- George Chung
- Aug 15, 2024
- 4 min read
Asa Ten Pow will get a chance to shine when ONE Championship returns to the United States on Friday, September 6 for ONE 168.
"The American Ninja" will welcome longtime fan-favorite John Lineker to the world of Muay Thai when they collide in a bantamweight showdown at ONE 168: Denver.
Ahead of the exciting clash, Ten Pow reflected on his journey to the global stage, from a rambunctious childhood to martial arts greatness.
"I was on my own. I was outside all the time. I had to be back in before the sun was down. So, all the time I was outside playing," Ten Pow told ONE.
"I was really into sports. Whatever we could play. If there was a ball, we were playing something. So yeah, I had a lot of free time to be outside and run around."
Unsurprisingly, when he was watching a television show or movie, it was martial arts that drew his attention.
"Power Rangers. Ninja Turtles. There was so much of that in my household. Bruce Lee on VHS. It was just always about some martial art," Ten Pow remembered.
Having a father who was a martial artist led to his start in the sport.
However, it was a more important lesson of not giving up that set Ten Pow on a course to grow into the star he is today.
"My dad put me in martial arts at a very early age, actually with my mother. We were in a traditional karate hybrid style. I was like 5 years old when I started," the American striker remarked.
"The most important thing that my dad said was, 'He has to stay in it. Whatever we start, he has to learn consistency.' So, he was the one who kept me in it."
"When my parents split and we moved down to South Florida, he knew of a teacher. It was a family teacher who actually taught my grandmother in traditional kung fu. His name was Sifu Andy Chung. He was my first real experience with martial arts."
After finding success in traditional martial arts, Ten Pow began to lose interest. He still loved what he was doing but wanted more out of it. The forms were growing tired, according to "The American Ninja," and he wanted to compete in contact martial arts.
Seeing that his son wanted more, Ten Pow's father looked toward the direction of "the art of eight limbs."
"I think I was 16 or 17 at the time when my dad signed me up for a new Muay Thai gym. He didn't want me to fight. And I was like, 'I need to fight.' So, he said, 'Alright, figure it out. Here you go. I'll pay for the first month, and then you gotta do the rest," Ten Pow stated.
As Ten Pow entered adulthood, he realized that continuing with his education may not be the right move for him. He always enjoyed life outside of the classroom.
That is when the Floridian's coach told him he could see him having a future in Muay Thai. Getting that support allowed Ten Pow to see a bright future in martial arts as a professional.
"Unfortunately, my grades weren't that great, and I couldn't continue to do scholastic stuff. Being an outdoors kid, school really sucked. I needed something to do because kung fu was not it," the Floridian admitted.
"My Muay Thai teacher was telling me I could do it. Not to gas me up or anything, but it was like he could see the potential in me. So, I could feel that. I knew that I had a look and a fighting ability that was entertaining."
"I thought, 'I'm gonna do this, there's really nothing else.' I kept on the path with the kickboxing and Muay Thai. And that's the path I'm on right now."
Ten Pow lost his father in 2022. The heartbreak continues for "The American Ninja," but it has now become a driving force for the talented striker.
The 34-year-old wants to honor his father with his chase for gold.
"My dad really set the way for me. He showed me how to work and support myself. And the way he was with me and with other people, he was charming, and he could light the room up. So, he was that guy [who inspired me]," the Muay Thai specialist detailed.
"Not having my father, who was obviously a big proponent in all of this, is hard. Although he probably wouldn't want to see me fight anymore anyway, I just want to get that championship belt for all that work we've done and seal that off."
Defeating Lineker will give Ten Pow a major boost in his efforts of chasing gold. With a long career reaching a fever pitch, "The American Ninja" feels the 26 pounds of gold holds more meaning than being the world's best.
"I've got to a point where I can make some money and be comfortable. That's the hard part. It's like you almost break yourself before you make the money," Ten Pow said.
"[Winning the ONE World Title] would be a legacy of dedication, consistency, discipline, respect, and perseverance, and [it's important to] seal this drive that has gotten everything for me."
"I have a gym now, I have a successful business. The people in my life all come from the journey of getting to this place, and it's just minting all of that. [It's about] showing that I backed up what I said, and that's all there is to it."
ONE 168: Denver airs live on Friday, September 6, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on Prime Video.
