Abiral Ghimire (Nepali:अबिरल घिमिरे, born 9 September 1999) also known as Abiral Himalayan Cheetah (アビラル・ヒマラヤンチーター) is a Nepalese kickboxer, currently fighting in the super-welterweight division of K-1. A professional competitor since 2017, he is the current HEAT Middleweight champion.

Background

Abhiral Ghimire is originally from Gurjudhara in the

Chandragiri Municipality Chandragiri is a municipality in Kathmandu District in Bagmati Province of Nepal that was declared as municipality on 2 December 2014 by merging the former Village Development Committees Baad Bhanjyang, Balambu, Dahachok, Mahadevsthan, Machhe ...

. He went to Japan in 2016 and started kickboxing inspired by his father who also was a kick boxer and participated in "K-1 WORLD GP 2004 in SEOUL" held in Korea in 2004 under the name of Dave Kumar Ghimire. He also fought Minowaman in 2011 at "GLADIATOR 27" under mixed martial arts rules. Abiral's ring name "Himalayan Cheetah" is said to have come from his father's desire to "become a fighter who beats his opponent ferociously like a cheetah."

Kickboxing career

Early career

Ghimire made his professional debut against Negi Majin at HEAT 41 on December 23, 2017. He won the fight by a first-round knockout. Ghimire extended his winning streak to three fights with a stoppage victory against Lada at S.BATTLE 15 on April 15, 2018 and a decision victory against Pan Soo Kim at HEAT 42 on May 27, 2018. These victories earned Ghimire a place in the HEAT 43 Middleweight tournament, held on September 17, 2018. He beat Yohei Fujioka by a first-round technical knockout, but lost to Bruno Gazani by unanimous decision in the finals.

HEAT Middleweight champion

Title run

Ghimire was scheduled to face Kyung Jae Cho at HEAT 44 on March 2, 2019. He won the fight by a second-round knockout. Ghimire was scheduled to face Franco Gutierrez at HEAT 45 on July 28, 2019. He won the fight by a second-round knockout. Ghimire was scheduled to fight Akihi Aoya at S.BATTLE on November 3, 2019. He won the fight by a first-round technical knockout.

Title reign

His three-fight winning streak earned Ghimire the chance to fight Ichiyo Morimoto at HEAT 46 on January 19, 2020, for the HEAT Middleweight title. HE won the title by a first-round knockout, landing a right hook at the 2:20 minute mark. Ghimire was scheduled to make his first title defense eight months later, against Tatsuya at HEAT 47 on September 13, 2020. He successfully defended the title by a first-round knockout, stopping his opponent with a left knee midway through the round.

K-1

Ghimire was scheduled to fight the reigning super-welterweight K-1 champion

Minoru Kimura is a Brazilian kickboxer of Japanese and Italian descent, fighting out of Fighting Kairos Gym. He is the former K-1 Super Welterweight champion. He has faced several notable fighters of his weight division such as Kaew Fairtex, Hideaki Yamaz ...

in a non-title bout at K-1 World GP 2020 in Tokyo on December 13, 2020. He lost the fight by a second-round technical knockout, after the ringside doctor stopped the fight due to a cut above Abiral's left eye. Ghimire was scheduled to fight Kotetsu at K-1 World GP 2021: K’Festa 4 Day.2 on March 28, 2021. He won the fight by a first-round knockout. Ghimire made his return to HEAT against Eiji Yoshida at HEAT 48 on April 25, 2021. He won the fight by a first-round technical knockout. Ghimire was scheduled to face

Hiromi Wajima Hiromi Wajima (born 23 February 1995) is a Japanese kickboxer, currently competing in the super welterweight division of K-1, where he is the current K-1 Super Welterweight champion. He is the finalist of the 2020 K-1 Super Welterweight Grand ...

at K-1 World GP 2021 in Fukuoka on Juy 17, 2021. He lost the fight by a third-round low kick knockout. Ghimire was scheduled to fight Daisuke Fujimura for the HEAT Kick -70kg title at HEAT 49 on October 17, 2021. He won the fight by a first-round technical knockout. Ghimire was scheduled to face Daiki Matsushita at K-1 World GP 2022 Japan on February 27, 2022. He won the fight by a first-round technical knockout, stopping Matsushita with a flurry of punches at the 2:00 minute mark of the opening round. Ghimire was booked to face Raseasing Weerasakreck in a non-title bout at HEAT 50 on May 7, 2022. He won the fight by knockout in the first round with a body shot. Ghimire faced the four-weight

Rajadamnern Stadium Rajadamnern Stadium ( th, สนามมวยราชดำเนิน; ), also spelled ''Ratchadamnoen'', is a sporting arena in Bangkok, Thailand. Along with Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, Rajadamnern is one of the two main stadiums for modern mu ...

champion

Jomthong Chuwattana Jomthong Chuwattana is a Thai Muay Thai kickboxer. He is the WBC Muaythai Featherweight Champion and 3 times Rajadamnern Stadium Champion. As of 24 July 2017, he is ranked the #5 lightweight in the world by LiverKick.com. Biography Jomthong Ch ...

at K-1 World GP 2022 Yokohamatsuri on September 11, 2022. He lost the fight by a first-round head kick knockout. Ghimire faced the Krush Super Welterweight champion

Jordann Pikeur Jordann Pikeur (born 1 September 1990) is a Curaçaoan-Dutch kickboxer. He is the current K-1 Krush Super Welterweight champion. He was ranked in the Combat Press featherweight top ten between April 2019 and March 2022, peaking at #2. Kickbox ...

at K-1 World GP 2023: K'Festa 6 on March 12, 2023.

Championships and awards

* HEAT ** 2020 HEAT Kick Middleweight Championship (Two title defenses)

Kickboxing record

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Bruno Gazani Bruno Felipe Gomes Gazani (born January 10, 1986) is a Brazilian professional kickboxer. He currently competes in the Lightweight division of GLORY. As of July 31, 2022, he is #9 in the GLORY lightweight rankings. Kickboxing career Early year ...

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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ghimire, Abiral 1999 births Living people Nepalese kickboxers Welterweight kickboxers Sportspeople from Kathmandu Khas people