ring "just once in your life."

[Application Guidelines]

・ Eligibility: Physically and mentally healthy individuals aged 35 or older (special category for ages 30–34) / Former professionals must have been retired for at least 5 years

・ Rules: 1 Kickboxing Rules (1 min 30 sec × 2 rounds / 1-min interval) / 2 FIST Rules (punches only / 1 min 30 sec × 2 rounds / 1-min interval)

・ Men's Divisions: Super Bantamweight (-55kg) / Featherweight (-57.5kg) / Super Featherweight (-60kg) / Lightweight (-62.5kg) / Super Lightweight (-65kg) / Welterweight (-67.5kg) / Super Welterweight (-70kg) / Middleweight (-75kg) / Cruiserweight (-85kg) / Heavyweight (Open)

・ Women's Divisions: Atomweight (-45kg) / Strawweight (-50kg) / Bantamweight (-55kg) / Featherweight (-60kg)

・ Entry Fee: 33,000 JPY (tax included, includes 3 spectator tickets)

・ Participant Benefits: Award Ceremony Participation / Invitation to After-Party (Entrepreneur Networking Event) / Golden Glove Presented by Hideaki Yamasaki to Champion

[How to Apply]

Add the tournament's official LINE account as a friend and apply via the entry form.

▶ Player Registration (Official LINE): https://line.me/R/ti/p/@694fcpyf

▶ Official Website: https://ikizama-r35.com/

Event Overview

・ Event Name: THE REASON (The Reason) 1st Tournament

・ Concept: Resolve, Challenge, One's Way of Life — A Combat Sports Challenge Stage for Adults

・ Date and Time: Sunday, September 6, 2026

・ Venue: Shinagawa Intercity Hall (2-15-4 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo)

・ Expected Attendance: 1,000

・ Special Ambassador: Hideaki Yamasaki (K-1 WORLD GP Super Lightweight Champion)

・ Official Sponsor: men's egg

・ Organizer: IKIZAMA Entertainment Inc. (Representative: Yohei Suzuki)

・ Official Website: https://ikizama-r35.com/

・ Player Registration (Official LINE): https://line.me/R/ti/p/@694fcpyf

・ Official X Account: https://x.com/the_reason35

・ Official Instagram Account: https://www.instagram.com/reason_r35kickboxing