Aung La Nsang Hopes to Bring Global Attention to Myanmar Ahead of Homecoming Fight
March 16, 2016
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JamesGoyder
Most people couldn’t place Myanmar on a map. The Southeast Asian nation has a population of more than 50 million people making it the 26th most populated country in the world, but until recently it has been relatively isolated.
That’s because Myanmar was ruled by a military junta for 50 years, earning the country something akin to pariah status in the international community. It was during this period that Burmese mixed martial artist
Aung La Nsang left his homeland to live in the United Status, but the political situation has improved dramatically since then.
ONE: Union of Warriors is set for the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon this Friday. During the days of the military regime, it would have been unthinkable for such a prestigious international sporting event to take place in Myanmar, but the country has gone from strength to strength since a democratic election in 2015.
La Nsang recently returned to Yangon for the first time in nearly 12 years for a
ONE Championship press tour. As he prepares to face Egyptian Mohamel Ali, the middleweight says he is excited to be a part of Myanmar’s success story.
“I was born in Myitkyina in the northern state, but I grew up in Yangon two blocks away from where I’m going to be fighting. Myanmar is moving towards the right direction, it’s come a long way. We wouldn’t have this opportunity 20 years ago, 10 years ago, or even 5 years ago to do this.”
Ask the average person to name someone from Myanmar and they are probably going to struggle. But La Nsang believes this is simply because his homeland has been closed off to the international community for so long.
“It’s a large country. Most people don’t know where Burma is because it’s been sanctioned by the U.S. and European countries (but) there are a lot of great people who live there. It’s going to start showing as the country opens up, a lot of younger people will get more opportunities now.”
While La Nsang is looking at the bigger picture, there is the small matter of a fight this Friday for him to focus on. As a veteran of 17 fights, Ali will be looking to spoil the homecoming of the returning hero.
La Nsang’s record is slightly superior to Ali’s and he’s faced some fairly well known fighters like
Uriah Hall and
Costas Philippou. The Burmese middleweight is understandably confident, but won’t be overlooking the threat posed by his forthcoming opponent.
“I’m ahead of him in all aspects. I’ve fought against better competition. As far as striking, I feel that I’m better and same with grappling. I have to watch out for his overhand and big hooks. In the clinch, you have to be worried about his short uppercuts.”
There is no question who the fans at the Thuwanna Stadium will be behind and La Nsang is guaranteed to get a raucous reception from the Yangon crowd. He’s going to have plenty of friends and family in attendance and believes this support will inspire him to put in a memorable performance.
“My uncle has already requested 100 tickets. People are going to fly down and drive down to watch me. Walking in there for the first time is going to be an amazing feeling. I can imagine the loud cheering. It’s going to be the best feeling. I’m going to use that to my advantage.”
There is an old adage about sport and politics not mixing, but every now and again a conflux of the two can produce some special moments. La Nsang hopes that his grand homecoming this Friday night will be one of those occasions.
“It means a lot to me to be back in Burma and fighting in from of my people. It’s my opportunity to show the world what I’ve accomplished so far. It’s going to be beautiful.”
Go Go... Aung La... !!!!