Story By: Kathryn Quinn, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Golder’s News And Sport

This Thai kickboxing world champion is to make a surprise comeback just one year after breaking his neck in the ring.

German fighter Pascal Schroth, from Bremerhaven, a city at the seaport of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, Germany, broke a bone in his neck in October last year (2018) during a fight against Quinghao Meng from Taicang, China while defending his K1 title.

He broke his neck after he was picked up and slammed to the ground head first by his opponent.

At the time he said: “When I landed, I could feel and hear the crack in my neck and I was in immediate pain. Next, I see the referee standing over me and giving me the count. I see a glimpse of my opponent celebrating in his corner. I desperately tried to stand up but it was impossible, I couldn’t lift my head.

“I realised I was injured. I was in incredible pain but kept trying to get up. There was nothing I wanted more then just simply stand up. They placed a neck supporter on me, put me on some kind of a gurney, and carried me out of the ring. I didn’t realise what was happening: this all happened very fast. They put me in an ambulance and brought me to a hospital.”

At the hospital he was diagnosed with two fractures of his neck.

He added: “In no sport in the world are such throws allowed.”

Less than one year later he is set to defend his World Champion title in the under-72.5 kilogramme class against Spanish-based fighter Mariyan Asenov at the Steko’s Fight Night in Circus Krone event in the Bavarian capital of Munich on Thursday.

After nine months of rehabilitation and training, he is now fit to fight again.

He said: “You need to fight without emotions, but it will be difficult this time.”

The fighter who lives in Thailand faced financial ruin following the incident and was supported by fellow sportsmen who raised funds for him in fight nights.

He said of his upcoming fight: “My will to win this fight is higher than ever before. I feel stronger than ever.

His first child is due on October 17th and he says that is giving him even more motivation to get back to his winning ways.

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