Key Takeaways:

  • Abiral Ghimire (‘Himalayan Cheetah’) crowned world champion in Nagoya
  • Defeated French champion Mathon Choinard with a knockout punch.
  • Victory came in second minute of second round at Hit Kick Boxing 59th ISKF World Championship
  • Ghimire’s record: 21 wins from 29 bouts, including 20 knockouts
  • Choinard had held the world title since 2025

KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 6

Nepali kickboxer Abiral Ghimire has won the world championship after defeating reigning French champion Mathon Choinard at an international kickboxing event in Nagoya, Japan.

Ghimire, popularly known as the “Himalayan Cheetah”, knocked out Choinard with a powerful punch in the second minute of the second round during the main event of the Hit Kick Boxing 59th International Sports Kick Boxing Federation World Championship at Kariya Hall on Saturday.

Choinard had held the world title since 2025, making Ghimire’s victory a landmark achievement for Nepali combat sports.

With the win, Ghimire has now recorded 21 victories from 29 international bouts, including 20 knockout wins, according to details provided.