Ryōta Murata

Ryōta Murata
Statistics
Real name 村田 諒太
Rated at Super Middleweight
Height 182 cm (6 ft 0 in)[1][2][3]
Nationality Japan
Born January 12, 1986[4]
Nara, Nara, Japan[5]
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 6
Wins 6
Wins by KO 4

Ryōta Murata (村田 諒太 Murata Ryōta, born January 12, 1986 in Nara, Nara Prefecture) is a boxer from Japan, who took the gold medal in the men's middleweight division (– 75 kg) at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. He had served as a Toyo University official.[6]

Amateur career

Murata started boxing in the first grade of junior high school.[7] His then trainer was Hiroaki Takami who competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics.[8] Two years later, he regularly attended Shinko Boxing Gym in Osaka from his home in Nara City.[7] He was trained under the former Japanese super lightweight champion Hiromu Kuwata at that gym for one year.[8] He proceeded to Minami-Kyoto High School and there was coached by Maekawa Takemoto (died in 2010 at the age of fifty)[9][10][11] who served as the coach of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta[12] to capture five national titles.[5] However, after admission to Toyo University, he suffered a number of DQ losses in the university league.[13] At that time, he went for training to the Physical Training School of the Self Defense Forces, on the recommendation of Takemoto. In those days, in Thailand where he traveled for a match, he saw children earnestly training and regained his enthusiasm for boxing.[5]

After winning the All-Japan Amateur Boxing Championships in the first grade of university in 2004, he captured the bronze medal in the 2005 Asian Amateur Boxing Championships in Ho Chi Minh City,[5] and the silver medal in the 2005 King’s Cup in Bangkok.[3][5] Since then, although he is undefeated in his country, winning the All-Japan Amateur Boxing Championships also in 2007, 2009, 2010,[3] and 2011,[14] he was eliminated in the preliminary round by Nikolajs Grisunins in the 2005 World Amateur Boxing Championships in Mianyang, China, and also eliminated in the preliminary round by Bakhtiyar Artayev in the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar. In the 2007 World Amateur Boxing Championships in Chicago, the United States, he won against Donatas Bondorovas in the first round, but lost to Shawn Estrada in the second round.

In the 1st AIBA Asian 2008 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Bangkok, Thailand, he won over Narmandakh Shinebayar in the quarterfinal to get the third place, and lost to Elshod Rasulov in the semifinal. In the 2nd AIBA Asian 2008 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Astana, Kazakhstan, he was eliminated in the quarterfinal by Homayoun Amiri and ended in the seventh place.[3] Then Murata had retired as a boxer. After graduating from the university, he had been coaching at the boxing club while working as an employee of his alma mater.[9][15] A year and a half later, he resumed his own career.[15][16]

Murata got married in May 2010, and they had a son in May 2011.[17] In 2010, he secured the bronze medal by winning over Udai Al-Hindawi in the quarterfinal of the China Open Tournament in Guiyang, China, and lost to Husan Baymatov in the semifinal. In the Republic of Kazakhstan President's Cup in Astana of the same year, he won over Levan Guledani in the preliminary round, but lost to Danabek Suzhanov in the quarterfinal.[3] In July 2011, he won the gold medal in the 21st President's Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia.[18]

In the 2011 World Amateur Boxing Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, Murata won over Leandro Sanchez (24–11, in the round of 128),[19] the two-time AIBA World Champion Abbos Atoev (RSC, in the first round),[20] and Mohammad Sattarpour (22–11, in the second round).[21] He subsequently defeated Stefan Härtel (18–15, in the third round)[22] and qualified for the 2012 Summer Olympics with that victory.[23] Then he won over Darren O'Neill (18–9, in the quarterfinal)[24] and Esquiva Florentino (24–11, in the semifinal),[25] and finally lost to Evhen Khytrov (22–24, in the final) to secure the silver medal.[4]

Olympic results

In the 2012 Summer Olympics, second-seeded Murata defeated Algeria's Abdelmalek Rahou 21–12 in the round of 16 at the ExCeL London on August 2, 2012.[26] He subsequently beat Turkey's Adem Kılıççı 17–13 in the quarter-finals on August 6,[27] and also outpointed Uzbekistan's Abbos Atoev 13–12 in the semi-finals on August 10.[28] In the final on August 11, he beat the Brazilian Esquiva Florentino with a score of 14–13 and took the gold medal.[29][Video 1][Video 2] After winning the quarter-finals, Murata and Florentino were both assured of the first men's boxing medal for their countries since the 1968 Summer Olympics.[30][31] It was a tough, close bout.[32]

Murata is the hundredth gold medalist for Japan in their Olympic history.[33] It is Japan's first boxing gold medal since Takao Sakurai won in the bantamweight class in 1964,[34] and also is the first-ever boxing medal in a weight class other than bantamweight or flyweight.[31]

The Brazilian Olympic Committee had asked the International Boxing Association (AIBA) for a review of the final,[35] but the AIBA turned down the request.[36]

Murata finished his amateur career with a record of 119–18 (89 RSC).[37]

Professional career

Murata registered with Misako Boxing Gym in April 2013,[38] and signed with Top Rank in June.[39] He also asked Teiken Promotions for cooperation in promotion.[40] Dentsu's funds made these happen.[39] But the pro-am relationship that was about to be repaired was damaged again.[41] Before these, Murata had declined participation in AIBA Professional Boxing by letter saying that he intended to retire as a boxer.[42] So, when he suddenly started saying he wanted to turn professional, Murata was banned from Japan Amateur Boxing Federation (JABF) for his disloyal behavior in February 2013.[43]

Qualified as a light heavyweight professional boxer in April 2013, he has been allowed to fight in eight or more round bouts.[44] His professional debut took place in a six round 161 pound bout against Akio Shibata at Ariake Coliseum on August 25, 2013.[45] Murata won the bout by a second round technical knockout.

Professional boxing record

6 Wins (4 knockouts, 2 decisions), 0 Losses, 0 Draws[46]
Res. Record Opponent Type Rd., Time Date Location Notes
style="background: #ececec; color: grey; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | N/A style="background: #ececec; color: grey; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | N/A Brazil Douglas Damiao Ataide style="background: #ececec; color: grey; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | N/A - (10) 2015-05-01 Japan Ota-City General Gymnasium, Tokyo
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 6–0 United States Jessie Nicklow UD 10 2014-12-30 Japan Metropolitan Gym, Tokyo
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 5–0 Mexico Adrian Luna Flores UD 10 2014-09-05 Japan Yoyogi National Gymnasium, Tokyo
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 4–0 Mexico Jesús Ángel Nerio KO 6 (10), 2:35 2014-05-22 Japan Shimazu Arena, Kyoto
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 3–0 Brazil Carlos Nascimento TKO 4 (8), 0:43 2014-02-22 Macau CotaiArena, Macau, SAR
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 2–0 United States Dave Peterson TKO 8 (8), 1:20 2013-12-06 Japan Kokugikan, Tokyo
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 1–0 Japan Akio Shibata TKO 2 (6), 2:24 2013-08-25 Japan Ariake Colosseum, Tokyo Professional debut.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Ryōta Murata's boxing stats". International Boxing Association. 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2012.
  2. ↑ "Japanese Medalists in London 2012 Olympics". joc.or.jp. Japanese Olympic Committee. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Biographies for Ryōta Murata". Asian Boxing Confederation. 2013. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Biographies for Ryōta Murata". International Boxing Association. 2011. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 全力で五輪切符つかむ　ボクシングの村田　南京都高出身 (in Japanese). Kyoto Shimbun – 47news. jp. March 14, 2008. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  6. ↑ 村田諒太 (2) 活動自粛から現役復帰　再び夢へ (in Japanese). Sports Nippon. May 9, 2012. Retrieved June 14, 2012.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Hiroyuki Ishida (January 24, 2012). 星に願いを: 村田諒太 (アマチュアボクシング世界選手権銀メダリスト/東洋大職員) <後編>「恩師に捧げるリング」 (in Japanese). Sports Communications. Retrieved June 14, 2012.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 挫折3度…村田の強さは、逃げても戻る "ずぶとさ" (in Japanese). Mainichi Shimbun. August 13, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Keiichi Kojima (August 12, 2012). "Murata fought with late mentor in mind". Yomiuri Shimbun. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  10. ↑ Shin Kobayashi, Mitsumasa Takemoto and Keigo Kawasaki (August 13, 2012). "London Stories: Boxer Murata, wrestler Yonemitsu capture gold on final day". Mainichi Shimbun. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  11. ↑ "Gold Medalist/ Boxing: Murata owes it all to former coach, hard work". Asahi Shimbun. August 15, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  12. ↑ アマボクシング女子強化委員長の武元氏が急死 (in Japanese). Sports Hochi. February 11, 2010. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  13. ↑ 村田諒太、恩師に誓うデビュー戦勝利! (in Japanese). The page. August 24, 2013. p. 1. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  14. ↑ "世界「銀」村田V3／ボクシング" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. November 20, 2011. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 選手プロフィール　村田 諒太 - ロンドンオリンピック特集 (in Japanese). Toyo University. July 25, 2012. Retrieved July 27, 2012.
  16. ↑ Jiji Press (August 13, 2012). "Murata punches way to historic gold". Yomiuri Shimbun. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  17. ↑ 村田は変わった!　家族の存在で"ポジティブ"に (in Japanese). Sports Nippon. August 8, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
  18. ↑ "Japan Win the Team Event in Jakarta". International Boxing Association. July 13, 2011. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  19. ↑ "A fast victory for Brown". International Boxing Association. September 28, 2011. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  20. ↑ AFP (October 2, 2011). "Japan's Murata stuns defending champion". The Times of India. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  21. ↑ "Teymur Mammadov triumphs in Baku". International Boxing Association. October 3, 2011. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  22. ↑ Sapa-AFP (October 4, 2011). "Aussie eliminates India’s Kumar". SuperSport. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  23. ↑ Boxing Beat editorial department (October 15, 2011). MACC Publications Inc, ed. 村田が銀 & 五輪切符獲得. Ironman. Boxing Beat (in Japanese) (Tokyo, Japan: Fitness Sports Co., Ltd.) (special issue): p. 109. ASIN B005T5W52C.
  24. ↑ "And then there was one as Nevin advances". The Irish Times. October 6, 2011. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  25. ↑ AFP (October 8, 2011). "Ukraine dominate AIBA event’s semi-finals". Dawn. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  26. ↑ "Olympics-Men's boxing middleweight last 16 results". Reuters. August 2, 2012. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
  27. ↑ "Olympics-Men's boxing middleweight quarter-finals results". Reuters. August 6, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2012.
  28. ↑ Jake Donovan (August 10, 2012). "Olympics Men's Middleweight Semifinals Live Results". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  29. ↑ "Olympics-Men's boxing Middleweight Final". Official London 2012 website. August 12, 2012. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
  30. ↑ Patrick Johnston (August 6, 2012). "Brazil wait 42 years for a medal then two arrive". Reuters. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Joe Koizumi (August 11, 2012). "Remembering Olympic medalists out of Japan". Fightnews.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  32. ↑ Jake Donovan (August 11, 2012). "Ryota Murata Captures Middleweight Gold For Japan". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  33. ↑ 村田で金100人目　メダル総獲得数400個 (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. August 13, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  34. ↑ Associated Press (August 11, 2012). "Ryota Murata wins Japan's 2nd-ever boxing gold medal, edging Brazil's Esquiva Falcao". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  35. ↑ EFE (August 18, 2012). "Brazil wants Olympic boxing decision reviewed". Fox News Latino. Retrieved August 18, 2012.
  36. ↑ Associated Press (August 22, 2012). "Brazil says request to review Olympic final against Murata denied". Asahi Shimbun. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
  37. ↑ Joe Koizumi (August 25, 2013). "Olympic Gold Medalist Murata halts OPBF Champ Shibata in pro debut". Fightnews.com. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  38. ↑ 三迫会長　村田デビューは「夏でもいい」「重い責任感じる」 (in Japanese). Sports Nippon. April 12, 2013. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 Miguel Maravilla (June 11, 2013). "Murata: I want to become world champion and leave my name as one of the legends in boxing". fightnews.com. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  40. ↑ 村田　米興行大手との契約の背景は?　「プロジェクト」最後のピースそろう (in Japanese). Sports Nippon. June 11, 2013. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  41. ↑ ボクシング「村田ルール」7・1スタート (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. June 28, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  42. ↑ 引退勧告を受けた村田、プロ転向示唆 (in Japanese). Daily Sports. February 3, 2013. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  43. ↑ 村田、プロ正式表明!　アマ山根会長に直談判 (in Japanese). Sports Hochi. February 3, 2013. Archived from the original on February 3, 2013. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  44. ↑ プロボクサーテスト合格発表 (PDF) (in Japanese). Japan Boxing Commission. April 2013. Retrieved July 4, 2013.
  45. ↑ "村田、8月にプロデビュー=OPBF王者柴田と対戦" (in Japanese). Jiji Press. July 3, 2013. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  46. ↑ "Ryota Murata - Boxer".

Video references

External links