Kenny Hong - Professional Thai boxer
Kenny is a 24-year-old professional Thai boxer from Hillerstorp, who lives in Halmstad (a bigger city in the west coast of Sweden) and fights there for Halmstad Muay Thai club. He works as an electrician and in his spare time when he is not training, he likes to spend his time with family and friends. He describes himself as an open person with his feet on the ground and are very driven to reach his goals!
How long have you been practicing your sport and why did you start with it?
“I have been training Thai boxing for eight years now and have been a professional Thai boxer for three years. I started with the sport when my football team was disbanded, and after seven years in the spirit of football, I wanted to try something new and have always been interested in martial arts. My teacher in school back then trained/competed in Thai boxing so she told me to try it out, since that day I was stuck.”
What is your best trait in your sport?
“My best trait is that I always work hard, my explosiveness and that I am fast in my technique.”
How many hours do you spend on your sport?
“Before a championship or a professional match I workout 8-10 sessions a week, and a session is usually from 1-1.45 hours.”
How tough is it to combine an elite investment with work/studies?
“It can be very tough and tiring because I workout first thing in the morning and then I go straight to work. After work I go straight to the training center again. I also have a physical job that keeps me going all day.
But in the end, when you get your hand up in the air, all the hard work is so worth it!”
What is the aim for the upcoming season and tell us about the journey towards the World Cup?
“Right now I have the World Cup gold in sight! Then I have some championships planned, a World Games qualifier in February and then a European Championship that kicks off in mid-March next year.
The trip to the World Cup was a bit shaky. The selection took place through the Swedish championship where I lost the final, but the one who won turned down the national team, so I got the chance instead!”
How many sponsors/partners do you have today?
“Today I have five partners who sponsor me with their brand / products.”
How did you get in touch with Axelent?
“I have known Axelent for a long time because I grew up in Hillerstorp and my best friend's mother works at Axelent. I have heard a lot of good things about Axelent, so I did not hesitate to contact you guys!”
What is important for you when you search for a partner in sponsorship?
“The most important thing for me is that people believe in me and my achievements. That we have the same visual goals and to have a good contact and dialogue in the meantime.”
Do you set up a common goal together with the sponsor?
“We have a common goal and right now it is that I will stand at the top of the podium. It feels good that I’m not doing this all by myself, as I have a good team behind and supporting me.”
What is your long-term goal?
“My future goal is to win championships like these and to be a better fighter than I was yesterday!”
