Shoya Ishiguro

Shoya Ishiguro's 2018 competitive season stands as one of the most impressive single-year runs produced by any athlete on the Japanese and Asian BJJ circuit. Competing under the banner of Carpe Diem, Ishiguro captured four major titles in rapid succession — the IBJJF Asian Open, the JBJJF All Japan, the UAEJJF Grand Slam Tokyo, and the Rickson Gracie Cup. The consistency required to sweep that collection of prestigious events marked him as the standout competitive performer of the year across the region.

Ishiguro capped his 2018 campaign with a runner-up finish at the UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro in the 69kg division. In the final against Lucas Rodrigues, the match was stopped due to a cut on Ishiguro's face — a difficult conclusion to what had otherwise been an exceptional tournament run. The silver medal, earned under trying circumstances, reflected the overall caliber of his season and confirmed his standing among the top competitors at his weight globally.

The breakout year also served as further evidence of Carpe Diem's growing reputation for developing high-level competitive athletes capable of performing across multiple major international platforms.

On May 24, 2024, Shoya Ishiguro competed at ONE Friday Fights 64, bringing his submission grappling skills to one of Asia's most prominent combat sports stages. Ishiguro submitted Bruno Azevedo with a heel hook at the 9:17 mark — a late, decisive finish that underscored his patience and technical composure. Rather than force early opportunities, Ishiguro remained calculated and dangerous deep into a grueling contest, allowing his timing and positional awareness to create the decisive opening.

The finish against Azevedo reinforced the broader narrative of Carpe Diem producing athletes who translate traditional BJJ competition success into compelling performances on international submission and combat sports platforms. For Ishiguro, the ONE Friday Fights 64 appearance represented a meaningful expansion of his competitive profile well beyond the regional tournament circuit that first brought him to prominence.