Two Belts Later, Stella Hemetsberger Still Sees The Same Person In The Mirror
Some fighters change the moment undisputed gold wraps around their waist. Stella Hemetsberger has simply refused to let it reshape her.
The two-sport ONE World Champion defends her ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Title for the first time against Natalia Diachkova in the main event of ONE Fight Night 46, broadcasting live in US primetime from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium this Friday, August 14.
It has now been six months since Hemetsberger became only the third female athlete in promotional history to hold titles in two disciplines, and looking back still brings a smile to her face.
“Since I became a double champion, it’s just been amazing. I’m really happy I could get the win in the second fight as well against Jackie Buntan and just prove myself. I’m super happy with how it went,” she said.
Very little has actually shifted in how the 27-year-old approaches daily life at Phuket Fight Club, where she remains the same martial artist who first walked through the doors in 2022 as an amateur drawing inspiration from watching Allycia Hellen Rodrigues train up close.
“Honestly, I don’t think this victory changed the outlook of my career. I’m still the same person. I’m still working hard to reach my goals,” she said.
“But yeah, it’s just amazing to have completed and achieved such an accomplishment and walk out of the ring with two belts on your shoulders.”
Fame and the attention that now follows her everywhere still sit a little awkwardly with someone who built her entire career one careful step at a time.
“Honestly, I feel very weird talking about myself, like, as a star, because I feel like I’m still the same person. Like, for me, it hasn’t changed that much. But yeah, it’s cool to have achieved those goals in ONE Championship,” she said.
Asked what she would tell the 13-year-old version of herself just discovering the sport, Hemetsberger did not hesitate.
“She wouldn’t even believe what I’m telling her right now. But I would just tell her to keep going, stay motivated, and just follow your goals.”
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