Thai woman boxer Phayahong welcomed home after making K-1 history

Crying tears of joy, the Buri Ram boxer said she was thrilled to win the title and become the first female Thai K-1 champion. She also thanked Thai boxing fans for their support.

She added she was ready to defend her title in Japan, as the K-1 championship organiser was lining up a fight for her at the end of the year.

Phayahong won the K-1 Women's Atomweight title (45kg) on Saturday after beating Mio Tsumura in the semi-final and Miyuu Sugawara in the final.

She is Thailand’s first female K-1 champion. The three other Thais who have won Thai K-1 championship titles are all male, namely Buakaw Banchamek, Kaew Weerasakreck and Kongnapa Weerasakreck.

Phayahong’s real name is Chanthakan Manobal. She is the cousin of K-pop singer Lalisa Manobal, better known as Lisa Blackpink. She is currently studying in the Faculty of Education at Kasetsart University.