Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol Ready For ‘A Major Step Up’ In Her Career
It has been another busy year for Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol in ONE Championship, and she will enter 2020 with confidence and momentum.
The Indonesian star is currently riding a two-bout win streak in The Home Of Martial Arts, which she hopes will help to springboard her into a prosperous new year.
In addition to her recent string of success in mixed martial arts, “Thathie” ventured into kickboxing and earned a bronze medal at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
“I am happy to achieve a medal for Indonesia,” the 31-year-old Jakarta native says.
“During my bout preparations [in ONE], I have trained my kickboxing skills – and I have especially strengthened my kicks. In the SEA Games, I have learned a lot, since a lot of accomplished mixed martial artists were also competing there.”
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Those enhanced skills will come in handy, especially as the women’s atomweight division continues to grow with more high-caliber talents like two-sport ONE World Champion Stamp Fairtex, wrestling sensation Ritu Phogat, and unbeaten Filipina Denice Zamboanga.
Lumban Gaol knows she will have to continue facing the toughest contenders in The Home Of Martial Arts in order to achieve her dream, and she likes the idea of a tournament that could separate her from the chasing pack.
“To become the best, you will have to face lots of challenges. This new breed of talented athletes have challenged me and triggered my spirit,” she admits.
“These atomweight athletes are all qualified, so if you want to seek the best, I think it would be a great idea [to hold a World Grand Prix].”
The end goal for the Siam Training Camp representative is to win the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship, and she has raised her stock tremendously in the last two years by achieving seven victories in the Circle.
Lumban Gaol has never backed down from a challenge — and she never will — and, ultimately, she wants to earn the chance to take on the division’s longstanding queen, “Unstoppable” Angela Lee.
“My wish, and it is not mine alone, is to go face-to-face with Angela Lee,” she states.
“However, I definitely cannot force things to happen. I was always prepared when ONE offered me any bout, and this time, if I can choose, I would love to face Angela Lee.
“I also realized that I need to work harder because my Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques are still far below hers. She has learned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since she was a child, but if I am given the opportunity, I will go for the win.
“It is not only my personal wish, but I think all Indonesian people want a World Champion from their country.”
Before Lumban Gaol tackles her next challenge, however, she will take a well-deserved rest to enjoy the holiday season with her loved ones.
The Jakarta native will make the most of her Christmas break, and she will also plot her future.
“[My family] usually goes to church together and has a meal, while also discussing how the year went by and reflect on ourselves,” she explains.
“I believe there will be a major step up in my career next year, and I think 2020 is the perfect moment for me.”
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