Vero Nika () is a Burmese

Lethwei Lethwei (; International Phonetic Alphabet, IPA: ) or Burmese boxing is a Full contact fighting, full contact combat sport originating from Myanmar and is considered as one of the most brutal martial arts in the world.} * * * * * * Lethwe ...

and

Muay Thai Muay Thai or Muaythai (, , ), sometimes referred to as Thai boxing, the Art of Eight Limbs or the Science of Eight Limbs, is a Thai martial art and full-contact combat sport that uses stand-up striking, sweeps, and various clinch fighting, cl ...

fighter. She is one of the most successful female Lethwei fighters in the sport. In 2022, amid unrest in Myanmar because of the

2021 Myanmar coup d'état A coup d'état in Myanmar began on the morning of 1 February 2021, when Elections in Myanmar, democratically elected members of the country's ruling party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), were deposed by the Tatmadaw, Myanmar's milita ...

, she started competing in

in neighboring Thailand where she reached the no.1 spot in the female world Muay Thai rankings at 53 kg according to World Muay Thai Organization and became Thai Fight Kard Chuek Champion. In 2025, she signed with

ONE Championship ONE Championship, formerly ONE Fighting Championship (ONE FC) until January 2015, is a Multinational corporation, multinational combat sports Promoter (entertainment), promotion founded on 14 July 2011 by Chatri Sityodtong and Victor Cui. Origi ...

Early life

Vero Nika was born in East Kahpu, a small village north of

Mobye Mobye (; also spelt Mobre or Moe Bye) is a village tract within Pekon Township, Shan State, Myanmar. It is located on the southern end of the Mobye Reservoir located south of Inle Lake and contains the lowest point within Pekon Township at . Th ...

. She is a Christian and although she was born in the

Shan State Shan State (, ; , ) is a administrative divisions of Myanmar, state of Myanmar. Shan State borders China (Yunnan) to the north, Laos (Louang Namtha Province, Louang Namtha and Bokeo Provinces) to the east, and Thailand (Chiang Rai Province, Chia ...

, she is an ethnic Kayan, and was named after

Saint Veronica Saint Veronica, also known as ''Berenike'', was a widow from Jerusalem who lived in the 1st century AD, according to extra-biblical Christian traditions. Apocryphal texts relate how Veronica was moved with sympathy seeing Jesus carrying the cr ...

. After her fights she can sometimes be seen carrying the flag of the Karenni and/or Kayan people. When she was young she had to help her mother sell the alcohol she made herself. Her father was sick so she would get up early before school and deliver around town while missing some time at school. Vero Nika is the fifth child out of six, and they relied on the Roman Catholic monastery in Pekon for their education.

Fighting career

Boxing

At the age of 16, when she was in 9th grade, she was determined to become a fighter. Her parents did not approve of her new hobby but she was committed to succeed. With some borrowed money she left for

Naypyidaw Naypyidaw (), officially Romanization of Burmese, romanized as Nay Pyi Taw (NPT), is the capital city, capital and third-largest city of Myanmar. The city is located at the centre of the Naypyidaw Union Territory. It is unusual among Myanmar's ...

to start her training. Since she mainly spoke in the

Padaung language Kayan, also known as, Padaung or Padaung Karen) is a Karen language of Burma, spoken by the Kayan people. The Kayan dialects share more than 90% lexical similarity. Padaung is 71% to 76% lexically similar to Lahta. Distribution * Pekhon, sou ...

she had trouble understanding those who spoke Burmese. While in training that gradually improved. She continued to attend school but was forced to choose between education or sports a year later. Her boxing career lasted from 2013 to 2017 in which she participated in the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore, and partook in several national championships claiming at least two gold medals in the process.

Lethwei

In 2017, Vero Nika started her Lethwei career because there weren't enough fights in boxing. After being scouted by

International Lethwei Federation Japan International Lethwei Federation Japan, also known as ILFJ, is a Japanese Lethwei promotion company with headquarters in Tokyo. History In 2016, the ILFJ acquired a ‘’Grade-A’’ promoter licence from the Myanmar Traditional Lethwei Fede ...

(ILFJ) promoter Yoshiyuki Nakamura in May, she participated in their Frontier event. She faced pro-wrestler

Nanae Takahashi (born December 23, 1978) is a retired Japanese professional wrestler and the founder of Seadlinnng, as well as a co-founder of World Wonder Ring Stardom. She was signed to Dream Star Fighting Marigold, where she held her final match at Marigo ...

in a three round contest for the ILFJ Frontier Championship belt. On 15 November 2017, Vero Nika faced

Julija Stoliarenko Julija Stoliarenko (born 8 April 1993) is a Lithuanian mixed martial artist, submission grappler, Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) black belt athlete and former Lethwei fighter. A two-time European Open champion and two-time IBJJF World medallist i ...

in Lethwei Grand Prix Japan 2017 in Tokyo. Stoliarenko's low-kicks caused a fracture in Vero Nika's tibia and she had to retire from the fight. Stoliarenko won the Japan Lethwei World Title by TKO. In October 2018, a mix-fight card was held in Thailand with both Lethwei and Muay Thai bouts featured. The Lethwei portion of the show was also narrated in Burmese by the ringside announcer. Vero Nika faced Hongthong Liangprasert in the first of three encounters in her career. Due to a cut in round two, the fight was stopped and Vero Nika won by TKO. At the Air KBZ sponsored championship in 2018, Vero Nika once more fought Hongthong Liangprasert, this time for a chance to win the accompanying belt especially created for that match. The fight ended up a draw however, so the belt was up for grabs again in January where she fought Wanida Yucharoen. This time around she won the fight and is officially crowned the Myanmar champion. In August 2019 she faced multiple-time Muay Thai champion Sawsing Sor Sopit at the 4th Myanmar Lethwei World Championship event. This was a clear step up in competition and the fight was much anticipated. Despite her many elbows and kicks it ended in a draw after 4 rounds. By 2020, Vero Nika was one of the most frequently seen fighters and had been booked in 8 fights in 2019 of which 6 materialized. Vero Nika has previously expressed that it is difficult to get fights because there are very few native female Lethwei fighters.

Muay Thai

While fighting she has been able to support her family to a certain extent, but the low income had kept her from committing to her career. At the start of the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...

when fights were scarce, aside from helping her family in the farming business, Vero Nika temporarily took on the role of trainer at Phoenix Myanmar Lethwei Gym in Yangon. Vero Nika's venture into Thailand started when a client who visited the gym suggested that it would be easier to get fights abroad and helped her get into contact with Tiger Muay Thai. After two encounters with Dangkongfah at Muay Hardcore, she was invited to

Thai Fight Thai Fight (; stylized as THAI FIGHT in capitals) is a Muay Thai promotion based in Bangkok, Thailand, which hosts events worldwide and all across Thailand. Thai Fight events are produced in conjunction with the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The ...

. By the time she had her third fight, they had signed her to a 3-year contract. While fighting in Thailand she did not expect to have any support because of the situation back home and so many people having a hard time to survive. She felt she had fled and was having a good time while her countrymen weren't. She revealed that her victories were the good news they needed back home and support from fans and media has been constant ever since. On 17 April 2022, Vero Nika defeated her opponent Thailand's Yimsiam in just 30 seconds of the first round. She was then promoted to the no.1 spot in the female world rankings at 118lbs/53KG according to World Muay Thai Organization.

ONE Championship

On January 28, 2024, it was announced that Vero signed with

Personal life

Vero Nika loves to sing and is also known by her nickname "Fighting Idol". In 2018, she appeared on the third season of

Myanmar Idol ''Myanmar Idol'' is a popular Myanmar singing contest television series that is broadcast on MNTV. Its first season, in 2015, was described by ''The Myanmar Times'' as a "wild success". Due to its popularity, it has been extended for a fifth seas ...

. She survived until the Green Mile, where she was eliminated. Sometimes she has a hard time when thinking of her family back home and the struggles they face. She confides in singing and listening to her favorite songs from home.

Titles and accomplishments

Championships and Awards * Lethwei ** Air KBZ Grand Final Myanmar Championship (60kg) ** 2019 Female Fighter of the Year * Muaythai ** Thai Fight Kard Chuek 2023 tournament Champion (54kg) ** Thai Fight Kard Chuek 2022 tournament Champion (53kg) ** World Muaythai Organization (WMO) No. 1 Ranked Women Bantamweight (53kg) ** World Boxing Council (WBC) Muay Thai No. 1 Contender Women Bantamweight (53kg) ** 2022 WMO Female Fighter of the Year * Boxing ** 2016 Myanmar National Boxing Championship (60kg) ** 2015 4th Myanmar National Sports Festival (60kg) **

2015 Southeast Asian Games The 2015 Southeast Asian Games, officially known as the 28th Southeast Asian Games, or the 28th SEA Games, and commonly known as Singapore 2015, were a Southeast Asian multi-sport event held by the city-state of Singapore from 5 to 16 June 201 ...

(57kg) –

Tampines Tampines ( or ) is the Regional centre (Singapore), regional centre of the East Region, Singapore, East Region of Singapore. With a population of 284,560 living across its five subzones as of 2024, it is the most populous Planning Areas of Sin ...

, Singapore * Personal ** Certificate of Honor - Kayan Literature and Culture Central Committee (2023) **

National Unity Government of Myanmar The National Unity Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (; abbreviated NUG) is a provisional government for Myanmar formed by the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), a group of elected lawmakers and Member of parliam ...

Letter of Congratulations - Ministry of Women, Youth and Children (2022)

Lethwei record

, - style="background:#cfc;" , 2020-01-15 , , Win , , align="left" , Petchsaifah Sor.Sommai , , (68th) Kayah State Day , ,

Loikaw Loikaw (, ) is the largest city and the capital of Kayah State, also known as Karenni State, in Myanmar. It is located in the Karen Hills area, near the State's northern tip, just above an embayment on the Pilu River. The inhabitants are mostly K ...

Myanmar Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; and also referred to as Burma (the official English name until 1989), is a country in northwest Southeast Asia. It is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia and has ...

, , KO , , 1 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 2020-01-04 , , Win , , align="left" , Plaifah Mhooping Aroijungbei , , Mandalay Rumbling Challenge Fight , ,

Taungoo Taungoo (, ''Tauñngu myoú''; ), also spelled Toungoo and formerly Toung-ngú, is a district-level city in the Bago Region of Myanmar, 220 km from Yangon, towards the north-eastern end of the division, with mountain ranges to the east a ...

, , KO , , 2 , , , - style="background:#c5d2ea;" , 2019-11-03 , , Draw , , align="left" , Miriam Sabot , , (6th) Air KBZ Aung Lan Championship , ,

Yangon Yangon, formerly romanized as Rangoon, is the capital of the Yangon Region and the largest city of Myanmar. Yangon was the List of capitals of Myanmar, capital of Myanmar until 2005 and served as such until 2006, when the State Peace and Dev ...

, , Draw , , 4 , , 3:00 , - style="background:#c5d2ea;" , 2019-08-18 , , Draw , , align="left" , Sawsing Sor Sopit , , Myanmar Lethwei World Championship 4 , ,

, , Draw , , 4 , , 3:00 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 2019-04-20 , , Win , , align="left" , Prakayrat Wongsuta , , Zin Kyaik Buddha Pujaniya Festival , , Zin Kyaik,

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, , Draw , , 4 , , 3:00 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 2019-01-09 , , Win , , align="left" , Phettae Kulabdamgym , , (27th) Karen New Year Celebration , ,

Hpa-an Hpa-an (, ; ; , also spelled Pa-an) is the capital and largest city of Kayin State (Karen State), Myanmar (Burma). The population of Hpa-an as of the 2014 census was 421,575. Most of the people in Hpa-an are of the Karen ethnic group. Legend Le ...

, , KO , , 2 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 2019-01-04 , , Win , , align="left" , Wanida Yucharoen , , Independence Day Challenge Fights , ,

, , TKO , , 1 , , , - ! style=background:white colspan=9 , , - style="background:#c5d2ea;" , 2018-12-16 , , Draw , , align="left" , Hongthong Liangprasert , , Air KBZ Grand Final Myanmar Championship , ,

, , Draw , , 4 , , 3:00 , - ! style=background:white colspan=9 , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 2018-10-28 , , Win , , align="left" , Hongthong Liangprasert , , Diamond Super Fight , ,

Samut Sakhon province Samut Sakhon (, ) is one of the central provinces (''changwat'') of Thailand, located along the coast of the Gulf of Thailand. In 2024, it had a population of 590,867, and an area of 866 km², making it the 43rd most populated province whilst b ...

Thailand Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand and historically known as Siam (the official name until 1939), is a country in Southeast Asia on the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula. With a population of almost 66 million, it spa ...

, , TKO , , 2 , , , - style="background:#c5d2ea;" , 2018-09-13 , , Draw , , align="left" , Marina Kumagai , , Lethwei in Japan 9: Kodo , ,

Tokyo, Japan Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...

, , Draw , , 5 , , 3:00 , - style="background:#c5d2ea;" , 2018-08-19 , , Draw , , align="left" , Elena Mishchuk , , Myanmar Lethwei World Championship 3 , ,

, , Draw , , 4 , , 3:00 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 2018-03-25 , , Win , , align="left" , Jompaneng Sitpusoy Kom Ning , , Lethwei in Thailand , ,

, , KO , , 2 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 2018-03-01 , , Win , , align="left" , Prakayrat Wongsuta , , Kyaik Kelasa Stadium , , Lamaing, Ye,

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, , KO , , 3 , , , - style="background:#fbb;" , 2017-11-15 , , Loss , , align="left" ,

, , Lethwei Grand Prix Japan 2017 , ,

, , TKO , , 2 , , 0:45 , - ! style=background:white colspan=9 , , - style="background:#c5d2ea;" , 2017-08-20 , , Draw , , align="left" , Mónica Brenes , , Myanmar Lethwei World Championship 2 , ,

, , Draw , , 4 , , 3:00 , - style="background:#c5d2ea;" , 2017-06-16 , , Draw , , align="left" ,

, , Lethwei in Japan 4: Frontier, ,

, , Draw , , 3 , , 3:00 , - ! style=background:white colspan=9 , , - , colspan=9 , ''Legend'':

Muay Thai record

, - style="background:#cfc;" , 2025-05-09 , , Win , , align="left" , Junior Fairtex , , ONE Friday Fights 107 , ,

Bangkok Bangkok, officially known in Thai language, Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and colloquially as Krung Thep, is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. The city occupies in the Chao Phraya River delta in central Thailand and has an estim ...

, , TKO (punches) , , 2 , , 1:09 , - style="background:#fbb;" , 2025-02-14 , , Loss , , align="left" , Francisca Vera , , ONE Friday Fights 97 , ,

, , Decision (Split), , 3 , , 3:00 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 2024-08-04 , , Win , , align="left" , Florencia Greco , , Thai Fight: Mueang Khon , ,

Nakhon Si Thammarat Nakhon Si Thammarat (, ; from ) is a city municipality (''thesaban nakhon'') located in Mueang Nakhon Si Thammarat, the capital of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. Nakhon Si Thammarat Province is situated in the South of Thailand. It is about s ...

, , Decision , , 3 , , 2:00 , - style="background:#fbb;" , 2024-02-25 , , Loss , , align="left" , Fahsai Or.Yutthachai , , Thai Fight: Phimai , ,

Nakhon Ratchasima Nakhon Ratchasima (, ) is the capital of Nakhon Ratchasima province, the largest city in Isan, Northeastern Thailand and the List of municipalities in Thailand#Largest cities by urban population, third-largest city in Thailand. It is 250 km (1 ...

, , Decision , , 3 , , 2:00 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 2024-02-04 , , Win , , align="left" , Nongbew Tor.Thepsutin , , Thai Fight: Rajabhakti Park , ,

Hua Hin district Hua Hin (, ) is one of eight districts (''amphoe'') of Prachuap Khiri Khan province in the northern part of the Malay Peninsula in Thailand. Its seat of government, also named Hua Hin, is a beach resort town. The district's population was estim ...

, , TKO , , 1 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 2023-12-24 , , Win , , align="left" , Phayasingha Sor.Sommit , , Thai Fight: Luang Pu Thuat , ,

Ayutthaya Ayutthaya, Ayudhya, or Ayuthia may refer to: * Ayutthaya Kingdom, a Thai kingdom that existed from 1350 to 1767 ** Ayutthaya Historical Park, the ruins of the old capital city of the Ayutthaya Kingdom * Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province (locall ...

, , TKO , , 1 , , , - ! style=background:white colspan=9 , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 2023-11-26 , , Win , , align="left" , Zahra Shokouhi , , Thai Fight: Bang Kachao , , Phra Pradaeng district,

, , Decision , , 3 , , 2:00 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 2023-10-29 , , Win , , align="left" , Phayasingha Sor.Sommit , , Thai Fight: Sethi Ruea Thong , , Ban Mi district,

, , Decision , , 3 , , 2:00 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 2023-06-18 , , Win , , align="left" , Triệu Thị Phương Thủy , , Thai Fight: Luk Luang Phor Sothorn , ,

Chachoengsao Chachoengsao (, ) is a town ('' thesaban mueang'') in central Thailand, capital of Chachoengsao Province. It is on the banks of the Bang Pakong River. It includes ''tambon'' Na Mueang and parts of Ban Mai, Bang Tin Pet, Wang Takhian, and Sothon ...

, , TKO , , 3 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 2023-05-21 , , Win , , align="left" , Aomsin Srithong Gym , , Thai Fight: 100 Years Rajabhat Korat , ,

, , KO , , 1 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 2023-04-22 , , Win , , align="left" , Ester Viola , , Thai Fight: Rome , ,

Genzano di Roma Genzano di Roma is a town and ''comune'' in the Metropolitan City of Rome, in the Lazio region of central Italy. It is one of the Castelli Romani, at a distance of from Rome, in the Alban Hills. History The origin of the name ''Genzano'' is st ...

Italy Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...

, , Decision , , 3 , , 2:00 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 2023-02-05 , , Win , , align="left" , Yuly Alves , , Thai Fight: Luang Phor Ruay , , Saraburi,

, , Decision , , 3 , , 2:00 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 2022-12-24, , Win , , align="left" , Fani Peloumpi, , Thai Fight: Metropolitan Police Bureau 100th Anniversary , ,

Bangkok, Thailand Bangkok, officially known in Thai language, Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and colloquially as Krung Thep, is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. The city occupies in the Chao Phraya River delta in central Thailand and has an estim ...

, , KO (Right cross), , 3 , , , - ! style=background:white colspan=9 , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 2022-11-20, , Win , , align="left" , Daniela Lopez, , Thai Fight: Vana Nava Hua Hin , ,

, , Decision , , 3 , , 2:00 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 2022-10-16 , , Win , , align=left, Mariana Bernardes , , Thai Fight: Vajiravudh , ,

, , KO (Left hook to the body), , 2 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 2022-06-26 , , Win , , align=left, Plaifah Sor.Nittaya , , Thai Fight: Sisaket , ,

Sisaket Sisaket (, , ; Northern Khmer dialect, Northern Khmer: ) is a Thesaban#Town municipality, town municipality in Isan, northeast Thailand, incorporating Mueang Nuea and Mueang Tai Subdistricts and parts of Cham, Nong Khrok, Pho, Phon kha, and Ya P ...

, , KO , , 2 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 2022-05-29 , , Win , , align=left, Angela Chang , , Thai Fight: Nakhon Sawan , ,

Nakhon Sawan Nakhon Sawan (, ) is a city (''thesaban nakhon'') in Thailand. The name literally means "Heavenly City". The city is the capital of Nakhon Sawan province, and covers the complete subdistrict (''tambon'') of Pak Nam Pho and parts of Khwae Yai, Nak ...

, , Decision (Unanimous) , , 3 , , 2:00 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 2022-05-08 , , Win , , align=left, Sanaz Feizollah , , Thai Fight: Sung Noem , , Sung Noen,

, , KO , , 1 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 2022-04-17 , , Win , , align=left, Yimsiam Komin-Furniture , , Thai Fight: Pathum Thani , ,

Pathum Thani Pathum Thani (, ) is a town ('' thesaban mueang'') in central Thailand, directly north of Bangkok. It is the capital of the Pathum Thani province, Thailand as well as the Mueang Pathum Thani district. As of 2005, it has a population of 18,320, c ...

, , KO , , 1 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 2022-03-20 , , Win , , align=left, Petchsarocha Looksaikongdin , , Thai Fight: Lampang , ,

Lampang Lampang, also called Nakhon Lampang (; , ) to differentiate from Lampang province, is the third largest city in northern Thailand and capital of Lampang province and the Mueang Lampang district. Traditional names for Lampang include Wiang Lak ...

, , Decision (Unanimous) , , 3 , , 2:00 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 2022-02-26 , , Win , , align=left, Dangkongfah Smartheartpowerpackgirl , , Muay Hardcore , ,

, , Decision (Unanimous) , , 3 , , 3:00 , - style="background:#fbb;" , 2022-01-08 , , Loss , , align=left, Dangkongfah Smartheartpowerpackgirl , , Muay Hardcore , ,

, , Decision (Split) , , 3 , , 3:00 , - , colspan=9 , ''Legend'':

Amateur boxing record

References

{{reflist, 30em 1996 births Living people Burmese Lethwei practitioners Burmese female Muay Thai practitioners Veronika People from Shan State Burmese Christians Burmese Karen people Burmese expatriate sportspeople in Thailand 21st-century Burmese women