ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai, a decorated athlete with an astonishing 134 career victories, recently revealed that his most cherished triumphs extend far beyond the canvas of combat. The birth of his son and his marriage have brought him a profound sense of fulfillment, adding new dimensions to his already illustrious career. As he prepares to face Chinese sensation “Spirit Dragon” Liu Mengyang in a headline featherweight kickboxing bout at ONE Friday Fights 137, broadcast live from Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium on December 19, Tawanchai is poised to showcase that his championship spirit is not only alive and well on the global stage but has also been profoundly enriched by his personal life.
In a surprising revelation last October, the 26-year-old Thai superstar shared a series of images on Instagram, unveiling his marriage to longtime sweetheart Sawita Yingchuan on November 29 of the previous year. The announcement also included the joyous arrival of their first child, Kirin, on May 20, 2025. This personal news took many fans and media outlets by storm, as Tawanchai had, until then, maintained a remarkably private personal life. However, for the champion, the moment felt opportune to share his greatest personal achievements with the world.
Long before he ascended to ONE Championship gold and became one of the most feared strikers in the sport, Tawanchai was a teenager who connected with someone who would ultimately transform his life.
He shared the beginnings of their relationship with onefc.com:
“I met my wife on Instagram six to eight years ago, when I was 18 or 19. We were friends on Instagram and Facebook, and we eventually went out for meals like any young couple. We hit it off, liked each other, and dated for about three years.
“She is incredibly capable, patient, and hardworking, and she supports me constantly, whether I’m training or facing any problems.”
As their relationship deepened, Tawanchai recognised in Sawita qualities that made it clear she was the perfect partner to stand by him through the demanding and often solitary life of a ONE World Champion. Above all, he knew Sawita was the woman he envisioned building a family with, sharing life’s most significant victories, weathering its toughest setbacks, and navigating all the experiences in between.
The journey to fatherhood was a mix of emotions. While thrilled about embarking on a future together, Tawanchai experienced a whirlwind of surprise when his wife revealed her pregnancy. However, this initial surprise soon gave way to overwhelming joy as the reality of their growing family settled in. The transformation was complete the moment he held his son for the very first time.
The featherweight Muay Thai king reflected on this profound experience:
“When I first found out she was pregnant, I was surprised but also happy that it was happening so soon. As the bond grew, everything changed completely. Seeing my son for the first time filled me with overwhelming joy.”
For several months, Tawanchai and Sawita chose to keep their new family life private, cherishing the intimate and precious moments of early parenthood away from the public eye. But as Kirin grew stronger and the immense pride of becoming parents became too profound to contain, Tawanchai and the love of his life decided it was time to introduce their little champion to the world.
He elaborated on his decision to share:
“Now that the time is right, I want everyone to see how adorable my son is. I usually prefer to stay quiet and avoid the media or social platforms. But I want to share this joy and let everyone know about my son.”
Fatherhood Fuels Tawanchai’s Quest for Two-Sport Glory
The experience of becoming a father has profoundly reshaped Tawanchai PK Saenchai, introducing a level of transformation that even years of intense training and competition could not achieve. The ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion found himself experiencing a newfound nervousness, even in the simple act of holding his newborn son.
However, as the initial nerves subsided and the paternal bond with his son deepened, Tawanchai discovered an invigorated sense of purpose. Every sacrifice made, every grueling training session endured, and every moment spent away from home now carried a significantly greater weight and meaning. The Thai megastar was no longer fighting solely for himself; he was now fighting to forge a legacy that his son could one day comprehend and be immensely proud of.
“Being a father has changed my life. When I feel tired, I think of him. The motivation I had before has now doubled or tripled. I have a duty to be a good man, as a father loves his child.
“I hope that when my son grows up, no matter what difficulties or discouragement he faces, he remembers his father and knows he must fight forward, just like me.”
Tawanchai’s deepest aspiration is for Kirin to witness firsthand his embodiment of the values he hopes to impart – resilience, unwavering dedication, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. That said, the PK Saenchai Muaythaigym athlete is equally content for his son to forge his own path with confidence. His ultimate hope is simply that his son might embrace “the art of eight limbs” for his own personal development and well-being.
He shared his perspective on his son’s future:
“I don’t expect my son to become a Muay Thai fighter like me. I just want him to train in Muay Thai for self-defense. But if he feels like it, I will fully support him.”
Fatherhood has demonstrably not diminished Tawanchai’s drive or ambition. Instead, it has served as a powerful catalyst, supercharging his aspirations as he prepares to re-enter the ring against Liu Mengyang at ONE Friday Fights 137. With the unwavering support of his wife and son from afar, the newly-minted dad-champ is confident that the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Championship, currently held by Superbon, is within his grasp, provided he emerges victorious inside Lumpinee Stadium on December 19.
A win would propel him closer to his ambitious two-sport dream and serve as a powerful testament to his exceptional skill, remarkable versatility, and indomitable warrior spirit – a legacy that his son could one day look back upon with immense pride.
Tawanchai concluded with a statement of focus:
“My family is always supporting me from behind, so right now, my focus is entirely on winning that Kickboxing World Championship.”
