After wreaking havoc in Japan and capturing the 90kg World Grand Prix title, and earning a slew of first-round knockouts in various fashion. The new grand prix champion and holder of K-1’s silver belt, Lukas Achterberg, sat down with us for an interview after his historic and brutal run.
With him winning via brutal left hook, a stabbing toe kick, and finishing the tournament with a crushing calf kick to claim the silver belt and make his brutal debut at the top of the sport of kickboxing.
Lukas Achterberg’s comeback from injury and staying in the sport
After his two-year layoff following his first and only loss in his career in the promotion Senshi, Lukas Achterberg revealed that he had planned to switch sports entirely before changing his mind after being offered the opportunity to fight in the 2026 K-1 Grand Prix.
“Actually, my plan was to stop kickboxing. I was focusing on MMA and made my debut last year. I was supposed to fight in November, but I got a staph infection and had to cancel.“
“For me, it was always a dream to fight for K-1. I’m 29, so I grew up watching K-1 on Eurosport in Germany with all the legends. This was something I wanted to do for myself and my career. If you have the chance to fight in Japan, you take it, right? One guy got injured, I got the offer to fight Satari in the first fight, and suddenly I’m in the tournament. I had nothing to lose and everything to win.“
With his move to MMA being derailed by the happy surprise of a shot at historic kickboxing Glory, and winning. And with the rise of the J-kick style of kickboxing as popularized by a slew of Japanese stars, most notably slick karate operator Yuki Yoza. Lukas Achterberg opened up how he became so diverse in his striking offense that put down the competition in K-1
All I do is watch fights. I put a lot of time into the sport outside of the ring. I keep an open mind because anyone can teach you something. With my height, I can’t fight like other people; I have to do it differently.
When the High Tower was asked about making history in only being the second German fighter to win a Grand Prix, with the other being Enriko Kehl, a Grand Prix champion. And Lukas Achterbering being the first Grand Prix champion. Unfortunately, he responded with a more somber tone.
“That sounds great. If people in Germany realized it, it would be even better. Kickboxing isn’t that big over here, so there isn’t much media talking about it. But I love this sport and I’m very proud of myself.”
With the German menace being loved by kickboxing fans around the world, and especially in Japan, now after becoming a historic champion. Lukas Achterberg talked about facing the current champion, the dangerous and wild Thian De Vries. A man whom Achterberg has even trained with previously.
“I think the people want to see the Thian fight. That’s what the media in Japan asks about, and we are here to give the fans what they want. I want the gold belt. I know Thian; we’ve trained together before. He’s a great guy and what he’s done in a short time is impressive. But if we have to go, we have to go. We’ll see what the matchmakers have, but I’m ready to fight anybody.“
With Achterberg being big even for the cruiserweight division, standing at 6’6 in height. When floated the idea of a potential future heavyweight run. The German striker thoroughly humored the idea.
Let’s go. No weight cut is better for me. I’d like to be around 105kg for heavyweight—I don’t want to be too heavy because it doesn’t fit my style. I train with heavyweights, so I’m used to it.
And finally, with his flag firmly planted in Japan’s K-1 scene and with ONE Championship encroaching on the land of the rising sun with their ONE Samurai series of future cards. The idea of facing top ONE talent such as Roman Kryklia, and the new heavyweight champion, and fellow Senshi Veteran Samet Agdeve.
That would be a great fight. He’s a very good fighter—strong, heavy, good technique, and a good eye.
But she firmly stated that he is focused only on the here and now in his career.
But you have to think about the next fight first. Everything after that is just dreaming. I’m focused on what happens next.
After a crushing derailment from fighting the “High Tower,” he makes his triumphant return, and the future for the German star looks bright in kickboxing!