Wazzup Pilipinas!
The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), recently held a Press Conference for ONE: KINGDOM OF HEROES in Bangkok, featuring participating athletes. The blockbuster event, which takes place 6 October at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand will host an incredible ensemble of world-class athletes. Photos of the press conference are available here.
Ticket information for ONE: KINGDOM OF HEROES is available at www.onefc.com.
In the main event, The Ring Magazine and reigning WBC Super Flyweight World Champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai will defend his title against an opponent yet to be announced. Also in attendance were ONE athletes Shannon “OneShin” Wiratchai, Rika “Tinydoll” Ishige, Nong-O Gaiyanghadao, Yodsanklai IWE Fairtex, and Petchmorrakot Wor. Sangprapai.
Here’s what the athletes had to say ahead of ONE: KINGDOM OF HEROES:
Srisaket Sor Rungvisai:
“I always love to compete and showcase my skills at home in Thailand, so I am thankful for ONE Championship for giving me this opportunity. History will be made on October 6. I was lucky enough to witness a ONE Championship event earlier this year and I was absolutely blown away by the level of production, the action and excitement that transpired in the Impact Arena. It was an amazing show for sure, and now I can be a part of that. Boxing is my passion and now it’s going to be an important part of ONE Championship. I can’t wait to defend my WBC Worldtitle this October. I will be working very hard to be able to retain my title. This is a new challenge, and I love challenges. I’m looking forward to defend my title in front of my home fans at the amazing ONE championship event."
Shannon “OneShin” Wiratchai:
“As one of the top lightweights in the division, I feel very close to a title shot. I am working extremely hard to produce another stunning victory in my next bout, which will come against a legend in Shinya Aoki. It’s not going to be easy, and I will have to be in the best shape of my life to do it. But with hard work, we can achieve anything. I am not worried at all with his grappling, that’s a given. What I am focusing on is what I bring to the table, and before we hit the ground, we have to exchange with striking. I don’t want to make any predictions, but I know one thing is for sure. It’s going to be an exciting fight.”
Rika “Tinydoll” Ishige:
“I have been working very hard on improving my skills, especially in the striking department where I have a lot of work to do. But each day that goes by I become more and more confident in my skills. Working with the best martial arts athletes, training partners and coaches, I am blessed. I hope to be able to represent Thailand to the best of my ability in my next match. Fans can expect a brand new Rika Ishige when I step back into the cage.”
Nong-O Gaiyanghadao:
“When ONE Championship launched the ONE Super Series, a feeling of excitement quickly came over me. I was once again ready to showcase my skills and talent to the world. I look forward to competing against the absolute best the world of striking martial arts has to offer. After a great career in Muay Thai, I am moving on to bigger and greater challenges. The future is something that truly excites me and I crave the competition. My first experience in ONE Super Series was an unforgettable one. I look forward to performing in front of millions of people once again.”
Yodsanklai IWE Fairtex:
“They say I have done many things in the sport of Muay Thai, but I feel like I have much left to accomplish. I continue to work hard on my skills everyday. Joining ONE Super Series is an exciting new challenge for me and I feel renewed in my quest for greatness. Making my debut at the last event, it’s such an amazing experience and I can’t forget it. I want to get right back in there and do it all over again. I want to compete as many times as I can and make Thailand proud on the global stage of martial arts.”
Petchmorrakot Wor. Sangprapai:
“Seeing my peers in Muay Thai make their ONE Super Series debuts, it brings a sense of excitement to me. I am much more energized in training and I am working very hard so that when my time comes, I can also give a good performance. I can’t wait for October 6 and to be able to show the world that I still have a lot left in me. ONE Super Series also hosts the best in the world in striking, and I can’t wait to test my skills against them. This is a great new development in sports, and I want to prove that Thailand still has the best Muay Thai fighters and kickboxers.”
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
