Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol Ready To Build On 'Amazing' 2018

Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol is preparing to begin another epic year in ONE Championship with a triumphant homecoming in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Last year’s most active competitor in The Home Of Martial Arts will face Puja Tomar at ONE: ETERNAL GLORY on Friday, 19 January in search of a victory to add to the five she achieved in 2018. 

“Thathie’s” spectacular form followed a difficult start in the promotion, but she turned the tables to record a “magnificent year” that made her a star in her homeland.

She says it was a “struggle of perseverance,” but it propelled her towards the top of the atomweight division – ever closer to a shot for the World Title currently held by “Unstoppable” Angela Lee.

The Indonesian wushu champion is both pleased and humbled with such a rapid rise on the global stage for martial arts.

“I am very happy. I am only wishing that I can do better in 2019,” Lumban Gaol says.

“I never knew [I was more active than any other athlete] and was only aware when I read the nickname as ‘the busiest ONE athlete in 2018.’

“I did not have any ambitions [in my early days], as I only strive and persevere to prepare the best for every bout and unleash all of my abilities – doing my best to win.”

Now matched with Tomar, “Thathie” is looking forward to adding to the quintet of wins on her professional record.

However, her overall goal goes far beyond getting her hand raised and marching on towards the gold. The 30-year-old wants to become a role model for everyone in Indonesia.

“I want to become the pride of my parents, my family, and my country,” she says.

“I want to be an example for many people, to prove that everything is possible when you count on God as your strength.”

That dream started to become a reality last year when she began her terrific form with a first-round TKO of Audreylaura Boniface. That led to submissions of Krisna Limbaga and Rome Trinidad before she completed her remarkable run with unanimous decision wins over Jomary Torres and Angelie Sabanal. 

Among all of that success, Lumban Gaol says her best and most uplifting moment in 2018 came about when she dominated Torres in her hometown at ONE: CONQUEST OF HEROES. By giving “The Zamboanginian Fighter” her first taste of defeat, “Thathie” remained unbeaten in Jakarta.

However, it was not just her performance or the result that makes it stand out.

“That became my favorite moment because my father was there to see the bout against Torres,” she explains.

“This was the first time ever [that my family attended] after several times appearing in ONE bouts.”

Those three rounds in September showed the world what Lumban Gaol was capable of over 15 minutes in the cage, but she believes her best martial arts moments came when she unleashed a pair of stunning finishes at ONE: KINGS OF COURAGE and ONE: QUEST FOR GOLD.

“I think [the Boniface win] was my best performance. It was my first victory in ONE Championship,” Lumban Gaol says.

“But my best finish was when I stopped Krisna Limbaga with a submission. That was the first time that I had ever finished a bout with such a technique.”

Despite last year’s success, “Thathie” has not changed her approach. She may be well known among her compatriots and carry the hopes of a nation, but her feet are still firmly on the ground, and she trains hard to improve her skills every day.

She admits she sometimes breaks down in tears from exhaustion between training sessions, but she is motivated by her training partners and coaches to push through so she can continue to excel in the world’s largest martial arts organization.

“I practice, practice, and practice to become the best I can be,” she says.

“I cannot thank Siam Training Camp and Siam Fight Team enough for changing my life, and also the prayers and motivation from my family, my church leaders, and friends, as well as everyone that prays for me. I am humbled and motivated by that.

“Nothing is different. There are only more people who recognize me, that is all.

“I remain who I am in my community, a simple woman who is like any other woman. I have never shown them that I have been competing in ONE, although they know well that I am.”

As Lumban Gaol returns to ONE’s cage, her only wish for this year – for now – is to shine brighter.

Ambitions of challenging Lee for mixed martial arts’ top prize can wait. She is focused on thrilling her fans by defeating Tomar and getting her hand raised for the sixth time in 12 months.

“I only wish that I will make more achievements in ONE Championship this year and build on the amazing year in 2018,” she adds.