Celest Hansen is looking to continue her incredible ONE Championship run this Friday, Aug 18.
The Australian Muay Thai atomweight will try to build on her two memorable victories since joining the ONE roster when she faces China’s Yu Yau Pui at ONE Lumpinee 29 at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok.
Like many fighters, the 29-year-old comes from an unconventional background.
A unique backstory
Hansen grew up in a travelling community of carnival workers, who ran stalls and games at shows all over Australia. The youngster studied on the road alongside the other children in the community and learned to work with her parents in the family business.
However, at age 11 she went to boarding school due to the lack of any secondary school facilities among the community.
After completing high school, Hansen returned to the family business. But it wasn’t what she wanted to do long term, and her search for something greater led her to try a Muay Thai class at age 21.
She was instantly hooked. However, her travelling lifestyle again meant that she couldn’t commit to ongoing training. So, in order to pursue her newfound passion, she headed to Koh Samui to train full time and made her competitive debut just one month later.
Making history at Lumpinee
Hansen has gone on to compile a 52-fight career that has included some historic milestones.
The Fairtex representative was one-half of the first-ever female fight to take place at Lumpinee in the nearly 70-year history of the venue in 2021. By doing so, she opened the pathway for female fighters to compete at the stadium.
In 2022, Hansen then became the first female to capture a title at Lumpinee when she triumphed over a field of highly fancied fighters to take the Road to ONE: Thailand tournament – and the six-figure ONE Championship contract that came with it.
Lighting up the global stage
Hansen made an instant impression in her ONE debut with her ultra-aggressive style, which led to a stunning third-round TKO over Kalaked Por Muangpetch at ONE Lumpinee 6 in February.
The thrilling finish earned her a B350,000 performance bonus, courtesy of ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.
She then followed up with another barnburner against Britain’s Dani Fall at ONE Lumpinee 17 in May. Hansen emerged victorious via split decision after a wild back-and-forth brawl.
ONE Lumpinee 29
At ONE Lumpinee 29, Hansen will look to make it three wins out of three bouts when she faces Yu, who is riding a three-fight winning streak of her own.
Hansen will have the added motivation of exacting a degree of Australian revenge after the Hong Kong native defeated her compatriot, Devina Martin, by third-round TKO back in March.
Tickets for the event are available at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium. The first bout starts at 19.30. The event will also broadcast on Ch7HD starting at 20.30.