Japan’s Rising Son: 3 Of Shimon’s Most Dangerous Weapons Against Johan Ghazali At ONE SAMURAI 1
Here's how the Japanese standout can extend his winning streak on April 29 in Tokyo.
Japanese sensation Shimon Yoshinari has emerged as one of the most technically refined young strikers in ONE Championship. The WBC Muay Thai World Champion will return to action at ONE SAMURAI 1 on April 29, where he faces American-Malaysian star Johan “Jojo” Ghazali in a flyweight Muay Thai firefight inside Ariake Arena in Tokyo. View this post on Instagram While Ghazali’s aggressive, highlight-driven style has made him one of the division’s most exciting young guns, Shimon presents a very different kind of challenge.
His approach is built on precision, timing, and control, which has helped him remain unbeaten across five promotional appearances. Before the action shifts to the Japanese capital, here are three of Shimon’s weapons that could play a decisive role in this clash. #1 Shimon’s Counter Left Hook View this post on Instagram Shimon’s left hook is his most dangerous and reliable weapon, and he showcased it immediately in his first appearance on the global stage.
Making his promotional debut against Thai finisher Rittidet Sor Somma i at ONE Friday Fights 92 in December 2024, he scored a knockdown with a perfectly timed counter left hook. Rather than relying on volume, the 21-year-old waits for openings and fires compact, accurate counters with minimal telegraph. Though Rittidet managed to regain his footing, the damage was already done, and Shimon closed the show moments later.
View this post on Instagram That same left hook remained a key weapon in his bout against Pettonglor Sitluangpeenumfon at ONE Friday Fights 121 . While not always thrown as a counter, it consistently punctuated his combinations and played a crucial role in breaking down his opponent en route to the finish. The effectiveness of this weapon lies in both its timing and versatility.