Why Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol Is Ready To Compete At Any Time

As ONE Championship’s busiest athlete, Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol has a relentless schedule that could break lesser athletes.

However, as she prepares to return to action for the ninth time in the last 18 months against Nou Srey Pov at ONE: FOR HONOR, she explains how her values have helped her on her incredible rise as Indonesia’s most successful women’s mixed martial artist.

The two-time Wushu World Championship medalist has the most wins in ONE atomweight history, and she hopes to extend that record in front of her home crowd at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta, Indonesia. 

The support of her compatriots drives “Thathie” to perform at her best, but that is far from the sole reason behind her success. 

She is humble, determined, and passionate about martial arts, and those traits first helped her to achieve success as a member of her national wushu team.

Though she struggled to earn support from her family, the Siam Training Camp representative kept working hard, and had faith that her efforts would pay off.

“I have always realized that everything is set by a more powerful force, by God’s will. If God does not allow me to win, even if I had done my best, I would have not won my battles,” she explains.

All of her martial arts training also taught her far more than just the techniques she needs to strike and grapple with her opponents.

The values she has developed and learned have helped her to push through the toughest training sessions, endure the most testing exchanges in her matches, and stay grounded in her everyday life.

“I think all of them [integrity, humility, honor, respect, courage, discipline, and compassion] have created a significant impact in my life,” she says.  

“They motivate me to grow as a good athlete, and also as a good person in life.”

The 30-year-old’s success in the ONE Circle has also given her more confidence to take on whatever challenges are thrown her way.

After every match, she becomes more comfortable performing under the lights. Almost all the anxiety she felt in her early bouts is gone, and she is now composed, calm, and fearless.

She can stick to a strategy, adapt to her opponents, and execute her techniques without any doubts in her ability.

“Now, I have become more certain in fighting my way up, and will show no hesitation in engaging with my opponent,” she says.

“I choose to play freely to the best of my abilities – under my coaches’ instructions – to put up a good show for the audience, for Indonesia.

“In general, my preparation concentrates more on my physical abilities, through heavy exercises to gain more stamina and better techniques.

“In the cage, my instincts and perfect timing come into play, and I also pay attention to my coach’s instructions.”

Ahead of another high-profile match-up in her hometown – against a Kun Khmer World Champion, no less – “Thathie” also reveals how she has learned to lift all the pressure from her shoulders as she prepares and competes.

There is a weight of expectation from her fans, who all have high hopes for her to build a winning streak and eventually challenge for the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Title.

However, although that is Lumban Gaol’s goal, she prefers to put those thoughts at the back of her mind and take every challenge as it comes. That way, she can stay relaxed, focused, and jump into action in the world’s largest martial arts organization at any time.

“I never set any ridiculous targets like how many times I should win this year. I am only trying to respond to every call from ONE Championship,” she says.

“If ONE wants me to fight once every two months, or once every three months, or even twice a month, I will be ready and perform at my best.

“I have no burdens at all. I am totally excited!”