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17-year-old world champion Smilla Sundell looks back at historic win
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Sundell earns the title of the youngest fist queen of her division.
S
wedish teenage sensation Smilla Sundell showed the world that she is the best of the division after dominating Jackie Buntan in a barn burner of a matchup to become the youngest world champion in the ONE Championship.
On April 22, the 17-year-old put her relentless pressure on display to become the inaugural ONE women’s strawweight Muay Thai champion. After five intense rounds of back-and-forth beatdown, the Fairtex product got the judges nod and had the belt handed to her in Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Read also: ONE Championship, Prime Video ink multiyear deal to stream live events in North America
“It was great [when they announced me as the winner], I still couldn’t believe it! I’m still in shock,” Sundell said. “I don’t think anything in life compares to this, I love the belt, it’s so heavy and beautiful.”
The teenage superstar is now based in Pattaya, Thailand, and is surrounded by champions like Stamp Fairtex and Rodtang Jitmuangnon who spurred the young athlete onto greatness. Despite her incredible display of skill in the Circle, Sundell realizes that there are holes in her game that need to be addressed to be able to better defend her reign in the women’s Muay Thai strawweight division.
“[Stamp said to me on fight night] ‘bring that belt home and do your thing,’” Sundell explained. “I was happy with my performance and my jabs were good, but there are a lot more improvements to be made.”
“The Hurricane” has gone from newcomer to ONE Championship Super Series to a World Title holder in a span of a few months. The newly crowned champion is already eyeing her return to further cement her reign over the division.
Sundell aims to take on anyone who is willing to challenge her supremacy atop the division, though she is also open to the idea of lacing on the kickboxing gloves and fighting the ranked opponents there.
“I saw Imam Barlow did great in her last outing, I think that would be a fun matchup, but I’d fight anyone,” she said. “For sure I want to fight in kickboxing too, why not? I think another world champion belt would be nice.”
Despite her eagerness to return to the Circle, Sundell plans to take some time to enjoy her victory and spend the $50,000 performance bonus. She plans to use the bonus to spoil herself and eat her fill of her favorite food.
Watch ONE 157 on May 20 in ONE Super App and subscribe to ONE Championship on YouTube!
This article is published in collaboration with ONE Championship
