Shoa Arii (Japanese: 有井渚海, Arii Shoa, born May 19, 2001) is a Japanese kickboxer, currently competing in the super bantamweight division of RISE.
As of August 2022 he was the #10 ranked strawweight kickboxer in the world by Combat Press.[2]
Kickboxing career
Shooto
Arii made his professional debut against Yuki Hamada at RISE WORLD SERIES 2019 Semi Final Round on July 21, 2019. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[3] Arii next faced Lehe at ONE Warrior Series 8 on October 5, 2019. He won the fight by a third-round technical knockout, due to doctor stoppage.[4] Arii faced the unbeaten Ryoga Terayama in his third and final fight of the year at Stand up vol.1 on December 22, 2019. The fight was ruled a unanimous decision draw, with scores of 29–29 across the board.[5]
Arii faced Tatsuma Kinosada at Shooto 2020 Vol.4 in Osaka on July 12, 2020. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[6] Arii made his second appearance at a Road To ONE event two months later, as he was booked to face Naoya Kuroda at ROAD to ONE 3rd: Tokyo Fight Night on October 9, 2020.[7] He won the fight by a second-round knockout, stopping Kuroda with a well placed knee to the body.[8]
Arii returned to RISE in order to face Ryoga Terayama at RISE Dead or Alive Osaka on November 1, 2020. He won the rematch by majority decision, with two scorecards of 30–29 and one scorecard of 29–29.[9] Arii faced Yu Hiramatsu at ROAD to ONE 4th: Young Guns on February 22, 2021.[10] He won the fight by a second-round knockout, as the referee opted to stop the bout following the third knockdown.[11]
Arii participated in the 2021 Cage Kick Championship tournament, held at Shooto 2021 Vol.4 on July 4, 2021. He was able to beat Ryunosuke Omori and Takuro by unanimous decision, in the quarterfinals and semifinals respectively, but came up short against Ryoga Terayama in the finals. Although the pair fought to a draw after three rounds in their trilogy match, Terayama was awarded a split decision following the extra fourth round.[12]
RISE
Arii made his third RISE appearance against Kyosuke at RISE WORLD SERIES 2021 Yokohama on September 23, 2021. He won the fight by unanimous decision. Two of the judges scored the fight 30–28 in his favor, while the third judge scored the fight 30–29 for him.[13][14]
Arii faced Hyuga at RISE 162 on October 30, 2022, following a thirteen-month absence from the sport.[15] He won the fight by unanimous decision, with all three judges awarding him every single round of the bout.[16]
Arii faced Koyata Yamada at RISE WORLD SERIES / SHOOTBOXING-KINGS on December 25, 2022.[17] He lost the fight by knockout, as he was floored with a counter right straight at the 1:21 minute mark of the second round.[18]
Arii faced Yugo Kato RISE 174 at on December 10, 2023.[19] He lost the fight by majority decision, with scores of 30–29, 29–28 and 29–29.[20]
Arii was scheduled to face Musashi Matsushita at RISE EL DORADO 2024 on March 17, 2024.[21] He withdrew from the bout due to injury.