A pint-sized Japanese woman with a humble, Zen-like philosophy is taking kickboxing by storm, battering rivals to become a world champion in the violent Thai martial art.

Ayaka Miyauchi, a former dentist's assistant who goes by her fighting name "Little Tiger," has captured six world titles in Muay Thai but insists the true mark of a champion is how they behave outside of the ring.

"A belt isn't the only thing which defines a champion," said the 33-year-old flyweight queen. "A real champion is a champion even outside the ring."