On Sunday July 21st, Rise, the kickboxing organization which has hosted most of Japanese star Tenshin Nasukawa’s relevant kickboxing career was holding the semifinals of its 58kg (128 lbs) and 61kg (135 lbs) at the Edion Arena in Osaka. Featured in the tournaments were the aforementioned Tenshin and three current or recent Lumpinee or Rajadamnern stadium champions in Saeksan Or Kwanmuang, Rungkit Wor Sangprapai and Suakim PKSaenchaimuaythai.
In his 58kg semi-final Tenshin Nasukawa (32-0, 23 KOs) was facing Suakim (105-22-3, Lumpinee superfeatherweight champion) who gave him a very tough fight under Muay Thai rules last year. This was pretty much Tenshin’s first real test of the year as he’s spent the first half of 2019 fighting overmatched competition in his quarterfinal and his Rizin appearances.