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Producing three wins this year, Tawanchai PK.Saenchai has been officially announced as ONE’s 2022 Muay Thai Fighter of the Year.
Whilst there were other strong contenders for the award, including the likes of Nong-O Gaiyanghadao and Rodtang Jitmuangnon, the Thai fighter reached new levels this year.
Securing two knockouts, a $50,000 performance bonus and the ONE featherweight Muay Thai world championship, Tawanchai was must-watch entertainment in 2022.
On January 14, he kicked off his year with a bout against his friend Saemapetch Fairtex. Putting their friendship on hold, Tawanchai made quick work of the No.1-ranked bantamweight Muay Thai contender by stopping him in just under three minutes.
After struggling to make the bantamweight limit, the Thai striker returned to featherweight for the remainder of the year, where he faced Niclas Larsen in a title eliminator bout.
In the main event of ONE 158, the 23-year old put on another slick performance that led to a fantastic finish in the second frame. With his second finish of the year and a performance bonus picked up along the way, a bout with Petchmorakot Petchyindee for the featherweight Muay Thai gold came next.
The rising superstar’s crowning moment then came at ONE 161 on September 29. With his best performance to date, Tawanchai ended the near three-year reign of the defending champion and looked good doing it.
With three signature wins in 2022, you can guarantee that this year will be another big 12 months for the rising Thai star.
“I wanted to give my all” - Tawanchai shares mindset in world title-winning performance
Rising Muay Thai phenom Tawanchai PK.Saenchai achieved the stuff of dreams in his last fight. With a five-round war, the 23-year old defeated Petchmorakot Petchyindee to become the new ONE featherweight Muay Thai world champion.
With a unanimous decision victory, the young Thai contender was able to prove himself at the very top level against an extremely experienced opponent. Whilst he was out to showcase his abilities to the world, he also wanted to prove himself to Petchmorakot, who had reigned as a dominant champion.
In an interview with ONE Championship, he explained:
“My game plan was to fight toe-to-toe. Because that was the world title match, I wanted to give my all. I wanted to show him that I am as good as him. So, I changed my style from passive to aggressive."
In a showing of respect to his opponent, Tawanchai also offered Petchmorakot a rematch for his world title:
“It’s okay that someone who supports Petchmorakot may be upset with the result. This match was really close. I totally understand how they feel. But we should respect the judges’ decision."
The PK.Saenchai Muay Thai Gym representative is happy to compete in a rematch as to leave no doubt about who is the better competitor and who should have been awarded the judges’ decision:
“I’m ready for the rematch because I enjoyed the last fight. And there are controversies, so I’d gladly accept the rematch.”
At just 23, Tawanchai has earned over 120 career victories in the sport. He went undefeated in 2022 and won a world title in his most recent appearance in the circle.
