Ryu Hanaoka Crowned ISKA World Bantamweight Champion at Historic RISE 200
Japanese Star Defeats Djillali Kharroubi in Thrilling Five-Round World Title Battle
TOKYO, JAPAN – The landmark RISE 200 delivered a memorable main event on July 12, 2026, as Ryu Hanaoka (Japan) captured the ISKA World Bantamweight Unified Rules Kickboxing Championship (55 kg) with a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Djillali Kharroubi (France) at the iconic Korakuen Hall.
Promoted by Mr. Takashi Ito and RISE Creation Co., Ltd., the milestone 200th edition of RISE was broadcast live across Japan on ABEMA TV, with the ISKA World Championship serving as the evening’s headline attraction.
The championship bout lived up to expectations, producing an action-packed contest that featured dramatic momentum swings and relentless exchanges from the opening bell. Kharroubi struck first in the second round, landing a perfectly timed knee to the head that sent Hanaoka to the canvas and gave the French challenger an early advantage.
Hanaoka responded in spectacular fashion during the third round, returning the favor by knocking down Kharroubi and reigniting the championship battle. The Japanese contender then closed the fight strongly, edging the remaining rounds with his combination of pressure, technique, and determination.
After five fiercely contested rounds, the judges awarded Hanaoka a unanimous decision victory with scorecards of 47-46, 47-46, and 48-45, crowning him the new ISKA World Bantamweight Champion.
Adding to the significance of the occasion, the coveted ISKA championship belt was presented to Hanaoka by former ISKA Bantamweight World Champion and Japanese kickboxing superstar Tenshin, making the victory even more memorable for the hometown crowd.
The championship contest was a fitting centerpiece for the historic 200th edition of RISE, showcasing elite international competition and the excitement of world-class kickboxing. With his impressive victory over a highly respected French opponent, Ryu Hanaoka begins his reign as ISKA World Bantamweight Unified Rules Kickboxing Champion, adding another prestigious world title to Japan’s rich kickboxing legacy.