Why Phoe Thaw Is Inspired To Be Great Like Aung La N Sang
ONE Middleweight and Light Heavyweight World Champion Aung La “The Burmese Python” N Sang (23-10, 1 NC) is the biggest sports superstar in Myanmar, but he is not the only high-profile martial artist to emerge from the country.
Phoe “Bushido” Thaw (6-0) is following in the footsteps of his compatriot – both in the cage and outside of it as an inspiration to the people of his homeland.
The undefeated featherweight first met his friend and mentor at ONE: UNION OF WARRIORS in March 2016.
Since that meeting, the pair has remained close. In fact, Aung La N Sang is a regular at Phoe Thaw’s Team PT gym when he visits the city of Yangon.
“We met in Myanmar for the first time, at the second ONE Championship event in Myanmar, when he fought Mohamed Ali,” Phoe Thaw says.
“Whenever he is in Myanmar, we meet with him. Mostly before the fights, when he’s in town, we make appointments to train together.”
“Bushido” has picked up plenty of tricks from the experienced two-division ONE World Champion when they share time on the mats, but he says the most valuable things he has learned from his mentor are not striking or grappling techniques.
Although the physical lessons are beneficial, he says his eyes have been opened by Aung La N Sang‘s psychological preparations for competition.
Phoe Thaw admires the champion’s cerebral approach and has taken a great deal of inspiration from him.
“I’ve learned a lot from him, mostly mentally,” the 33-year-old says.
“He’s not only a skilled fighter, but he has a good, strong spirit, and he has a good mentality as a fighter, too. I have taken inspiration from him as a mentally strong person.”
Phoe Thaw is known for his dedication to improving life in Myanmar through the power of martial arts.
He has seen how much Aung La N Sang has inspired the nation’s young martial artists, and he strives to do the same through his hard work and his success in the ONE cage.
If he can get “The Burmese Python” involved, too, it gives his efforts a big boost.
“He gives a message about the martial arts, and how martial arts is important for life,” Phoe Thaw says.
“He’s helped a lot with martial arts in Myanmar, to grow it as much as he can. As long as he’s in Myanmar, he helps with people’s motivation and inspiration. He inspires the people around him.
“I organize some training [sessions], and he shares his experiences in my gym. He gives a lot of inspiration to the young people.”
Phoe Thaw and Aung La N Sang will both return to the cage at ONE: PURSUIT OF GREATNESS on Friday, 26 October.
On that night in the Thuwunna Indoor Stadium, Phoe Thaw will take on the biggest test of his career when he welcomes Malaysia’s Keanu Subba (6-3) to Yangon on the main card.
They will be followed by Aung La N Sang, who will attempt to successfully defend his ONE Middleweight World Championship against undefeated challenger Mohammad Karaki (9-0) in the main event.
