‘I Have A Duty To Be A Good Man’ – How Being A Husband And Dad Transformed Tawanchai PK Saenchai
ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai boasts 134 victories in his storied career, but the sweetest happened when he became a husband and father.
As he returns to action against Chinese standout “Spirit Dragon” Liu Mengyang in a main event featherweight kickboxing showdown at ONE Friday Fights 137, which broadcasts live in Asia primetime from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium on December 19, he is ready to demonstrate that true championship spirit thrives on the global stage and beyond it.
This past October, the 26-year-old Thai megastar surprised the martial arts realm by posting a carousel on Instagram that revealed he had tied the knot with his longtime sweetheart, Sawita Yingchuan, on November 29 of last year, and welcomed his firstborn, Kirin, on May 20, 2025.
The announcement stunned fans and media alike, as the PK Saenchai Muaythaigym athlete had kept his personal life entirely under wraps. But for him, the timing felt right to share his greatest triumph with the world.
Long before Tawanchai claimed ONE gold and became one of the most feared strikers, he was simply a teenager connecting with someone who would change his life forever.
He told 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 blossomed, Tawanchai discovered qualities in her that made it clear she was perfect – someone who could stand beside him through the demanding life of a ONE World Champion.
Above all, he knew Sawita was the person he wanted to build a family with and share life’s greatest victories, absorb its toughest setbacks, and navigate everything in between.
Despite the excitement of starting a future together, Tawanchai experienced a whirlwind of emotions when his wife revealed she was pregnant. However, surprise gave way to joy as the reality set in. And everything changed when he held his son for the first time.
The featherweight Muay Thai king reflected:
“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 months, Tawanchai and Sawita kept the news private, savoring the intimate moments of early parenthood away from the spotlight.
But as Kirin grew stronger and the pride of becoming parents became too much to contain, Tawanchai and the love of his life decided it was time to let the world meet their little champion.
He added:
“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
Becoming a father transformed Tawanchai PK Saenchai in ways even years of training and competition never could. The ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion suddenly found himself nervous about the simple act of holding his newborn son.
But as the initial nerves faded and the bond between father and son deepened, he discovered a new sense of purpose. Every sacrifice, grueling training session, and moment spent away from home suddenly carried greater meaning.
The Thai megastar wasn’t just fighting for himself anymore – he was fighting to build a legacy his son could one day understand and be 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.”
What Tawanchai wants most is for Kirin to grow up watching him embody the values he hopes to pass on – resilience, dedication, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
That said, the PK Saenchai Muaythaigym man would happily allow his baby boy to choose his own path with confidence. His greatest hope is simply that his son picks up “the art of eight limbs” for his own good.
He shared:
“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 clearly hasn’t slowed Tawanchai down. It has only supercharged his ambitions as he steps back inside the ring to take on Liu Mengyang at ONE Friday Fights 137.
With his wife and son supporting him from behind, the dad-champ knows Superbon’s ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Championship is within reach as long as he gets his hand raised inside Lumpinee Stadium on December 19.
Victory would bring him a step closer to his two-sport dream and provide the perfect testament to his skill, versatility, and warrior spirit – and a legacy his son could one day look back on with pride.
Tawanchai added:
“My family is always supporting me from behind, so right now, my focus is entirely on winning that Kickboxing World Championship.”
