Will Nabil Anan succeed at the 2028 Olympics after deciding to accept and try out for Thailand’s national boxing team? It won’t be easy, but it’s not impossible!
Nabil Anan, former ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world champion, has accepted to try out for Thailand’s national boxing team with hopes to compete at the 2028 Olympics in the United States. He is a Thai athlete to watch who could bring a medal to the country. While it won’t be easy, I believe it’s achievable. What challenges lie ahead for Nabil?
- Training in Olympic boxing as a national athlete while also competing professionally in Muay Thai under ONE Championship?
With only two years left before the 2028 Olympics, Nabil must earn his place through qualification; he does not have an automatic spot. Therefore, training is essential. At the same time, he is contracted as a professional athlete with ONE, so he must carefully balance his training commitments if he continues with both roles before the Olympics.
Alternatively, is it possible that ONE will allow Nabil to fully commit to the national boxing team? I think that might be difficult, but we await the official press conference on Friday to clarify this!
- Nabil’s advantage lies in his “height and reach” -
Nabil stands 192 centimeters (6 feet 4 inches) tall, giving him a significant height advantage. His notably long reach is among the best compared to other athletes in his division at ONE Championship.
This allows him to excel at striking from the outside. Even in his most recent fight, despite losing to Suea Kim Pongsuphan at P.K. ONE The Inner Circle 25,
he landed a left punch to Suea Kim’s right ribs, leading Suea Kim to comment, “I think it was this punch that broke something, it was perfectly timed or even beyond,
#covered face but punched low.”
This shows the power behind Nabil’s punches, an important weapon he can use effectively to finish opponents under Olympic boxing rules.
- Thai boxers switching to Olympic boxing for the national team have found much success -
Many Thai boxers have transitioned to Olympic boxing for the national team, with several achieving great success. Nabil also has that potential!
For example, consider these athletes:
Tawee Amornmaha, also known as Khaopong Sitichuchai, won a silver medal at the 1984 Olympics.
Somrak Khamsing won a gold medal at the 1996 Olympics (he competed in both Muay Thai and Olympic boxing from a young age).
Wijarn Polrit won a gold medal at the 2000 Olympics.
Somjit Jongjohor won a gold medal at the 2008 Olympics.
Watch for updates after the official press conference on Friday, 14 August. We will get clearer details on Nabil’s weight class and his training schedule as he prepares to qualify for the 2028 Olympics.