Thai Boxing
We caught up with the incredibly talented Rachael MacKenzie on her love of Boxing and Thai- Boxing and how you could get involved too. You might be asking yourself, ‘What's the difference between Boxing and Thai-boxing?’ Rachael explains all below, 'Boxing is a hands only sport, all contact has to be above the waist and the only weapon available is the gloved hand. Thai-boxing has 8 weapons available- fists, elbows, knees and feet/shin. Contact can be made anywhere on the body.'
1. How did you first get into boxing?
I started Thai-boxing at University. I’d done no martial arts or contact sports before but a friend persuaded me to go with her. Unfortunately at the time access for women in to the sport was quite limited and my early experience was of being prevented from training with the boys. This was really my early motivation to compete in the ring, wanting to demonstrate that girls could fight just the same as boys.
2. Did you play lots of other sports when you were at school?
Up until the age of about 13 I played every sport that was available to me, which actually wasn’t that many. I went to a very traditional school and we had a term each for hockey, netball, and tennis/athletics. My favourite sport growing up was hockey and over the last few years as I reach the end of my boxing career I’ve gone back to playing hockey. Over my time at secondary school I was put off sport and by the time I went to university I really didn’t play any sport at all.
3. What's the difference between 'Thai' boxing and boxing?
Boxing is a hands only sport, all contact has to be above the waist and the only weapon available is the gloved hand. Thai-boxing has 8 weapons available- fists, elbows, knees and feet/shin. Contact can be made anywhere on the body.
In junior sport boxers can compete from age 11 and Thai-boxers from any age where there is a suitable opponent, however, there is no head-contact in the junior competitions for Thai-boxing.
Both sports are scored in the same way, athletes compete to win points by showing they have made effective contact on their opponent. To be effective the contact must change the balance or action of your opponent.
4. What do you enjoy most about the sport?
I love the training and the people I train with. My best friends are made through sport. I also love competition - I think mostly just because I enjoy the atmosphere and being in the flow of a bout. I don’t really mind if I don’t win so long as I’ve done my best - sometimes my opponents might just be better on the day but having the competition to work towards gives me a goal and a focus for training.
5. Are you ever frightened of getting seriously injured?
No. I’ve had quite a few serious bone breaks and ruptured my anterior cruciate ligaments a few times but I never think about being injured. I think that you are less likely to compete well if you’re focused on something negative like injury, I prefer to focus on enjoying the moment and being positive in my thoughts. I’m always saying to myself “you’ve got this, you’re strong”. Our training really teaches us to look after ourselves and because we always only ever fight inside a boxing ring the officials are always on hand to step in if we need help or aren’t able to protect ourselves.
6. What is your biggest achievement to date in your career?
Most people would think being the best in the world would be my top achievement but I’m actually more proud of helping to change the sport for the girls who have come behind me. I was the first woman (with my opponent) to fight under the same rules as men in the UK and the first woman to fight the traditional muay boran rules in Thailand. Those two moments helped to grow and change the sport.
It was also a really proud moment to be handed my England boxing shirt and to stand in the ring to sing the national anthem having won gold. Though I did forget the words so had to mouth as best as I could!
7. How has the move gone from Thai-boxing to boxing?
Although Thai-boxing and boxing appear very similar sports to non-combat athletes they have very different styles and this really helped me. I have an unorthodox style of boxing that made me a tricky opponent so I am fortunate to be GB champion in boxing. Post-pandemic I made the return to Thai-boxing and took Silver at the World Championships this year.
8. What are your ambitions?
I’d like to inspire all women and girls to be brave enough to try and to keep trying different sports until they find the one they can keep playing for life. Sport is the main way that I look after my well-being and I think it’s such a powerful tool to improve our lives. I plan to keep fighting until 2024 when, if I can win the British title again that year, will mark 20 years since I won my first British title and end a 25 year career competing in combat sports.
9. What's the most memorable 'fight' you have had?
I fought the “killer queen” Illonka Elmont in a title fight. She was the world champion and the poster girl for thai boxing at the time. She entered the ring with a spear doing a war dance. I tripped over as I left the changing room! The fight was the most exciting fight I’d been in with Illonka and her team trying every trick in the book to take the win. Unfortunately for them it was my day and I walked away with the belt.
10. You're also an athlete mentor - what is your most important advice to young athletes?
Small consistent behaviours are more important than a few big moments if you plan to have a long career in sport and even if your ambitions aren’t to be an athlete the consistent positive behaviours will help you to be awesome at whatever you do.
My top 5:
Sleep - good quality sleep is key to recovery and learning, make sure your night time routine helps you to sleep enough.
Attention- whatever you place your attention on change you so focus on the things that are important. In training focus on your training, in school don’t be distracted by anyone not trying to be their best and in your own self talk - don’t let your mind focus on the negative, when things don’t go well ask yourself “what did I learn from that”.
Attitude - choose to turn up with a smile, energy and positive mindset. We can’t always control our circumstances but we can control our attitude.
Nutrition - eat your veg, drink your water and focus on feeding your performance.
Friends - surround yourself with people that are ambitious and who support you trying to be your best.
To find a Thai-boxing club follow this recommended link from Rachael: https://muaythaiuk.co.uk/muay-thai-gyms/
For boxing find a club here: https://www.englandboxinginsight.com/clubs/finder
