Stamp Fairtex Helping To Tear Down Women’s Stereotypes In Martial Arts

Reigning ONE Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion Stamp Fairtex of Thailand will be gunning for history at ONE: CALL TO GREATNESS on Friday, 22 February at the Singapore Indoor Stadium when she battles American Muay Thai standout Janet “JT” Todd for the inaugural ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Title.

A win for Stamp will make her the first two-sport World Champion in ONE history and cement her status as one of the greatest strikers in the world.

However, as the 21-year old star looks to make history, she also continues to help combat the stereotype of women in the world of martial arts.

Even now, in 2019, there are those who believe women should not be competing in martial arts, and this was the kind of oppression that Stamp has encountered in her career.

“I was the only girl in my village’s boxing gym,” she shared. “People thought the boxing ring was sacred, and only men should enter it because women should be in school, studying.”

Over 80 professional bouts and a World Championship later, Stamp has proven that she does indeed belong inside the confines of a ring, where she has done her best work.

Stamp, however, is just one of a multitude of female martial artists who have carved out their place in the history books.

Reigning ONE Women’s Strawweight World Champion “The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan is the first mixed martial arts World Champion to come out of China, while reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion “Unstoppable” Angela Lee is one of the biggest names in women’s mixed martial arts all over the globe.

“As more women began to compete, people’s perceptions started to change,” Stamp said.

After already capturing gold in kickboxing, Stamp now shifts her focus on capturing gold in Muay Thai, the very same sport that people thought she had no business in competing in.

“They now see that women can also compete in Muay Thai,” she added.

But more than just making a name for herself, Stamp also cherishes her role as an inspiration to other women and children who are also reaching for their own dreams and aspirations, especially in martial arts.

“I think I’ve set a good example for women in the sport. I showed them that they must work hard, train hard, and be patient,” she explained.

“I’m happy that I can be a role model to kids and other women.”