- Title: Thai transgender boxer winning the fight for acceptance one round at a time
- Date: 24th July 2017
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) 23-YEAR-OLD MUAY THAI BOXER, KARUN KAEMLAM ALSO KNOWN AS PRIEWPAK SORJOR WICHIT-PADREW, SAYING: "Yes, she fights just like a man because, well, she really is a man."
- Embargoed: 7th August 2017 10:55
- Keywords: Transgender LGBT muay thai. acceptance boxing
- Location: BURIRAM, BANGKOK, THAILAND
- City: BURIRAM, BANGKOK, THAILAND
- Country: Thailand
- Topics: Boxing,Human Interest / Brights / Odd News,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA0056R7SRBT
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Muay Thai fighter and transgender woman Somros Polcharoen, 21, is slowly making a name for herself.
She's known as Nong Rose Baan Charoensuk in the ring and is fighting to win - not just bouts but also the respect of her male opponents, fans and society in general.
Rose started training when she was eight. A Muay Thai boxer uncle who was suspicious about her sexual orientation encouraged her to take up the sport. Precocious Rose put on make-up and a bra and entered the ring.
She now trains at a camp in Buriram province in northeastern Thailand. The owner, Puttipong Plukram, 56, calls her a "great role model" for the young boys who are training beside her. In between training they sing karaoke and play like any other young Thais and Rose chats to her many friends on social media.
But once the gloves are on: "I bring it full on, I don't make it easy for any opponents," she says.
Like most Muay Thai fighters, Rose started her career at regional matches where her appearance shocked her opponents some of whom even cancelled the bouts.
It took Rose more than 300 fights, roughly 150 wins and 30 knockouts, before she could earn a spot to fight in Bangkok.
On July 13, Rose won her second fight in a row at Rajadamnern Stadium after becoming the first transgender boxer to fight in the prestigious arena the month before.
"Being a transgender, it doesn't mean that we're weak," said Rose just after the match.
Her opponent 23-year-old Priowpak Sor Jor Wichit-padrew whose fight with Rose was his first in the 113 pounds (51 kg.) weight category said she fights "like a man". - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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