Thai transgender fighter to enter Muay Thai ring in M’sia
BANGKOK: Thailand’s famous transgender Muay Thai fighter Nong Rose, whose real name is Somros Bancharoensuk, will compete in the 9th Z1 Royal Kedah World Muay Thai Challenge next month.
The championship, which will bring together 28 exponents from around the world, will be held at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre ( MIEC), Langkawi from Nov 30 to Dec 1.
“The exponents are from 10 countries including Malaysia. We are expecting about 5,000 spectators,” the championship founder Zahari Ahmad Razali told Bernama recently.
He was met after signing an agreement with Nong Rose’s management to enable the 21year- old fighter to compete in the championship.
He added that Nong Rose, who has been described as phenomenon in Thailand and in the world, would be the top draw at the championship and he also hoped that the Thai would help further promote the sport in Malaysia.
Zahari, who is also the technical director, said the event is sanctioned by the World Muay Thai Council and Muay Thai Association of Malaysia. Speaking to Bernama through an interpreter, Nong Rose, who puts on makeup and has a hairdo before getting into the ring, was all ga-ga about coming to Malaysia.
“I am very excited about making my Malaysian debut,” said Nong Rose.
Nong Rose picked up Muay Thai at the age of eight and has since competed in more than 300 bouts against male exponents, and won most of it by knockouts.
Earlier this year, Nong Rose made her European debut and became the first transgender fighter to enter the ring in France.