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Nong-O and Han Zihao have shown each other a lot of respect. Photo: One Championship

Chinese fighter Han Zihao faces date with Muay Thai destiny as he faces his idol Nong-O for One world title

  • Han moved to Thailand as a youngster to learn his craft
  • Thailand’s Nong-O is a veteran of 312 fights

Unheralded Chinese fighter Han Zihao stands on the brink of Muay Thai stardom this weekend. All that stands in his way is one of the sport’s greatest-ever warriors.

Han (60-15) will meet Thai legend Nong-O Gaiyanghadao (257-54-1) as the headline event on One Championship’s Clash of Legends card in Bangkok on Saturday night in a battle for the Singapore-based organisation’s first world Muay Thai bantamweight title.

The 23-year-old from Zhoukou in eastern Henan province concedes that no one would have considered this bout possible as close as 12 months ago, least of all himself.

“Back then this fight was still a dream,” Han said. “I know there are people who say I don’t deserve this fight, that I am too young and I don’t have the experience. On Saturday night I will go out there and I will shut them up.”

Han has been one of the breakout stars of One’s Super Series, an innovative competition of stand-up bouts which started appearing last year alongside action in the organisation’s MMA divisions.

There was a stutter on debut, and a defeat to Cypriot Panicos Yusuf (38-7) that the Chinese fighter put down to stage fright. Since then Han has gone on a 3-0 tear including a first-round TKO of Malaysia’s Azwan Che Wil last time out in November. He’s been the most active fighter on the Super Series roster.

“I underestimated my opponent in that first fight,” Han said, during a break from promotional activities this week in Bangkok. “That was a big lesson for me and I will never do that again. I have grown in strength and confidence and I want to return to China with this title. I want to take my place in history.”
China’s Han Zihao in action against Greek fighter Stergos Mikkios in September 2018. Photo: One Championship

Such an honour has already long been cemented by Nong-O, the 32-year-old fighter who is talked about by fans in hushed almost reverent tones, given his record and the fact that he is a four division Lumpinee champion, the venue considered the sport’s spiritual home.”

“I have been watching his fights since I was a boy,” Han said. “I remember the first time when I didn’t really know who he was, and I saw his power and his speed and he became my idol. But times change and I am the young one who wants to take his crown.”

Han had arrived in Bangkok at just 14 years of age on a one-way ticket and with nothing more than coins in his pocket and hope in his heart. He badgered the people at the Lookbanyai gym to teach him how to fight in exchange for cleaning duties and was given a space on the floor where he could sleep.

At first, other fighters didn’t quite know what to make of this kid from China, who had arrived not knowing a word of Thai. Han says the early days were tough, as more seasoned gym rats tried to push him around, but that the bullying eased once they saw how passionate he was about learning the skill set necessary to become a professional Muay Thai fighter.

Han Zihao will meet Thai legend Nong-O Gaiyanghadao in Bangkok on Saturday. Photo: One Championship

It took two years of hard graft before Han was ready for his debut fight – against a man twice his age – and with the 1,000 baht he earned for his victory he was finally able to buy a mattress.

“There was only one time when I got so lonely and tired I wanted to give up,” Han said. “I stopped for a few weeks and planned to go home but I found I loved this sport so much and I missed the training, even the hardships. I realised that fighting is part of who I am.”

Han’s talent was first spotted while he was training in Sanda, the Chinese form of kick-boxing, at age 11, after a brief flirtation with wushu, and he was quickly recruited by the national Muay Thai squad in Shanghai. It was coaches there who suggested the best way for Han to perfect his craft was to go to where the sport began, and he was among the first ever Chinese fighters to set up base full-time in Bangkok.

Han Zihao will meet Thai legend Nong-O Gaiyanghadao in Bangkok on Saturday. Photo: One Championship

Now fighting out of the Mad Muay Thai Gym, Han has worked his way into the public eye, after sometimes fighting for as little as 600 baht.

At Wednesday’s weigh-in, Nong-O paid his respects to Han and to the journey the Chinese fighter’s life has so far taken him on.

“Han Zihao is very fast and he is a great athlete. I will tell you one thing, I will not underestimate him,” Nong-O said. “Through hard practice and training, I have become stronger. Expect the best version of Nong-O Gaiyanghadao in the ring this Saturday night. I’m coming for the belt and it would be an honour to be crowned the first ever One Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion.”

Han will have a height and reach advantage but will have to find a way past Nong-O’s devastating speed and power, things the Chinese fighter is well aware of.

“I know he has a great right kick, it’s heavy and fast and dangerous,” Han said. “I want to avoid that and have confidence in my own heavy punches. I have to hit him and hit him hard.”

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