New And Improved Han Zi Hao Expects Explosive Start To 2020
Han Zi Hao wants to recapture the form that established him as one of the most exciting men in ONE Super Series, and that quest begins at ONE: A NEW TOMORROW.
Next Friday, 10 January, the Chinese hero’s 2020 will kick off against Mehdi “Diamond Heart” Zatout, and he is itching to get back into action.
The last year did not bring as many bouts as the 24-year-old is used to, but the silver lining is that he has had many more hours to spend honing his skills in the gym and emerge as a new and improved competitor.
“I didn’t have as many fights as before, so I did have more time to focus on myself and improve myself,” he says.
“However, it took time, so there is always a price to pay. As 2020 approaches, I will strive to improve my shortcomings, do my best, and not let my fans down.
“I hope to improve to another level. I want to win in every fight and my final goal is to get the World Title.”
A victory at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, will put him back on the road to challenge for the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title owned by old rival Nong-O Gaiyanghadao – particularly if he can score his fourth ONE Super Series KO.
However, that will be easier said than done against the Frenchman from Venum Training Camp Thailand who is a WBC and ISKA World Champion.
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Zatout may have been out of action for more than a year, but he is powerful, durable, and has a ton of experience against some of Muay Thai’s elite names.
Now he is back to full fitness and primed to chase his first win on the global stage, Han recognizes he will have to bring his A-game to get the result he wants.
“He is a very great fighter. In order to greatly respect him, I will show him all my skills, prepare 100 percent and will give all my strength in the fight,” he explains.
“This fight will be my first big fight in 2020, so I think I have to win, give myself a big welcome gift in 2020 and go back to my home for the Chinese New Year holiday.”
Despite his caution, the Mad Muay Thai Gym representative is not short on confidence.
He may be 12 years his upcoming opponent’s junior, but he has honed his skills in “the art of eight limbs” in Bangkok for a decade, and he believes he will have the technique to rise above whatever “Diamond Heart” throws at him.
“His style is very flexible, but I feel his Thai boxing style is still not very pure, so I think I am better than him in Thai boxing,” he adds.
When it comes to a prediction for his method of victory, Han is tight-lipped, but he has never got his hand raised in the world’s largest martial arts organization without thrilling the fans.
Though he does not want to give anything away, it seems like he will have a typically crowd-pleasing game plan to get the crowd in Bangkok on its feet.
“This will be a secret – just wait and see!” he teases.
Read more: Puja Tomar Is Ready For The Biggest Match Of Her Life
