The largest sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship, has just announced the addition of three of the top Chinese martial arts talents in the mainland. Recently added to ONE Championship’s growing roster of elite martial artists are Xiong Jingnan, Yang Fei, and Zhao Zhikang. The athletes are part of the promotion’s concerted effort to discover exciting new talent in China and provide them with the biggest global stage in professional competition.
ONE Championship has also announced a new athlete scholarship program where top martial artists in China are provided with variable allowance and are sent to train at top world-class facilities across Asia. Scholarships include training with some of the best coaches in the world, with travel, accommodations and monthly allowance covered.
Victor Cui, CEO International of ONE Championship, stated: “Asia has been the home of martial arts for the past 5,000 years. It is our greatest cultural treasure. Here at ONE Championship, it is our mission to deliver an authentic martial arts experience to fans all across the globe, and part of this involves signing only the best in talent. Xiong Jingnan, Yang Fei, and Zhao Zhikang are three of the finest martial arts warriors to emerge from China, and I can’t wait to see them compete in the ONE Championship cage.”
“The Panda” Xiong Jingnan of Shandong is an upcoming female flyweight contender in ONE Championship and is known as one of the top three leading female martial arts talents in China. With a professional record of 9-1, Xiong began her career competing in professional boxing and was inspired by her father, who imparted in her values of courage and integrity. Featuring a wide array of skills, Xiong recently bagged a gold medal at the prestigious China Open Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournament earlier this year. With a penchant for scoring highlight reel finishes and executing powerful slams, Xiong has chosen to join ONE Championship as the ultimate test of her skills. Training at Phuket Top Team, and representing Alliance China, Xiong aims to showcase her martial arts talent to a global audience.
25-year-old “The Pugilist” Yang Fei of Jiangsu, China, is a newcomer to ONE Championship, and one of the most promising young Chinese martial arts talents in the game. He sports a professional record of two victories and only one defeat, with both of his wins coming by finish. Growing up, Yang played football as a striker, and shortly after picked up martial arts when he entered university to become a police officer, graduating with a degree in law. He was introduced to Sanda during his time at university, and instantly fell in love with the sport. Making his promotional debut, Yang will seek victory against Waqar Umar at ONE: Immortal Pursuit in Singapore, in a three-round bout.
22-year-old Zhao Zhikang of Inner Mongolia is a top Chinese martial arts star with a professional record of 9-2 and is a former CKF champion. Although Zhao considers himself a striker first, the young competitor boasts six of his nine victories by submission, this in addition to his three knockouts. All of Zhao’s victories have come by spectacular finish. Representing Shanxi Xindu Martial Arts Club, Zhao will look to make a name for himself in Asia’s largest martial arts platform.
