5 Things You Might Not Know About Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom

Phetjeeja OrMeekhun, a prodigious star in the world of kickboxing, stands on the brink of a monumental clash with Janet Todd, as Lumpinee Boxing Stadium transforms into a battleground on Friday in Bangkok, Thailand. The epic collision is set to unfold on ONE on Prime Video 20, a commemorative all-female event for International Women’s Day.

With nearly a year of competition under the ONE Championship banner and the interim women’s atomweight kickboxing world championship firmly clinched, Phetjeeja finds herself on the precipice of seizing her first shot at undisputed gold. With a remarkable 12-fight winning streak igniting her path, she squares off against incumbent champion Janet Todd in the marquee attraction of the event.

Ahead of the clash, here are five things you might not know about Phetjeeja:

1. A physical trait drew immediate attention.

Phetjeeja was affectionately called “Nin” by her loved ones, epitomizing her real name, which means “sapphire eyes.” She was inspired by her uncles at a very young age to pursue a career in the sport, driven by a desire to provide for her family. Her determination and heartfelt plea convinced them to support her ambitions, laying the foundation for her meteoric rise to prominence.

2. She started young.

Phetjeeja’s journey in muay thai began at the age of 7, and she already knew she wanted to be a fighter. She struggled to find a gym with female practitioners. Her father recognized her passion and built the Or Mee Khun gym at their home. The inception of her competitive journey unfolded with a bout against a male counterpart at the Mongbondaeng Stadium in the Chonburi province. She tasted defeat in her inaugural bout but emerged from the experience with invaluable lessons and an ironclad determination to continue on her path.

3. She became known as girl who could defeat boys.

From a very young age, Phetjeeja showcased her prodigious talent, amassing an impressive track record of 100 fights under her belt by the time she was 10. Interestingly, 70 of those bouts were against boys, earning her the moniker “The Girl Who Could Defeat Boys.” As she continued to hone her skills, she later assumed the mantle of “The Queen,” conquering bigger and more experienced opponents. It culminated in her crowning achievement with the WMC muay thai world championship at just 14 years old in 2016.

4. Detours were part of the journey.

Phetjeeja’s talent soon transcended the art of the eight limbs, and her quest for combat sports knowledge led her to venture into the world of boxing. She secured a spot on Thailand’s national team and earned an amateur medal before turning professional. During that time, she laid hands on the silver medal distinction at the AIBA Youth World Championships in 2018. She went on to claim the gold at the Golden Girl Box Cup in 2019 and bronze at the Southeast Asian Games in 2021. Yet, despite her success in boxing, which included a 5-0 professional record, Phetjeeja’s true calling beckoned her back to muay thai.

5. She has thrived at the highest level.

Phetjeeja started competing on the grand stage of ONE Championship in March 2023, and it has been an exceptional run thus far. She has gone 5-0, with wins over Fani Peloumpi, Ines Pilutti, Lara Fernandez, Celest Hansen and Anissa Meksen. Four of those victories resulted in stoppages.