Musashi
Born	Akio Mori (森昭生) (1972-10-17) October 17, 1972 (age 52) Sakai, Osaka, Japan
Native name	武蔵
Nationality	Japan
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight	103 kg (227 lb)
Style	Seidokaikan karate
Stance	Southpaw
Trainer	Frankie Liles
Years active	1995–2009
Kickboxing record
Total	85
Wins	49
By knockout	19
Losses	30
By knockout	10
Draws	5
No contests	1
Last updated on: September 26, 2009

Akio Mori (森 昭生, Mori Akio, born October 17, 1972), better known by the name Musashi (武蔵), is a Japanese former professional karateka and kickboxer. He is a four-time K-1 Japan tournament champion, a former WAKO Heavyweight Muay Thai champion and two-time K-1 World Grand Prix finalist. Following a 14-year career, he announced his retirement at a press conference in Tokyo on August 26, 2009.^[1]

He holds notable wins over Ray Sefo, Peter Aerts, Masaaki Satake and Rick Roufus.

Mori was born in Sakai, Osaka, Japan. After he started practicing Seidokaikan karate, he took his ring name from the famous samurai Musashi Miyamoto, as his kicking techniques were said to resemble the latter's sword-slashing moves. Musashi took part in international karate competition, and this eventually overlapped with his kickboxing career. In 1995, he earned 4th place at the Seidokaikan Karate World Cup.^[2]

Musashi made his entrance into kickboxing and K-1 debut with an impressive knockout victory over fellow karate competitor Patrick Smith in 1995. Despite this initial splash, his first three years with the organization were mostly marked by loss, and he emerged from 1998 with a K-1 record of 4-8-1 (1).^[3] The following year saw a reversal in fortune, as Musashi secured his rival Kirkwood Walker’s WAKO Pro World Muay Thai Heavyweight title and won his first tournament – the K-1 Spirits '99 Japanese Grand Prix. The year ended with him earning entry to the K-1 Grand Prix '99 final round, but advancing no further than the quarter-finals.^[4]

He spent much of the following three years achieving noteworthy but limited success. He won the K-1 Spirits 2000 and K-1 Andy Spirits Japan GP 2002 Final tournaments, but regularly lost to top stars like Ernesto Hoost and Jérôme Le Banner.^[5] This changed with his entry to the K-1 World Grand Prix 2003. On December 6, 2003, Musashi defeated six-time world titlist Ray Sefo and three-time K-1 World Grand Prix champion Peter Aerts en route to the finale against rising superstar Remy Bonjasky. Musashi lost the match by unanimous decision after Bonjasky repeatedly penetrated the weary fighter’s defenses.

Despite this loss, Musashi’s runner-up status in K-1’s most prestigious annual tournament elevated him to prominence. Upholding his new standard, he remained undefeated throughout most of the following year, achieving a four-match winning streak that brought him to the K-1 World Grand Prix 2004. He defeated returning opponent Ray Sefo and Thai sensation Kaoklai Kaennorsing before meeting Remy Bonjasky in the finals for the second time. The match was a furious contest, with Musashi bringing his opponent to one knee with low kicks and sending Bonjasky out of the ring by dodging a lunging kick. With the judges undecided after the initial three rounds, an additional round was ordered, and then another. Despite showcasing excellent agility throughout by evading Bonjasky’s kicks and knees, Musashi was visibly exhausted by the final round and endured several unanswered strikes that resulted in his defeat by unanimous decision.

The bout marked the last time Musashi reached the WGP finals, though he made it to the semifinals the following year. His regional tournament wins were behind him now, too: despite winning his semifinal match at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2007 in Hong Kong, a groin injury kept him from advancing. Over the next four years, Musashi accumulated wins and losses fairly evenly. He sought retirement as the end of the decade neared and announced his intentions on August 26, 2009, along with a request to enter the WGP one last time.^[1] Despite not having fought that year or being among the previous year's top eight competitors, Musashi was inserted into the tournament's elimination rounds by popular vote and fought what was to be his final match on September 26, 2009 at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 in Seoul Final 16. He faced longtime K-1 veteran Jérôme Le Banner and put on a valiant performance, avoiding Le Banner’s heavy strikes while landing his own. Then, in the final 40 seconds of the third round, he was knocked down by a powerful combination. In the end, Le Banner won by unanimous decision.^[6] Failing to qualify for the year’s WGP, Musashi – age 37 – announced that he would not enter the ring again.

At the time of his retirement, Musashi was arguably the most successful active Japanese kickboxer of the heavyweight division. An ex-world champion and winner of four regional tournaments, he was also one of only nine fighters to reach the WGP finals more than once. During his 14-year career, he defeated at least eight current or former world champions and one WGP winner.

In August 2009, Musashi co-founded the martial arts promotional company Pound for Pound Co., Ltd. with his younger brother (and fellow K-1 alumnus) Tomo. He currently serves as the company’s senior managing director.

In 2010, the company produced the Musashi Rock Festival – a combination rock concert and fighting event. The show took place on October 23 in Tokyo and featured performances by Sex Machineguns, Maximum the Hormone, and Loudness. The main event was an exhibition kickboxing match between Musashi and his brother. After fighting his sibling to a two-round draw, Musashi joined Sex Machineguns onstage to perform the songs “Iron Fighter” and “Death Game.” Musashi has stated that he would like to hold the festival again in the future.^[7]

Beginning in the mid-2000s, Musashi engaged in an acting and television career. His first dramatic role was as a guest star in the mystery series Kyôto chiken no onna, and he was a frequent guest on Japanese talk shows and variety programs. His most famous role was playing Issei Kurosaki/Kamen Rider Caucasus in the 2006 tokusatsu superhero film Kamen Rider Kabuto: God Speed Love.

In conjunction with the film part, Musashi provided voice acting for the same character in the video game Kamen Rider: Battride War II.

Musashi also appeared in the music videos for “Bonds” by Galneryus and the Mihimaru GT/Soffett collaborations “Skinats” and “Crying Summer.”

Musashi's entrance theme - "Battleship Musashi" - was recorded by Japanese heavy metal band Loudness. Musashi took part in the band's 25th anniversary concert at the Tokyo International Forum, where he personally congratulated the performers.

Musashi's manner of fighting was fairly unique for a K-1 front runner in that he was a technical fighter who relied primarily on his fists for offense. A longtime student of former WBA Super Middleweight champion Frankie Liles, Musashi would continually employ the powerful kicks that inspired his stage name but focused on punching combinations to wear down his opponents. He was a conservative fighter whose technical approach resulted in relatively few knockout victories for a K-1 headliner, but he also boasted a steely defense that made KO losses a rarity as well.

K-1 producer Sadaharu Tanikawa^[8] and fighter Peter Aerts have praised Musashi's strong defense, with Aerts also complimenting his kicking and clinch-fighting abilities.^[9] Conversely, Aerts criticized his punching power^[9] and Tanikawa his lack of aggressiveness.^[8]

• K-1
  • K-1 World Grand Prix 2004 runner-up
  • K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 runner-up
  • K-1 Survival 2003 Japan Grand Prix Final champion
  • K-1 Andy Spirits Japan GP 2002 Final champion
  • K-1 Andy Memorial 2001 Japan GP Final runner-up
  • K-1 Spirits 2000 champion
  • K-1 Spirits '99 champion

• World Association of Kickboxing Organizations
  • 1999 WAKO Pro World Heavyweight Muay Thai Champion

Kickboxing Record

49 Wins (19 (T)KO's, 30 Decisions), 30 Losses, 1 No Contest, 5 Draws
Date	Result	Opponent	Event	Location	Method	Round	Time	Record
2009-09-26	Loss	Jérôme Le Banner	K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 in Seoul Final 16	Seoul, South Korea	Decision (unanimous)	3	3:00	49-30-1-5
Fails to qualify for K-1 World Grand Prix 2009.
2008-12-31	Loss	Gegard Mousasi	Dynamite!! 2008	Saitama, Japan	TKO (referee stoppage)	1	2:32	49-29-1-5
2008-04-13	Loss	Ewerton Teixeira	K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 in Seoul Final 16	Seoul, South Korea	Decision (unanimous)	3	3:00	49-28-1-5
Fails to qualify for K-1 World Grand Prix 2008.
2008-06-29	Loss	Kyotaro	K-1 World GP 2008 in Fukuoka	Fukuoka, Japan	Decision (majority)	3	3:00	49-27-1-5
2008-04-13	Win	Junichi Sawayashiki	K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 in Yokohama	Yokohama, Japan	KO (left straight punch)	2	2:00	49-26-1-5
2007-12-31	Win	Bernard Ackah	K-1 PREMIUM 2007 Dynamite!!	Osaka, Japan	KO (left hook)	3	1:26	48-26-1-5
2007-12-08	Win	David Dancrade	K-1 World Grand Prix 2007 Super Fight	Yokohama, Japan	KO (left mid kick)	1	2:59	47-26-1-5
2007-08-05	Win	Wang Qiang	K-1 World Grand Prix 2007 in Hong Kong Semi-finals	Hong Kong	Disqualification	2	2:00	46-26-1-5
Despite win was unable to continue in tournament due to groin injury.
2007-08-05	Win	Yong Soo Park	K-1 World Grand Prix 2007 in Hong Kong Quarter-finals	Hong Kong	KO (left hook)	2	0:48	45-26-1-5
2007-03-04	Loss	Yusuke Fujimoto	K-1 World Grand Prix 2007 in Yokohama	Yokohama, Japan	Ext.R KO (high kick)	4	0:33	44-26-1-5
Fight was a qualification bout for the newly created K-1 Heavyweight title.
2006-12-31	Win	Randy Kim	K-1 PREMIUM 2006 Dynamite!!	Osaka, Japan	KO (right punch)	3	0:33	44-25-1-5
2006-12-02	Loss	Peter Aerts	K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 Reserve Fight	Tokyo, Japan	KO (punches)	1	2:53	43-25-1-5
2006-09-30	Loss	Chalid Arrab	K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 in Osaka opening round	Osaka, Japan	Decision (split)	3	3:00	43-24-1-5
Fails to qualify for K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 although he will be invited as a Reservist.
2006-07-30	Loss	Glaube Feitosa	K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 in Sapporo	Sapporo, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	3	3:00	43-23-1-5
2006-04-29	Loss	Semmy Schilt	K-1 World Grand Prix 2005	Las Vegas, Nevada, USA	Decision (unanimous)	3	3:00	43-22-1-5
2005-12-31	Win	Bob Sapp	K-1 PREMIUM 2005 Dynamite!!	Osaka, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	3	3:00	43-21-1-5
2005-11-19	Loss	Glaube Feitosa	K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 Semi-finals	Tokyo, Japan	KO (Flying Knee)	2	1:05	42-21-1-5
2005-11-19	Win	Ruslan Karaev	K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 Quarter-finals	Tokyo, Japan	Ext.R decision (unanimous)	4	3:00	42-20-1-5
2005-09-23	Win	Francois Botha	K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Osaka – final elimination	Osaka, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	3	3:00	41-20-1-5
Qualifies for K-1 World Grand Prix 2005.
2005-07-29	Win	Rickard Nordstrand	K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Hawaii	Honolulu, Hawaii, USA	Decision (majority)	3	3:00	40-20-1-5
2005-04-30	Win	Rick Roufus	K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Las Vegas	Las Vegas, Nevada, USA	Decision (split)	3	3:00	39-20-1-5
2004-12-31	Win	Sean O'Haire	K-1 PREMIUM 2004 Dynamite!!	Osaka, Japan	KO	2	0:44	38-20-1-5
2004-02-15	Loss	Remy Bonjasky	K-1 World Grand Prix 2004 Final	Tokyo, Japan	2nd Ext.R decision (unanimous)	5	3:00	37-20-1-5
Fight was for K-1 World Grand Prix 2004 title.
2004-02-15	Win	Kaoklai Kaennorsing	K-1 World Grand Prix 2004 Semi-finals	Tokyo, Japan	Ext.R decision (unanimous)	4	3:00	37-19-1-5
2004-02-15	Win	Ray Sefo	K-1 World Grand Prix 2004 Quarter-finals	Tokyo, Japan	Ext.R decision (unanimous)	4	3:00	36-19-1-5
2004-09-25	Win	Cyril Abidi	K-1 World Grand Prix 2004 final elimination	Tokyo, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	3	3:00	35-19-1-5
Qualifies for K-1 World Grand Prix 2004.
2004-06-06	Win	Ray Mercer	K-1 World Grand Prix 2004 in Nagoya	Nagoya, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	3	3:00	34-19-1-5
2004-03-27	Win	Akebono	K-1 World Grand Prix 2004 in Saitama	Saitama, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	3	3:00	33-19-1-5
2004-02-15	Win	Stefan Gamlin	K-1 Burning 2004	Okinawa, Japan	KO	2	0:53	32-19-1-5
2003-12-06	Loss	Remy Bonjasky	K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 Final	Tokyo, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	3	3:00	31-19-1-5
Fight was for K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 title.
2003-12-06	Win	Peter Aerts	K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 Semi-finals	Tokyo, Japan	Decision (majority)	3	3:00	31-18-1-5
2003-12-06	Win	Ray Sefo	K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 Quarter-finals	Tokyo, Japan	Decision (majority)	3	3:00	30-18-1-5
2003-09-21	Win	Yusuke Fujimoto	K-1 Survival 2003 Japan Grand Prix Final	Yokohama, Japan	Ext.R decision (majority)	3	3:00	29-18-1-5
Wins K-1 Survival 2003 Japan Grand Prix title and qualifies for K-1 World Grand Prix 2003.
2003-09-21	Win	Hiraku Hori	K-1 Survival 2003 Japan Grand Prix Semi-finals	Yokohama, Japan	KO (left low kick)	2	3:00	28-18-1-5
2003-09-21	Win	Montanha Silva	K-1 Survival 2003 Japan Grand Prix Quarter-finals	Yokohama, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	3	3:00	27-18-1-5
2003-07-27	Draw	Chris Chrisopoulides	K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 in Melbourne	Melbourne, Australia	Decision draw	3	3:00	26-18-1-5
2003-06-29	Win	Montanha Silva	K-1 Beast II 2003	Saitama, Japan	DQ (punch to a downed opponent)	2	1:50	26-18-1-4
2003-05-02	Win	Nobuaki Kakuda	K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 in Las Vegas	Las Vegas, Nevada, USA	Decision (unanimous)	3	3:00	25-18-1-4
2003-04-06	Draw	Gary Goodridge	K-1 Beast 2003	Yamagata, Japan	Decision draw	5	3:00	24-18-1-4
2002-12-07	Loss	Jérôme Le Banner	K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 Quarter-finals	Tokyo, Japan	TKO (corner stoppage)	2	0:51	24-18-1-3
2002-09-22	Win	Tsuyoshi Nakasako	K-1 Andy Spirits Japan GP 2002 Final	Osaka, Japan	2nd Ext.R decision (unanimous)	5	3:00	24-17-1-3
Wins K-1 Andy Spirits 2002 Japan Grand Prix title and qualifies for K-1 World Grand Prix 2002.
2002-09-22	Win	Tatsufumi Tomihira	K-1 Andy Spirits Japan GP 2002 Semi-finals	Osaka, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	3	3:00	23-17-1-3
2002-09-22	Win	Hiromi Amada	K-1 Andy Spirits Japan GP 2002 Quarter-finals	Osaka, Japan	Ext.R decision (majority)	4	3:00	22-17-1-3
2002-07-14	Win	Josh Dempsey	K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 in Fukuoka	Fukuoka, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	5	3:00	21-17-1-3
2002-04-21	Loss	Semmy Schilt	K-1 Burning 2002	Hiroshima, Japan	Decision (split)	5	3:00	20-17-1-3
2002-03-03	Draw	Glaube Feitosa	K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 in Nagoya	Nagoya, Japan	Decision draw	5	3:00	20-16-1-3
2002-01-11	Win	Ryuta Noji	Ichigeki	Tokyo, Japan	Decision (majority)	5	3:00	20-16-1-2
2001-08-19	Loss	Nicholas Pettas	K-1 Andy Memorial 2001 Japan GP Final	Saitama, Japan	Ext.R decision (unanimous)	4	3:00	19-16-1-2
Fight was for K-1 Andy Memorial 2001 Japan Grand Prix title. With this defeat Musashi also fails to qualify for the K-1 World Grand Prix 2001.
2001-08-19	Win	Tsuyoshi Nakasako	K-1 Andy Memorial 2001 Japan GP Semi-finals	Saitama, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	3	3:00	19-15-1-2
2001-08-19	Win	Toru Oishi	K-1 Andy Memorial 2001 Japan GP Quarter-finals	Saitama, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	3	3:00	18-15-1-2
2001-06-24	Draw	Ebenezer Braga	K-1 Survival 2001	Sendai, Japan	Decision draw	5	3:00	17-15-1-2
2001-04-15	Loss	Ernesto Hoost	K-1 Burning 2001	Kumamoto, Japan	Decision (majority)	5	3:00	17-15-1-1
2000-12-10	Loss	Ray Sefo	K-1 World Grand Prix 2000 Quarter-finals	Tokyo, Japan	TKO	1	1:38	17-14-1-1
2000-07-07	Win	Hiromi Amada	K-1 Spirits 2000 Final	Sendai, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	3	3:00	17-13-1-1
Wins K-1 Spirits 2000 Japan Grand Prix title and qualifies for K-1 World Grand Prix 2000.
2000-07-07	Win	An Hu	K-1 Spirits 2000 Semi-finals	Sendai, Japan	TKO (Low Kicks)	1	1:25	16-13-1-1
2000-07-07	Win	Ryūshi Yanagisawa	K-1 Spirits 2000 Quarter-finals	Sendai, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	3	3:00	15-13-1-1
2000-05-28	Win	Tatsufumi Tomihira	K-1 Burning 2000	Sapporo, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	3	3:00	14-13-1-1
Qualifies for K-1 Spirits 2000 Japan Grand Prix.
2000-03-19	Loss	Andy Hug	K-1 Burning 2000	Yokohama, Japan	Decision (majority)	5	3:00	13-13-1-1
2000-01-25	Loss	Peter Aerts	K-1 Rising 2000	Nagasaki, Japan	Ext.R TKO (corner stoppage)	4	1:25	13-12-1-1
1999-12-05	Loss	Mirko Cro Cop	K-1 Grand Prix '99 final round Quarter-finals	Tokyo, Japan	TKO (2 Knockdowns)	2	1:13	13-11-1-1
1999-10-05	Win	Masaaki Satake	K-1 World Grand Prix '99 opening round	Osaka, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	5	3:00	13-10-1-1
Qualifies for K-1 Grand Prix '99 final round.
1999-08-22	Win	Nobu Hayashi	K-1 Spirits '99 Final	Tokyo, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	3	3:00	12-10-1-1
Wins K-1 Spirits Japanese Grand Prix '99 title.
1999-08-22	Win	Hiromi Amada	K-1 Spirits '99 Semi-finals	Tokyo, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	3	3:00	11-10-1-1
1999-08-22	Win	Mitsuya Nagai	K-1 Spirits '99 Quarter-finals	Tokyo, Japan	KO (left mid kick)	1	3:00	10-10-1-1
1999-08-22	Win	Motoharu Yoshioka	K-1 Spirits '99 1st round	Tokyo, Japan	TKO (referee stoppage)	2	2:13	9-10-1-1
1999-06-20	Win	Kirkwood Walker	K-1 Braves '99	Fukuoka, Japan	KO (left mid kick)	5	1:50	8-10-1-1
Wins Walker's W.A.K.O. Pro World Muay Thai Heavyweight title.
1999-04-25	Win	Gary Goodridge	K-1 Revenge '99	Yokohama, Japan	Disqualification	1	2:15	7-10-1-1
1999-03-22	Win	Greg Vojtieck	K-1 The Challenge '99	Tokyo, Japan	TKO (3 knockdowns)	2	2:03	6-10-1-1
1998-10-28	Loss	Kirkwood Walker	Lords of the Ring III	England, UK	Decision	5	3:00	5-10-1-1
Fight was for Walker's W.A.K.O. Pro World Muay Thai Heavyweight title.
1999-02-03	Win	Duncan Airlie James	K-1 Rising Sun '99	Tokyo, Japan	TKO (3 knockdowns)	2	2:52	5-9-1-1
1998-10-28	Loss	Michael Thompson	K-1 Japan '98 Kamikaze	Tokyo, Japan	Decision (majority)	5	3:00	4-9-1-1
1998-07-18	Loss	Ernesto Hoost	K-1 Dream '98	Nagoya, Japan	TKO (referee stoppage)	3	2:52	4-8-1-1
1998-05-24	Draw	Masaaki Satake	K-1 Braves '98	Fukuoka, Japan	Decision draw	5	3:00	4-7-1-1
1997-07-07	Loss	Michael Thompson	K-1 Fight Night '97	Zurich, Switzerland	Decision (unanimous)	5	3:00	4-7-1
1997-04-29	Loss	Kirkwood Walker	K-1 Braves '97	Fukuoka, Japan	KO (Straight Right)	5	1:12	4-6-1
Fight was for Walker's W.A.K.O. Pro World Muay Thai Heavyweight title.
1997-03-16	Loss	Branko Cikatić	K-1 Kings '97	Yokohama, Japan	KO (right hook)	4	1:38	4-5-1
1996-12-08	Loss	Andy Hug	K-1 Hercules '96	Nagoya, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	5	3:00	4-4-1
1996-10-18	Win	Jean Riviere	K-1 Star Wars '96	Yokohama, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	5	3:00	4-3-1
1996-09-01	No Contest	Sam Greco	K-1 Revenge '96	Osaka, Japan	No Contest	3	0:22	3-3-1
Fight was declared no contest after Musashi fell out of the ring.
1996-07-20	Loss	Sadau Kiatsongrit	W.M.T.C. Cruiserweight World Title Fight	Buriram, Thailand	Decision (unanimous)	5	3:00	3-3
Fight was for Kiatsongrit's W.M.T.C. Cruiserweight World title.
1996-05-06	Loss	Mike Bernardo	K-1 Grand Prix '96 Semi-finals	Yokohama, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	3	3:00	3-2
1996-05-06	Win	Sam Greco	K-1 Grand Prix '96 Quarter-finals	Yokohama, Japan	TKO (doctor Stoppage/Dislocation of right foot toe)	1	3:00	3-1
1996-03-10	Win	Kit Lykins	K-1 Grand Prix '96 Opening Battle	Yokohama, Japan	KO (Low kick)	1	0:37	2-1
Qualifies for K-1 Grand Prix '96.
1995-12-09	Loss	Stan Longinidis	K-1 Hercules	Nagoya, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	5	3:00	1-1
1995-09-03	Win	Patrick Smith	K-1 Revenge II	Yokohama, Japan	KO (high kick)	2	0:34	1-0
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

Karate Record

Date	Result	Opponent	Event	Location	Method
1995-10-08	Loss	Shingo Koyasu	Karate World Cup '95 3rd place Qualifying Match	Japan	Decision (unanimous)
1995-10-08	Loss	Kim Tae Won	Karate World Cup '95 Semifinals	Japan	Decision (unanimous)
1995-10-08	Win	Shuichi Nishida	Karate World Cup '95 Quarterfinals	Japan
1995-10-08	Win	Shin Kishigawa	Karate World Cup '95	Japan	Decision (unanimous)
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

Profile at K-1

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