Why Indian-Hongkonger Rehaan Lulla persists in ever-struggling Muay Thai – ‘I couldn’t imagine a life without fighting’
- The 22-year-old, who overpowered his opponent in KF1 event in Tai Po on Thursday, trains through university studies and a pandemic
- ‘Nobody knows who the best athletes are unless you’re in the sport or are a diehard fan’ said Lulla of the local Muay Thai scene
Serial injury risks, lack of government support and virtually no financial incentive – the pursuit of a Muay Thai career in Hong Kong can appear perplexing.
Yet after months of training and sacrifice during a pandemic in notoriously cramped Hong Kong, Rehaan Lulla says he could not imagine a life without “the art of eight limbs”.
“Honestly, the whole process is just a lot of fun. Specifically training for particular opponents, and sometimes you don’t even know who you’re going to fight that night if it’s a tournament. There are a lot of intangibles involved and there’s always a different story from every fight – no two are the same. I couldn’t imagine a life without fighting,” said the Indian-born, Hong Kong-raised 22-year-old.
“Barbarian” Lulla overwhelmed former multiple Hong Kong champion Pun Ka-long at Fu Tak’s two-night KF1 event in ATV Studio in Tai Po on Thursday. He was the only non-ethnic Hong Kong fighter on the main card, with commentators rather bluntly praising “the Indian guy’s overwhelming power and swift defence”.
