Shintaro Matsukura Reveals Psychological Impact After Knockout by Sinsamut Klinmee at ONE Samurai 4
After being knocked out by Sinsamut Klinmee, Matsukura admits to psychological blocking and vows to work on his difficulties to return stronger.
Matsukura Discusses Defeat and Dismisses Physical Issues
Japanese fighter Shintaro Matsukura openly addressed the factors that contributed to his loss against Thailand's Sinsamut Klinmee at ONE Samurai 4, held on October 17, 2026, at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
Matsukura was knocked out in the second round after receiving a kick to the head. Despite the outcome, the fighter assured that he arrived at the bout in excellent physical condition and pointed to psychological difficulties as a key factor that hindered his performance.
According to the Japanese fighter, the weight-cutting process, preparation, and training went according to plan. The issue arose during the fight when memories of a previous negative experience began to interfere with his decision-making.
Memories of Previous Fight Affected Performance
Matsukura explained that as soon as he began to face Sinsamut's attacks, recollections of strikes he had suffered in his last fight flooded back to him.
This situation triggered an excessive state of alertness, causing him to react disproportionately even to the slightest movements from his opponent.
Although he knew he needed to advance and pressure the Thai fighter to create offensive opportunities, the Japanese fighter was unable to execute his planned strategy.
Instead of closing the distance, he remained in a defensive position that played into Sinsamut's style.
This allowed the Thai fighter to control the distance, manage the pace of the fight, and choose the right moments to attack.
Intense Preparation Was Not Enough to Overcome Challenges
The Japanese fighter also revealed that he had dedicated a significant portion of his preparation to correcting the mistakes he had made previously.
However, he did not expect that negative memories would provoke such an intense reaction during an official competition.
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Matsukura reported that his body became excessively tense and that he began to respond disproportionately to his opponent's movements.
This difficulty prevented him from finding solutions during the fight, leaving him increasingly vulnerable to Sinsamut's attacks.
The conclusion came in the second round when the Thai fighter landed the head kick that ended the bout by knockout.
Frustration Goes Beyond the Result in the Ring
For Matsukura, the most painful aspect of the defeat was not just suffering the knockout, but realizing that he knew what he needed to do and still failed to implement his decisions.
The fighter acknowledged feelings of frustration, regret, and dissatisfaction with his own performance.
The disappointment was further intensified by the support he received from fans, who followed his preparation and showed confidence in his participation in the event.
Even while publicly analyzing the events, Matsukura admitted that emotionally accepting the result remains a difficult process.
Japanese Fighter Vows to Face Weaknesses and Correct Mistakes
Despite the frustration, Matsukura stated he is willing to acknowledge his limitations and confront the issues identified during the fight.
The Japanese fighter understands that the defeat brought lessons that extend beyond the technical and physical aspects of the sport, also involving his ability to handle adverse situations.
In his assessment, recognizing these difficulties is necessary for continued growth as an athlete and as a person.
Matsukura also thanked fans for their encouraging messages and support received after the negative result.
Mental Recovery Will Be a Challenge for His Return
The loss to Sinsamut Klinmee highlighted an obstacle that Matsukura considers crucial to overcome: the ability to translate his preparation into effective performance under pressure.
The Japanese fighter showed awareness that the necessary adjustments are not limited to physical training or technical refinement.
Now, his challenge will be to work on the reactions that compromised his performance and regain the confidence needed to execute his strategies during fights.
While not announcing a date for his next bout, Matsukura makes it clear that he intends to use the experience as a learning opportunity for his continued journey in the ring.
Source: Muay Thai Stand (Facebook)
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