‘Very Happy And Proud’ – Nong-O Opens Up About His Young Son’s Muay Thai Journey
While legendary Thai striker Nong-O Hama is busy preparing for his flyweight Muay Thai rematch against #3-ranked contender Kongthoranee Sor Sommai in the main event of ONE Fight Night 31 on Prime Video, there’s another fighter in the family who’s capturing his attention.
Ahead of that crucial matchup in U.S. primetime on May 2, Nong-O spoke to onefc.com about his 11-year-old son’s budding Muay Thai career.
In Thailand, the birthplace of Muay Thai, it’s not uncommon for school-aged children to compete in fights against other children.
Nong-O’s oldest son, August, has followed in the footsteps of his father and has already compiled a 1-1 record since starting competition in 2023.
The former longtime ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion said that watching his son grow into the sport, training alongside some of the striking world’s biggest stars, brings him an incredible sense of joy:
“I feel very happy and proud to see him grow up with my own eyes. And since he likes Muay Thai, and I also teach him myself, that makes me feel even more proud of him.
“Now he trains at Superbon Training Camp and is surrounded by talented people. It makes him develop very quickly.”
Indeed, August will find nothing but world-class training at Superbon Training Camp, the home to ONE superstars like Johan Ghazali, Khunsuek, Nong-O himself, and of course, reigning ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon.
Nong-O has enjoyed watching his son grow and develop into a skilled striker, but he’s been most impressed by August’s mature approach to learning:
“[I am most impressed by] his discipline. He listens to everything I teach him and always tries to do what I and the seniors in the gym teach him.”
August’s fighting debut is still fresh in his father’s mind.
Nong-O admitted that he was nervous to see his son compete for the first time, unsure of how the then-10-year-old would react when strikes started flying.
However, once August was in the ring, Nong-O knew his son was ready:
“Because it was his first time fighting, I was worried and didn’t know if he could fight for real or not. Would he be able to withstand being hit? But when I was with him in the ring, I saw his eyes and I was like, ‘Oh, he’s really ready to fight.'”
A Fighting Legacy
Perhaps unsurprisingly, August’s style of striking carries an uncanny resemblance to his father’s approach in the ring.
When asked about his son’s most important fighting influences, Nong-O couldn’t help but smile:
“Honestly, when I see his fighting style, I feel like I’m watching myself fight. Other people also say the same thing, that this is clearly the kid version of Nong-O.”
A veteran of well over 300 professional fights, Nong-O naturally offers his son technical guidance. But his most important advice, he said, centers on maintaining a passion for Muay Thai and competition.
The proud father was quick to emphasize that his son’s happiness remains the top priority, never wanting to force the martial arts journey.
In the meantime, Nong-O’s pivotal rematch against Kongthoranee at ONE Fight Night 31 and his pursuit of another ONE World Title are now taking on additional meaning beyond personal glory.
He added:
“Of course, I want to become a champion again to inspire my son and to show everyone that a 38-year-old fighter can still win the belt if he trains well enough.”
