ONE Championship Announces 2019 Events
Jakarta. Asia's largest global sports media property, ONE Championship, has announced its lineup of events for 2019, which will kick off in Jakarta on Jan. 19. On March 31, its first live event will take place in Tokyo, Japan.
ONE Championship chief executive Chatri Sityodtong announced the events at a presser in Tokyo, Japan, which was attended by ONE Women's Atomweight World Champion Angela Lee, ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano Fernandes, ONE Heavyweight World Champion Brandon Vera, legendary Renzo Gracie and former ONE Lightweight World Champion Shinya Aoki.
"I am thrilled to announce the first 24 of 30 events of our busy 2019 schedule at ONE Championship. In addition to the first 24 live events, there will be at least six ONE Warrior Series events that will continue to showcase the absolute best in martial arts, delivered by our martial arts superheroes," Sityodtong told the press.
Japan has become the highlight for the promotion, as ONE finalized its efforts to bring the martial arts experience into the heart of Asia.
"With Japan's rich martial arts culture and history, we want to unleash martial arts superheroes — world-class athletes who ignite passion and hope, and who help weave martial arts into the very fabric of human life," he added.
Taking forth the values of ONE, which are integrity, humility, honor, respect, courage, discipline and compassion, Sityodtong said he is looking forward to see some of the greatest talents in the world.
Lee also addressed the conference, saying that she is proud to become part of ONE Championship.
"Japan is a beautiful country with great people and great culture. As the ONE Women's Atomweight World Champion, I am proud to serve as a role model to all the aspiring martial artists in Japan and in Asia, especially the young girls who have dreams of becoming martial artists," she said.
A native of Japan and former ONE Lightweight World Champion Shinya Aoki said that Japanese martial arts is something that he holds dear to his heart.
"I live by the code of martial arts and it is an honor to share that with everyone in the world," he said.
In 2019, the promotion will return to its roots in Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Myanmar, China and Thailand. He also introduced two new markets: Vietnam and South Korea.
Meanwhile, 2018 continues with eight more blockbuster live events left to close the year.
The ONE: Conquest of Heroes in Jakarta is set for Sept. 22, featuring some of the most compelling martial arts contests of the year. Additionally, world championship boxing is to make its ONE Championship debut when WBC Super Flyweight World Champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai of Thailand will defend his title against Iran "MagnifiKO" Diaz of Mexico at ONE: Kingdom of Heroes in Bangkok on Oct. 6.
ONE Championship's 2019 calendar:
Jakarta, Indonesia on Jan. 19; Manila, the Philippines on Jan. 25; Bangkok, Thailand on Feb. 16; Singapore on Feb. 22; Yangon, Myanmar on March 8; Tokyo, Japan on March 31; Manila, the Philippines on April 5; Jakarta, Indonesia on May 4; Bangkok, Thailand on May 11; Singapore on May 17; Beijing, China on June 7; Macau, China on June 15; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on June 28; Guangzhou, China on July 20; Manila, Philippines on Aug. 2; Bangkok, Thailand on Aug. 17; Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam on Sept. 6; Tokyo, Japan on Oct. 11; Jakarta, Indonesia on Oct. 26; Shanghai, China on Nov. 9; Singapore on Nov. 22; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Dec. 6; Manila, Philippines on Dec. 13; and Seoul, South Korea on Dec 20.
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