Opening the love journey of Takeru and Aoi, a couple who stood by each other until they won the long-awaited ONE World Championship.
1 May 2026 became widely discussed as Takeru Segawa won by TKO over Rodtang Jitmuangnon in the fifth round to claim the interim ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Championship at ONE SAMURAI 1.
Aoi Kawaguchi, Takeru's wife who recently married him, has been widely mentioned on social media as the strong support behind Takeru's dream of winning the ONE World Championship belt. What is their love story?
The beginning of their love — meeting in the K-1 arena.
The love story between Takeru Segawa, the famous Japanese kickboxer, and Aoi Kawaguchi, an actress and model, began in 2021 after she was appointed the official ambassador supporting “K-1 Koshien 2021.” They met and built a connection through various press events, gradually growing closer.
By 2023, FRIDAY magazine reported that they were living together, noting that Aoi left Takeru’s luxury apartment in Tokyo to go to the gym where he trained, then returned to spend the night together.
Marriage on his birthday — a moment the world admired.
On 29 July 2025, Takeru announced his marriage to Aoi Kawaguchi on social media, writing, “I would like to share this news with everyone who has always supported us. I officially announce that I am married to Aoi Kawaguchi.” That day was also Takeru’s 34th birthday.
Aoi also announced on her social media account, “From now on, we will support each other and dedicate ourselves even more to our work.”
A pillar of emotional strength — Aoi’s awareness of her husband’s pain.
Takeru experienced love from high school like many others. He shared that he used to like courting girls, dating and breaking up repeatedly until one incident where an ex-girlfriend invited him to a festival at a shrine. When he arrived, 12 to 13 of his ex-girlfriends were waiting together, crying and demanding an apology, which Takeru gave to each of them.
After that, his love life didn't go as expected. After turning 18 and moving to Tokyo to focus fully on his fighting career, Takeru revealed that two girlfriends broke up with him immediately after his matches because he couldn’t text them while preparing for fights. He was sometimes even betrayed during that time.
In August 2018, FRIDAY magazine disclosed Takeru’s relationship with Maji, a famous model. They reportedly dated for four consecutive days, with Takeru driving his Benz to pick her up after a party and spending over an hour together in the car “like high school sweethearts.” Both did not deny the news, and fans congratulated them.
In September 2019, FRIDAY revealed that Maji was followed and caught embracing another handsome man late at night in a park. The man claimed that Maji cheated while still dating Takeru. Takeru admitted, “I was subjected to something beyond ordinary infidelity,” which made him afraid to fall in love again.
Normally, Takeru doesn't cry over love, but this time he couldn’t hold back tears in front of his fighter friends, showing how seriously he loved Maji.
Takeru opened up to the media, saying, “That experience made me afraid of love, and if I am to love again, I must build trust between human beings first before opening my heart.”
He admitted that after breaking up with Maji, he barely dated anyone for almost two years until he met Aoi Kawaguchi, who gradually built trust with him and eventually became his wife.
Aoi's love is not just an ordinary romance; she has been a vital support when Takeru faced the toughest challenges in life — depression and panic disorder.
Takeru revealed, “My wife has seen me suffer from these illnesses many times. She chose to stay with me, knowing everything, and still married me. That made me truly feel supported.”
An empty shelf — a symbol of dreams and love.
One of the most touching moments was on 30 April 2026, after Takeru defeated Rodtang Jitmuangnon in the fifth round at ONE SAMURAI 1 to claim the ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Championship.
Aoi posted a photo of her husband placing the ONE World Championship belt on a shelf that had been empty all along, with the caption, “He kept the top shelf empty, waiting for the day to place the ONE belt there. Seeing him put the championship belt he fought for with his life is the happiest image I have ever seen. Heartfelt congratulations.”
"The final chapter" driven by family.
Takeru once said, “From now on, I will carry the responsibility of my family on my shoulders and hope that we live supporting each other through both good and difficult times.”
The love between Takeru and Aoi is not just about romance, but about two people choosing to move forward together both inside and outside the ring.