Chu Sung-hoon Marries Japanese Model Shiho Yano

By Kim Jae-won
Staff Reporter

Korean-Japanese fighter Chu Sung-hooon, named Akiyama Yoshihiro in Japanese, has recently married Japanese model Shiho Yano.

Shiho posted on her blog Tuesday that they had recently registered their marriage.

``I'm comfortable to be with Akiyama. I'm grateful I met him,'' Chu's new wife said.

Shiho, 32, often called ``Charismatic Shiho," is famous in Japan.

Chu also confirmed his marriage on his Web site, Tuesday.

``I have something to say. Shiho Yano and I have registered the wedding.''

The couple was reported to have met in January 2007.

The wedding date and procedure were not made public.

Chu joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) last month. The 33-year-old said that he wanted to win the UFC title in a press conference in Seoul last week.

He is likely to debut in the US-based Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) organization in July.

shosta@koreatimes.co.kr