Controversy Arises Over Gender Id in Upcoming Battle. Japanese kickboxer Panchan Rina ignited controversy days earlier than her scheduled match in opposition to Thai microweight champion “Amp The Rocket” Suwanan Boonsorn by questioning her opponent’s gender identification.
Gender Confusion in Japanese MMA
Panchan, who boasts an expert file of 19 wins, one loss and one draw throughout kickboxing, posted a message on social media stating that she didn’t care whether or not Boonsorn’s “coronary heart is male or feminine,” however requested that Boonsorn shave her beard for combat night time.
The publish provoked swift criticism from followers and fellow fighters. Commenters famous that Boonsorn, born June 14, 1996 in Bangkok, is registered as feminine with the United Arab Emirates Jiu-Jitsu Federation, which requires athletes to current passports at weigh-in. Thailand doesn’t allow authorized adjustments to gender markers on passports or civil registers, indicating that Boonsorn has been feminine since delivery. Suwanan Boonsorn was born feminine and competes in opposition to females in MMA and jiu-jitsu.
A number of critics characterised Panchan’s feedback as greater than typical pre-fight trash-talk. One observer wrote, “When you’re a fighter, present respect to your opponent. The opponent is a girl, ? Delete it.” One other argued that posts implying Boonsorn is biologically male threat deceptive followers and unfairly undermining her status.
Boonsorn, a former Full Steel Dojo microweight champion, has compiled a 5-6 combined martial arts file since debuting in 2014 and holds the inaugural Jewels microweight title. She has twice competed in Rizin match bouts and earned a number of submissions in Deep Jewels occasions. Her grappling credentials embrace blue-belt standing in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and participation within the Abu Dhabi World Skilled Jiu-Jitsu Championship in 2018 and 2019.
Japanese and worldwide followers condemned Panchan’s remarks as insensitive. “Even if you wish to hype up the combat, it is best to know what is appropriate,” one remark learn. One other famous that focusing on private traits unrelated to efficiency – comparable to a beard, which some contemplate a matter of particular person expression – crosses the road from promotion into defamation.
Panchan Rina
In late 2022, she was arrested and briefly detained in Hyōgo Prefecture on suspicion of defrauding a fan by promoting a poster purportedly signed by superstars Tenshin Nasukawa and Takeru for ¥99,900, although the signatures had been cast. Panchan instantly admitted the act, attributing her actions to monetary losses of some ¥15 million incurred by an alleged funding rip-off, and issued a public apology earlier than resuming her combating profession in mid-2023.
Panchan, 31, started her fight sports activities profession in Tokyo’s beginner Muay Thai circuit in 2017 earlier than turning skilled in 2019. She captured her first skilled belt in August 2020 and later secured the Knockout Feminine Atomweight crown.
