Tadashi Sawamura ( January 5, 1943) is a Japanese former kickboxer whose real name is Hideki Shiraha . He was one of the first popular participants in the sport, and is sometimes (dubiously) reputed to be the world's first kickboxer.

He enjoyed great fame throughout his career, and is sometimes credited for sustaining the early boom in the popularity of kickboxing in Japan.

Biography

Hideki Shiraha was born in Manchuria, China, 1943. He practiced rugby during university.

He debuted as a professional kickboxer on April 11, 1966.

He retired on October 10, 1977.

He now manages his automobile-related company. He also enjoys teaching karate to children in his free time.

Record

• 241 total fights
• 232 wins
  • 228 by knockout
• 5 losses
• 4 draws

Career

• Oriental Lightweight champion
• Oriental Middleweight champion

Anime rendition

His exploits were the basis of an anime series called Kick no Oni (which means "The ogre of kickboxing", written by Ikki Kajiwara), and he was also a guest on an episode of the series Ultraman.

His anime series also became intensily popular in Brazil during the 70's and early 80's featuring 26 episodes under the name "Sawamu, o Demolidor". In this series, Tadashi Sawamu (Brazilian translation), was an arrogant karate fighter who was defeated by a kickboxer, leaving Sawamu in a mild coma. Once in the hospital and recovering from the comatose, his opponent's kickboxing trainer Endo, came to his hospital room and convinced Sawamu to become a kickboxer. To which after some rigorous training, he learned a devastating finishing move: "The Jumping Vacuum Knee"

The Japanese name for Hitmonlee, a Pokémon character, is Sawamurā, which is most likely a reference to Sawamura.