Emiko Raika

Emiko Raika (来家 恵美子, born January 24, 1975, in Kyoto, Japan) is a Japanese female professional boxer and mixed martial artist.

Although more Japanese women have taken up traditionally male sports such as karate, kickboxing and wrestling in recent years, many in Japan still believe that women should not box, because of the injury risk. Raika, who has suffered a broken nose and an eye socket fracture in fights, shrugs off the possibility of injuries. "When I told friends that I want to become a boxer, they were surprised and put down my decision because I am a woman," said Raika. "But I had to resist. I like boxing and I wanted to do it. In fact, I am expressing myself through boxing. I am fighting not to beat the opponent, but for myself."

Biography

Early life

Raika lived with her grandmother until she was three. After her grandmother died, she spent the next 15 years in the Karyo-en children's home in Kyoto. Raika was a good student, among the top of her high school graduating class. She studied at Ogaki Women's College and became a licensed dental hygienist, later working at a dental clinic. She quit the job after a month, because she did not like the uniform. She tried other jobs, but they did not make her happy.

"I felt as if I were not living and felt myself destroying." said Raika, "I was very weak mentally. I could choose to have an ordinary life, but I wanted more than just that - to become strong."

Boxing career

Always enjoying rough sports such as wrestling and rugby, Raika joined a local boxing gym that she found while commuting to work at a battery manufacture, and trained to compete as an amateur boxer.

Raika had three wins in three amateur fights, and was named the most outstanding woman in a local amateur tournament, where she was spotted by Toshihiro Yamaki, a Tokyo gym owner.

With a growing number of Japanese women becoming interested in boxing, a group of gym owners had organized a women's boxing association in 1999, with Yamaki as its secretary general, called the Japanese Women's Boxing Commission (JWBC).

Yamaki was impressed by Raika, and asked her to join his gym and turn professional. She now devotes full-time to boxing.

Raika won the WIBA Featherweight World title from Australian Sharon Anyos in 2001, and successfully defended the title in a 2002 rematch. After destroying an overmatched Shelby Walker in two rounds for her second title defence on May 23, 2004, Raika made her 3rd title defence against the rugged (and undefeated) brawler Melissa Fiorentino on September 18, 2004, in Kyoto, Japan. It was called the WIBA 2004 Fight of the Year, Raika again successfully defended her crown via 10-round decision in a brutal toe-to-toe slugfest.

Raika then vacated her world title at featherweight (126 pounds) to move up in weight to the super featherweight division (130 pounds).

On March 13, 2005, in Tokyo, Japan, Raika lost a 10-round decision to Chevelle Hallback for the vacant WIBA Super Featherweight World Title.

On October 1, 2005, in Tokyo, Japan, Raika won an 8-round decision over Belinda Laracuente.

On May 20, 2006, in Cholla Province, Korea, Raika moved up another 2 weight classes, to 140 pounds, where she won a 10-round unanimous decision over Won Mi Chung, for the IFBA Light Welterweight World Title.

On June 10, 2006, in Tokyo, Japan, Raika knocked out Yoko Takahashi in the 4th round with a body shot.

On December 15, 2006, in Tokyo, Japan, Raika won a 10-round unanimous decision over Terri Blair to win the vacant WIBA Lightweight World Title.

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Shizuka Sugiyama Decision (unanimous) Pancrase 341

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Honoka Shigeta Decision (unanimous) Pancrase 338

Tokyo, Japan Win

Kei Nagisa TKO (punches) Pancrase 336

Tokyo, Japan Win

Fumika Watanabe Decision (split) Pancrase 331

Tokyo, Japan Loss

So Yul Kim Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) Shooto 2022 Vol.7

Tokyo, Japan Draw

Megumi Sugimoto Draw (majority) Shooto 2022 Vol.6

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Nori Decision (unanimous) Pancrase 321

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Takayo Hashi Decision (unanimous) Pancrase 316

Tokyo, Japan Win

Anne Karoline Nascimento Decision (split) Pancrase 309

Tokyo, Japan Win

Gleicielen Faria Submission (rear naked choke) Pancrase 307

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Mayra Cantuária Submission (armbar) Pancrase 304

Tokyo, Japan Win

Edna Oliveira Decision (split) Pancrase 302

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Kseniya Guseva Decision (split) Pancrase 297

Tokyo, Japan Win

Seul Gi Jeon Decision (unanimous) GRANDSLAM 7: Way of the Cage

Tokyo, Japan Win

Ji Yeon Seo Submission (rear naked choke) TTF Challenge 07

Tokyo, Japan Win

Hae In Kim Decision (split) Road FC 040

Seoul, South Korea Win

Jin Hee Kang Decision (unanimous) Road FC 037 XX

Seoul, South Korea Win

Satsuki Kodama Decision (unanimous) Deep Jewels 15

Tokyo, Japan Win

Jin Hee Kang Decision (unanimous) Deep Jewels 14

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Rin Nakai TKO (elbows) Pancrase 279

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Brogan Walker Decision (unanimous) PXC 50

Mangilao, Guam NC

Jessica-Rose Clark No Contest TTF Challenge 05

Tokyo, Japan Win

Slavka Vitaly Decision (split) Pancrase - 268

Tokyo, Japan Win

Sayako Fujita KO (punch) Real FC 2 - Zone & Real 2

Yokohama, Japan Loss

Shizuka Sugiyama Technical Submission (armbar) Deep - Dream Impact 2014: Omisoka Special

Saitama, Japan Loss

Su Jeong Lim Decision (unanimous) Revolution 2 - Start of the Revolution

Seoul, South Korea Professional boxing record