is competing under ONE바카라s bright lights not only for fame and acclaim 바카라 but also to fulfill a promise to her family back home in Israel.
On June 6 in U.S. primetime, the rising star will challenge for the ONE Women바카라s Atomweight Muay Thai World Title in the main event of .
As the 24-year-old Cohen prepares for that massive World Title showdown at Bangkok바카라s Lumpinee Stadium, she is carrying a uniquely deep and personal motivation.
She recently opened up to about her younger sister바카라s mental health struggles:
바카라Last year, not long before my fight with , my younger sister, she tried to take her own life. So she바카라s struggling. After that happened last year, I went home to visit her, just to give her hope and give her some encouragement.바카라
Cohen바카라s 18-year-old sister suffers from depression, and her battle has profoundly impacted the entire family.
A Road to ONE tournament winner who has enjoyed a sensational 3-0 start to her ONE Championship tenure, the Fairtex representative has been forced to balance her booming fight career with supporting her sister from over 4,000 miles away in Thailand.
Understandably, that long-distance relationship has been difficult. But Cohen knows depression is a constant battle, and she바카라s not about to give up on her sister:
바카라She바카라s better today, but still it바카라s not something that just disappears. Depression, it바카라s not something that just disappears. It바카라s still there, you know. Some days are better, some days it바카라s really bad. I can tell.바카라
Despite the distance between them and Cohen바카라s demanding training schedule, the atomweight Muay Thai contender has worked hard to maintain a solid connection with her sister.
They speak on the phone multiple times daily, often immediately before and after training sessions. Those conversations are critical lifelines for the siblings, creating an important support system.
Cohen said:
바카라Every day, I talk with her, even before training. I talk with her right after I finish training. Even when I바카라m still in the gym, I바카라m packing my stuff, straight away, I call her. I feel like I바카라m with her even though I바카라m not physically there.바카라
An Unbreakable Bond
Shir Cohen바카라s bond with her sister runs incredibly deep.
The martial artist sees much of herself in her younger sibling 바카라 a fact that keeps their connection strong even in the toughest of times:
바카라She바카라s like a mini-me, and everything that she바카라s been through in the past, I바카라ve been there, and same with me. I바카라ve been through things, and she바카라s been there.바카라
This sister-to-sister connection has felt almost supernatural at times. Cohen vividly recalls having an unexplainable urge to call home at the precise moment that her sister was in crisis.
Her journey in combat sports is about creating a better future for her family rather than personal gain, and her upcoming World Title shot at ONE Fight Night 32 is an opportunity to achieve something great, and in turn, help those she loves the most.
For now, Cohen is holding her connection with her sister close as they both dream about brighter days ahead:
바카라When we talk, we talk about our dream to be together in the future, and maybe she will be able to come here, and we바카라re planning many things to do in the future. I know it gives her something to hold on to.바카라
