Kozo Takeda

Kozo Takeda ( ; born December 27, 1972) is a Japanese actor and former welterweight kickboxer who was competing in K-1 MAX. He won Rajadamnern Stadium champion at welterweight in Muay Thai on January 21, 2001. He has made both the Welterweight and Super Welterweight Rajadamnern Stadium rankings. He is currently a chief adviser of International Sohgoh Budo Federation (ISBF) and he was certified as black belt of the 5th dan in karate by ISBF.

Biography

Student era Kozo Takeda was born in Adachi, Tokyo, Japan on December 27, 1972. He played rugby when he was in high school, and entered Kokushikan University by recommendation, but dropped out as soon as he watched bouts of Branko Cikatić fight K-1 on television. He started practicing kickboxing at the Jiseikan Gym in Saitama. He joined Seido-Kaikan and increased his weight to 90 kg to enter K-1 as a heavyweight kickboxer, but he rejoined Jiseikan and debuted as a welterweight kickboxer of Shin Nihon Kickboxing Association (SNKA) on March 19, 1995.

He became an actor post his kickboxing career.

SNKA

K-1

Fight record

Titles 2003 K-1 World MAX Japan tournament runner-up 2001 Rajadamnern Stadium Welterweight champion Shin Nihon Kickboxing Association Welterweight champion

Filmography Sanada Maru (2016, TV), Ōno Harufusa Awaiting Kirin (2021, TV), Hongan-ji Kennyo The Legend and Butterfly (2023, Film), Mori Yoshinari What Will You Do, Ieyasu? (2023, TV), Hachisuka Iemasa Yuko Side B, and Hereafter (2025, Film)