HAVING established a solid career in kickboxing, Filipino-Australian Michael Badato now trains his sights on the Burmese martial art of Lethwei, looking to be crowned as world champion when he competes at the World Lethwei Championship next month.

Dubbed “WLC: Legendary Champions” and happening on Nov. 4 at the Thuwanna National Indoor Stadium (1) in Myanmar, Mr. Badato is out to showcase his skills in Lethwei, which has been hailed by some as the purest form of striking martial arts in the world.

Mr. Badato, who was born in the Philippines but moved to Australia at a very young age, will face hometown bet Too Too, who is a decorated striker and holds an impressive record of 35 wins and 13 draws.

Before dipping his hands in Lethwei, which features punches, kicks, elbows, knees and headbutts, Mr. Badato won a number of kickboxing titles, including two WBC titles, as well as titles in IKBF, WKBF and regional championships.

“I am going to make history as the first Middleweight World Lethwei Champion. I have prepared my whole life for this moment and this would be the greatest moment of my career,” said Mr. Badato as he trains for his upcoming fight. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

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