Achievements
- 6th World Tournament 1995 (IKO-1) — 6th (Lost to Yamaki)
- 5th World Tournament 1991 — 3rd (Lost to Midori)
- 4th World Tournament 1987 — 6th (Lost to Thompson – inj.)
- 25th All Japan Tournament 1993 — 6th
- 17th All Japan Tournament 1985 — 2nd
- 16th All Japan Tournament 1984 — 1st
- 10th All Japan Weight Tournament 1993 — 3rd
- 8th All Japan Weight Tournament 1991 — 4th
- 4th All Japan Weight Tournament 1987 — 2nd
Kurosawa vs Matsui
Everyone who is familiar with the history of Kyokushin Karate has heard about the legendary fighter Hiroki Kurosawa, or seen videos of his matches. To this day, Kurosawa remains a symbol of ruthless attacks and devastating low kicks. Relentlessly attacking and moving forward to simply destroy opponents. At one point Kurosawa‘s kicks were measured by a device to deliver 1420 pounds of striking power!
Kurosawa burst onto the tournament scene in 1984, when he became the first player to win the Japan Cup, in his first attempt. He continued the winning streak a year later, when he reached the final where he lost to Shokei Matsui.
In his first World Championships, he reached the quarter-finals, but he could not fight because of the numerous injuries he had suffered in the great victorious battle with the Dutchman – Peter Smit, a fight that became known as an example of “true Kyokushinkai Fighting Spirit”.
Kurosawa vs Yamaki at the 5th World Tournament
Four years later, in the fifth World Cup, he went a step further and reached the top four, where he lost to later champion – Kenji Midori.
In 1995, in his third World Cup, Kurosawa achieved what could not be done be any other player – reaching the top eight for the third time. Unfortunately, he lost another fight with his old rival Kenji Yamaki, the later winner.
Kurosawa’s ‘push forward’ mentality was daunting for fighter’s he faced, as he would try to cause as much damage as possible, whilst waiting for the opportunity to make a mistake, and then go for the KO.
Hiroki Kurosawa was under rehabilitation from knee surgery in 2016, but died of acute heart failure on March 25th, 2017.
