
Jerome Le Banner is one of K-1’s most prominent fighters. The 190cm (6’3″) and 120kg (265lbs) mountain of muscle is intimidating looking to say the least. With nicknames such as Hyper Battle Cyborg, you might expect him to pump ice water through his veins as he knocks out opponents in pursuit of numerous kickboxing titles.
However, while training in Japan the fighter recently won the hearts of Japanese people everywhere when he showed great compassion by tenderly holding the hand of an elderly woman as he helped her cross the road.
According to the tweet from Gong Martial Arts, Le Banner and Master Hiroshi Aizawa of Chakuriki Japan Koga were walking along the street after working out at the Gold’s Gym in Omori, Tokyo. There they saw an elderly lady falling over as she was trying to cross the road.
Le Banner, or “Banna” as he’s affectionately called in Japan, went over and helped the woman up. After that the former World Muay Thai Super Heavyweight Champion went the extra mile and held the lady’s hand as he escorted her safely to the other side of the road.
Twitter users responded with unanimous praise calling Le Banner a “helluva good guy,” “sweet,” and “handsome,” with many others commenting and showing their appreciation of the martial artist’s good deed.
Even without knowing kickboxing or Jerome Le Banner, it’s hard not to be touched by this image of a man who looks like he should be beheading tigers in ancient Rome showing such sensitivity. It goes to show that a true man is judged by the strength of his character. All the muscles and brute force in the world alone doesn’t make you a real man.
Unless, you happen to be within arm’s reach of me… then you automatically have my utmost respect and admiration, sirs.
Source: Twitter @GONG_KAKUTOGI
Original article by Mr. Sato
写真は7月18日午前、大森ゴールドジムでの練習後のジェロム・レ・バンナとチャクリキ古河の相澤宏使師範が、横断歩道で転倒したお年寄りを助け起こした時のもの。バンナはおばあさんの手を取って一緒に横断歩道を渡っていきました。 pic.twitter.com/wpUJpfALOp
— ゴング格闘技 (@GONG_KAKUTOGI) July 18, 2014
[ Read in Japanese ]

Hello Kitty is now a transforming truck robot[Photos]
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
7-Eleven Japan’s cooked-in-store takoyaki is here! How does it fare against the street food king?
What’s up with the “mosquito buzz” noise at Shibuya Station?
Retro Japanese train is our new favourite office space
Hello Kitty is now a transforming truck robot[Photos]
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
7-Eleven Japan’s cooked-in-store takoyaki is here! How does it fare against the street food king?
What’s up with the “mosquito buzz” noise at Shibuya Station?
Retro Japanese train is our new favourite office space
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Studio Ghibli adds new anime character puppet socks to its merchandise store in Japan
Japanese convenience store brings rice balls back to 100 yen – Is this deal worth it?[Taste test]
Burger King Japan launches King Fusion, and the possibilities are endless (and delicious)
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Secret staff cafeteria in Tokyo is a hidden gem you won’t find in travel guides
Tinder just opened a convenience store in Japan, aimed at adults only
Japan is so hungry for workers it used up its five-year visa quota in record time
“Disaster”: 2018 Kanji of the Year unveiled by Buddhist monk at Kiyomizudera temple in Kyoto
Tsujihan sushi bowl restaurant goes viral with foreign tourists, but is it worth the hype?
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Studio Ghibli adds new anime character puppet socks to its merchandise store in Japan
Japanese convenience store brings rice balls back to 100 yen – Is this deal worth it?[Taste test]
Burger King Japan launches King Fusion, and the possibilities are endless (and delicious)
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Studio Ghibli’s truck from My Neighbour Totoro now available as die-cast Takara Tomy car
Bring spring into your home with pink flower-themed Le Creuset pots and tableware!
5 of the best ice creams to try in Japan right now【Taste Test】
Prominent boob-centric manga artist shocks fans by revealing she’s a beautiful buxom woman
Senkoji: The Japanese temple that’s more like a theme park to heaven and hell
We Order Whopper With 1050 Bacon Strips, Struggle to Level Comically Huge Burger
When “yes” means “no” — The Japanese language quirk that trips English speakers up
Pizza Hut’s new Oreo pizza is like nothing we’ve ever eaten before