Kai Ting Chuang Hopes To Make History With A Knockout Win

Kai Ting “Killer Bee” Chuang intends to make history in her first ONE Championship appearance.

On Saturday, 7 July, she will challenge multi-time Muay Thai World Champion, and fellow ONE debutante, Yodcherry Sityodtong for the inaugural ONE Super Series Kickboxing Atomweight World Championship in the main event of ONE: BATTLE FOR THE HEAVENS.

The 23-year-old knows it will be a difficult battle, but she expects to leave China’s Guangzhou Tianhe Gymnasium with the belt, and the distinction of being Chinese Taiwan’s first ONE World Champion.

“ONE Championship is very famous. Everyone knows about it,” she states. “But to me, the most exciting part is the fight itself, because I am achieving one of my goals.

“It is my time to finally show what I have been through for the past few years of my life, and what I have learned.”

Chuang started boxing at the age of 16, and though she entered the National Taiwan University of Sport on a boxing scholarship, she later transitioned to kickboxing and Muay Thai. 

She studied all three striking arts under famed coach Wang Chung Yaun, a former K-1 competitor and six-time Chinese Taiwan Boxing Champion.

By the end of her freshman year, she had begun her professional kickboxing career, and proved to be more than adept in the ring.

“Killer Bee,” who trains at Iron Boxing in Taichung, Chinese Taiwan, has compiled a solid 16-5 professional record. She even beat the likes of multiple-time Muay Thai World Champion Ayaka “Little Tiger” Miyauchi on the way to a pair of WAKO National Kickboxing Championships in her homeland. 

Now, Chuang has the chance to become the inaugural ONE Super Series Kickboxing Atomweight World Champion. In doing so, she would be the first woman to win a belt in ONE Super Series.

“Being a World Champion has been my dream,” she states. “This match means so much to me. I can leave my name in the history of Chinse Taiwan as the first woman who won a world title in ONE Championship.”

In order for her to claim that achievement, however, she must defeat a tough opponent.

Yodcherry, known for her aggression and knockout power, honed her skills at the world-renowned Sityodtong gym in Pattaya, Thailand.

She has won several Muay Thai World Championships, and amassed an incredible 81-18-1 professional record. After cleaning out her division, the Thai superstar competed in heavier weight classes, and even took on 30 bouts against male opposition in the ring. She defeated all but one of those men.

The 19-year-old Thai has since relocated to Singapore’s Evolve MMA, where she trains alongside ONE Super Series Muay Thai Flyweight World Champion Sam-A Gaiyanghadao, as well as other legends of the sport such as Nong-o Gaiyanghadao and Singtongnoi Por Telakun.

Despite her rival’s impressive background, Chuang believes she has all the tools necessary to deliver a highlight-reel performance,  and clinch the victory in Guangzhou.

“I will KO her,” she declares. “My strong points are my speed and strength. My kicks are fast, and my movement is excellent. She will not be able to catch me.”

For “Killer Bee,” that would be the realization of a lifelong dream, which, at certain points, felt impossible.

Abandoned by her parents, Chuang was rescued and raised single-handedly by her grandmother on a humble income. To help make ends meet, she sold fruit in a night market during high school.

Maintaining her studies, her training, and her part-time job was difficult, but Chuang never gave up on her pursuit of greatness. She remained dedicated to her goals, and now she is enjoying the fruits of her labor.

Chuang wants to use her position on a global platform to inspire women and girls around the world, and if she can defeat Yodcherry for the World Title on 7 July, her message would be even more powerful.

“I want to tell girls that if I can make it, so can you,” she says.

“Do not run away from your dreams because of fear. The sweat and the pain you have been through will be nothing compared to the result you will get from it. The most important thing is you need to take the first step.”