When Winnia Leow first picked up muay thai as a 15-year-old, she had to hide it from her parents as she was afraid that they would stop her as the sport was perceived as violent and male-dominated.
Today, the 25-year-old trains young enthusiasts at martial arts gym Pineapple MMA and is one of Singapore's most exciting female prospects in the sport. The super flyweight (52kg) is also 17th in the World Boxing Council (WBC) muay thai rankings.
Leow, who had her first amateur fight at 18, won the WBC Muay Thai MuayYing Prestige Championship after beating Hong Kong's Penny Fung at the Royal Thai Embassy in Singapore on Aug 31.
Her growth in the martial art, along with muay thai's transformation from a traditionally male-dominated discipline to a fitness activity embraced by people of all ages and genders, highlight its global rise. Leow noted that it has become increasingly mainstream, driven by fitness influencers and gyms promoting it for conditioning and self-defence, not just for combat.
Leow said: "Back then, there were not many girls doing the sport and for any girl looking to get into it, it would have been very daunting. Your training partners were men.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 29, 2024-Ausgabe von The Straits Times.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 29, 2024-Ausgabe von The Straits Times.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Krupnova brings positivity to Wondersticks and S'pore
While it has been only two weeks since Eliska Krupnova joined Singapore Floorball Premier League (SFL) side Wondersticks, the 2020 world's best female floorball player has lit up the league in more ways than one.
HER UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Belarusian Goutseva back to complete her artistic swimming vision for Singapore
Villa now in the big leagues, thanks to their manager
On The Ball | There are doubts about the new Champions League format, its extended group stage and \"Swiss model\" fixture list. Try telling that to anyone connected with Aston Villa, though.
REDS' WIN 'SPECIAL' FOR SLOT
Manager says it will let wife see a happy man, but warns of tough stretch ahead
Respectful Emery wary of United's winning mentality
Unai Emery praised the under-pressure Erik ten Hag on Oct 4 as the Aston Villa boss labelled Manchester United \"the best team in the world\" despite their dismal form.
ANGE FACES A 'CURIOUS' TEST BY HURZELER
Brighton boss, who asked 'many questions' on a day at Spurs in 2023, has 'inside info'
Pogba's 'nightmare is over' as ban cut to 18 months
French international footballer Paul Pogba said on Oct 4 that his \"nightmare is over\" after a four-year ban for doping was reduced to 18 months.
Blues need time to compete with City, Arsenal
Chelsea are improving but are not yet ready to compete with top English Premier League clubs like Manchester City and Arsenal, manager Enzo Maresca said on Oct 4.
Billie Jean King Cup to align with Davis Cup format
The Billie Jean King Cup Finals will transition to an eight-team event in 2025, from the current 12, to mirror the existing Davis Cup format, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) said on Oct 4.
Money talks to grow US rugby reportedly back on
Rugby union's governing body World Rugby has revived talks to raise funds for growing the sport in the United States, three people familiar with the matter said.