If you’re a parent and your daughter said that she wanted to pick up muay thai as her sport, what would you say?
Initially, you probably would balk at the thought but you’ll be pleasantly surprised to know that a lot of young women actually have picked up the sport and learned self-defense and confidence in the process.
Last Sunday, I visited a tournament called Ascend, the All-Female Muay Thai Competition at Ateneo College covered courts.
The Philippine Thaiboxing Association National Capital Region Chapter organized the matches.
About 30 girls, from nine to 19 years old, have picked up the Thai combat sport and gave family and friends a competitive tournament
I met 9-year-old Shaina Jane Olimba who goes to school in Alabang and was brought into the sport by an uncle who’s a coach.
Asked if she had any fears or hesitations playing the sport, she replied with confidence, “Hindi po ako natatakot (I am not afraid).”
Then there are those who get involved for other reasons.
Katherine Benedicto, a 19-year-old Tourism major at Dr. Yanga’s College, wanted a sport that would add some beef to her lean body.
So at the Extreme Curves gym where she works out, she decided to pick up the sport and was now readying herself for her first competition that morning.
Benedicto was athletic to begin with anyway as she dabbled in volleyball as well.
Her father was supportive of her activities. She hopes to pursue the sport long after her college days are over.
Then, there are the converts. Those who start with the sport as their Physical Education class option.
Niña Davide of Cebu, who is a grand daughter of former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., is a junior Psychology major at Ateneo.
She chose muay thai as her PE class and has been training with the 30 or so team and club members several times weekly ever since.
“The training is really hard,” Davide reveals, but it keeps her in good stead as she comes from behind to score a decision over her opponent Jessa Olimba in the first bout of the tournament.
Davide is a decent counter striker and constantly scored on openings that her opponent gave her in the second and third rounds.
Andre Puertollano, Ateneo coach who helps organize tournaments, believes that despite the apparent violence of the sport, organizers do protect participants with cautions against excessive contact.
All fighters wear protective gear and referees do step in swiftly once strong contact is made or a knockdown is scored.
Puertollano, a former karate athlete, believes that the attraction of the sport is its raw nature within bounds.
Elbows and knees can be used in battle. What’s more, the attraction to the young women is that this is a sport that they can do well while getting a good workout and superb lessons in discipline and self-confidence.