Chiang Rai's 'beautiful boxer'
She wants to be known for more than just being a 'beautiful' fighter in the ring.
She wants to be known for more than just being a 'beautiful' fighter in the ring.
BOXING
Chiang Rai's 'beautiful boxer'
Rungjira 'Noon' Ketraksa is a 23-year-old Chiang Rai native, born and raised in Chiang Rai at the far north of Thailand.
She is known in the local northern Thai media as 'The Beautiful Boxer'.
Noon has become a boxer to pay for her studies at school and feed her family.
Her boxing ambitions are real though.
She wants to be known for more than just being a 'beautiful' fighter in the boxing ring.
ALIVE AND KICKING: Rungjira 'Noon' Ketraksa is a 23-year-old Chiang Rai native, known in local media as 'The Beautiful Boxer'. Photos: Chumporn Sangvilert
HER STORY
Noon graduated from college after studying hotel management and tourism and despite getting a scholarship to continue her studies in China, instead decided to join her friend at a boxing camp.
Noon, who was also abandoned by her father, said she had always been interested in fitness and sports.
When she arrived at boxing camp, she was assigned to work with one of his best female boxers, Nong Praew.
She quickly became the talk of boxing circles after she went to see her friend fight in Chiang Mai and was approached by promoters while sitting ringside.
"The owner of the boxing stadium in Ta Pae asked me to put on a boxing uniform and pose as a boxer," she told Spectrum.
"Then he took my picture and uploaded it on the boxing stadium's Facebook page.
"Next thing I knew, there were many people who contacted me. I was very surprised to learn that many people wanted me to fight on their stage."
"I guess they want to add a bit of colour to the regular fight."
"After all, I have never fought before in my life."
The media attention has earned her invitations to appear at well- promoted boxing events.
HER FIRST BOXING MATCH: AT SIAM DISCOVERY CENTER IN BANGKOK
Her first fight was scheduled for last Friday at Siam Discovery Centre in Bangkok to celebrate Mother's Day for which she will receive 10,000 baht and free accommodation and air fares.
"It's going to be my first fight and I'm excited about it," she told the Bangkok Post before the fight.
"Although I have zero experience, I'm confident that I can win as I have trained so hard everyday over the past two months."
Next Thursday she is scheduled to fight a Chinese boxer at a big-ticket event in Chiang Mai billed by the promoter as "Dangerous Beauties".
VIDEO
When I first started training my knees were bruised.
My shins were also bruised.
I'm not training as hard as professional boxers but it is still intensive.
I earn a living from boxing.
I can take care of my parents and pay for my education.
Video by Chumporn Sangvilert | Story by Chaiyot Yongcharoenchai
http://www.bangkokpost.com/vdo/thailand/1062204/the-beautiful-boxer
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