Emiko Raika
Encyclopedia
Emiko Raika is a Japanese female professional boxer. The former WIBA
Featherweight Champion on the World, Raika is considered one of the greatest Japanese female boxers of all time.
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."
, 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."
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.
Women's International Boxing Association
The Women's International Boxing Association a sanctioning body for women's professional boxing came into existence in July 2000, and quickly grew into a major force in the sport....
Featherweight Champion on the World, Raika is considered one of the greatest Japanese female boxers of all time.
Although more Japanese women have taken up traditionally male sports such as karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
, kickboxing
Kickboxing
Kickboxing refers to a group of martial arts and stand-up combat sports based on kicking and punching, historically developed from karate, Muay Thai and western boxing....
and wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
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
Fracture
A fracture is the separation of an object or material into two, or more, pieces under the action of stress.The word fracture is often applied to bones of living creatures , or to crystals or crystalline materials, such as gemstones or metal...
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."
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 hygienistDental hygienist
thumb|right|300px|Dental hygienist holding a scalerA dental hygienist is a licensed dental professional who specializes in preventive oral health, typically focusing on techniques in oral hygiene. Local dental regulations determine the scope of practice of dental hygienists...
, 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
Shelby Walker
Shelby Rogers was a professional boxer and mixed martial arts fighter....
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
Melissa Fiorentino
Melissa "Missy" Fiorentino is a female boxer from Cranston, Rhode Island, U.S.. Her global boxing ID is US-00-076087. Her fighting nickname is: "The Fury"It could be said that Fiorentino is a rising star in women's boxing...
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
Featherweight
Featherweight is a weight class division in the sport of boxing. There are similarly named divisions under several Mixed Martial Arts organizations and in Greco-Roman wrestling.-Professional boxing:...
(126 pounds) to move up in weight to the super featherweight
Super Featherweight
Super featherweight is a weight division in professional boxing. The maximum weight for this division is 130 pounds or 59 kilograms....
division (130 pounds).
On March 13, 2005, in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan, Raika lost a 10 round decision to Chevelle Hallback
Chevelle Hallback
Chevelle Lynette Hallback is a female boxer from Plant City, Florida. Hallback, nicknamed "Fist of Steel", has been featured on television many times, usually fighting the biggest names in the sport...
for the vacant WIBA Super Featherweight World Title.
On October 1, 2005, in Tokyo, Japan, Raika won an 8 round decision over Belinda Laracuente
Belinda Laracuente
Belinda Laracuente is a women's boxing competitor who hails from Puerto Rico. Her nickname is Brown Sugar.Laracuente's debut as a professional boxer came against Karen Nye, whom Laracuente beat...
.
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.