VietNamNet Bridge – Nguyen Phu Hien became the first Vietnamese Muay Thai world champion on Saturday night.

Nguyen Phu Hien (right) – File photo

Hien, 26, was one of two Vietnamese fighters competing in the final round of the Thai Fight World Battle at HCM City's Phu Tho Gymnasium.

He defeated Australian fighter Arkheem Lucchiari in the 57kg category.

In his seven years experience in competition, Hien has fought 35 matches and won 25.

Nguyen Tran Tu Do, 22, who lost to Silman Zegnoun of France in the 64 kg category, has won 13 out of 20 matches.

He made quite an impression by winning the silver medal at the 2012 Asian championship and three gold medals in the national tournament.

The event also featured Saenchai, Saiyok, Antoine Pinto and Sean Kearney. There were plenty of knockouts on the night including Saenchai and Saiyok.

Among them was 23-year-old Antonie Pinto of France, who won 117 of the 152 matches that he has fought in the 67 kg category and was the World Muay Council I-1 Grand Prix Champion in 2012.

The Thai boxing tournament drew 16 Muay Thai fighters from Thailand, Uzbekistan, Scotland, Italy, France, Belgium, Canada, Viet Nam and other countries and was attended by former Thai Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun, Thai Royal General Consul in HCM City Panpimon Suwannapongse and other high-ranking Thai officials.

Thai Fight World Battle, an annual sports event and professional martial art show held since 2010, has taken place in Thailand, Chinese Macau and Viet Nam.

VNS/VNN