‘I’m Still The Same Person’ – Stella Hemetsberger Reflects On Life As A Two-Sport World Champion
Austrian fighter Stella Hemetsberger will defend her ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Title against Natalia Diachkova at ONE Fight Night 46 on August 14 in Bangkok.
Stella Hemetsberger, holder of both the ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Titles, will defend her Muay Thai title for the first time against Natalia Diachkova at ONE Fight Night 46 on August 14. The event will be broadcast live from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok on Prime Video during U.S. primetime. Hemetsberger captured the Muay Thai title in May by defeating Jackie Buntan, then added the kickboxing title in June with another victory over the same opponent.
Despite achieving the rare feat of becoming a two-sport world champion, Hemetsberger has maintained her pre-title humility and daily training routine at Phuket Fight Club. She described the accomplishment as amazing but emphasized that her goals and work ethic remain unchanged. The 27-year-old fighter continues to train alongside her original inspiration, ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Allycia Hellen Rodrigues.
Hemetsberger’s grounded perspective has not diminished her ambition; instead, the achievement has sharpened her focus for future challenges. She views the double championship as motivation to improve with each fight, aiming to reach her highest potential. The fighter’s mindset reflects a long-term commitment to growth rather than resting on past successes.
The Austrian athlete acknowledged the shift in public perception since becoming a two-sport champion but stressed that her self-perception remains the same. Reflecting on her journey from a 13-year-old discovering Muay Thai by chance to her current status, Hemetsberger advised her younger self to stay motivated and persistent in pursuing goals.