ONE Heavyweight MMA World Champion Oumar Kane has revealed the extraordinary impact of his title victory, with his life story now being taught in Senegalese schools and earning recognition from government officials across the country.
The 33-year-old Senegalese fighter made history at ONE 169 in November when he defeated longtime champion Anatoly Malykhin via split decision, becoming Africa's first ONE World Champion.
The former traditional wrestler has become a household name, with his rags-to-riches story capturing imaginations from Dakar to Cape Town.
"I am a big man in Africa. In Africa, everybody knows me. Everybody supports me," Kane said. "It's the first time that a World Champion from ONE is coming from Africa, so everybody's happy. The President is happy, the people, everybody's happy. I'm very, very happy. I am the first to do this one. But I say thank you to God. Everything is from God."
Perhaps most remarkably, Kane has discovered that his journey from poverty to championship glory has entered academic curriculum in his home country.
"I'm actually a case study in secondary schools now. So when kids are in secondary school, there's a subject exam where the questions are about me," he said. "It's incredible. What an honour it is for a sportsman to achieve in life."
The champion, who grew up as one of six children in the small coastal town of Thiaroye, began his combat sports journey practicing traditional Senegalese wrestling style.
Kane's rise from competing in sandy village arenas to holding ONE Championship gold represents one of the most inspiring stories in modern combat sports.
"I strive to be the greatest sportsman I can be, but to be on school papers is something I could never dream of," Kane said.
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