Historic Win Makes Smilla Sundell the Youngest-Ever ONE World Champion

At only 17 years old, Smilla Sundell has already taken over the world. 

The young athlete made ONE Championship history last Friday, 22 April, at ONE 156: Eersel vs. Sadikovic by becoming the youngest World Champion the organization has ever crowned. 

Sundell, also known as “The Hurricane,” battled Filipina-American superstar Jackie Buntan for the inaugural ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Championship in the co-main event, and after five dominant rounds, the Swedish phenom walked away victorious. 

ALSO READ | ONE 156 Results: Eersel Retains Gold, Sundell Becomes Youngest Champ

Prior to their matchup, Sundell was confident that she could take it to Buntan, who was 3-0 in the Circle heading into their World Title tussle – and she made it clear that her refusal to accept defeat would power her to victory on that night.

“The Hurricane” utilized her reach and height advantage to cancel out Buntan’s tricky footwork, and she gradually wore the Boxing Works standout down with knees and elbows.  

She maintained her high output throughout the bout and connected with combinations that caused damage to Buntan’s face, making it difficult for her to retaliate. 

In the end, Sundell was awarded a unanimous decision victory by the judges, earning her the ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Title and her place in the record books as ONE’s youngest-ever World Champion. 

In addition, her performance impressed ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong so much that he awarded her a US$50,000 bonus, adding to the teen sensation’s success while bringing tears to her eyes as she thanked him and the organization. 

Stay tuned for ONE’s next event, ONE 157: Petchmorakot vs. Vienot, which goes down on 20 May at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. 

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