Over the Edge - January 4, 2012

features

WHY MUAY THAI AND GINA
CARANO ROCK MY WORLD

LAURA BEVACQUA
FEATURES EDITOR

think Strikeforce fighter Gina
[es is wickedly great for two

reasons. One, she is the female
champ of Muay Thai cage fighting.
Two, she is brilliantly successful,
tough, and determined both in and
outside the ring. Three, she kicks ass
like no one’s business.

I didn’t know who Carano was
until I started Muay Thai training a
year ago. Before coming to UNBC
I too was engaged in the sport and
found a real passion for it. Years
ago, I had practiced kickboxing and
though quite similar, I have real-
ized that my niche is in Muay Thai,

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otherwise known as “the art of eight
limbs.” European and American ver-
sions of boxing have integrated Muay
Thai techniques in their practices. Al-
though I am interested in other forms
of martial arts, learning Thailand’s
national combat sport has left a tre-
mendous pulsating impact. It is an in-
vigorating stand-up fighting sport that
involves great discipline and respect,
challenging levels of conditioning
and rigorous training, extensive strik-
ing techniques and strategies. Did
I mention that Muay Thai boxing is
also considered to be one, if not the
most, lethal martial art in the world?

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MMA champion Gina Carano

Muay Thai combat has tradition-
ally been a sport for men but around
the world, women have been entering
the Muay Thai ring as well. A reality
TV show called “Fight Girls” show-
cases women fighters who practice
in Las Vegas with the ultimate train-
ing coach, Master Toddy (who is also
Carano’s trainer) and compete for a
title in Thailand. Muay Thai pushes
your strength and limits and female
participants recognize the value in
such an intensive sport whether it is
for self defense, quick reflexes and
stamina, weight loss, to compete, or
as a way to focus on nothing but the

The World’s best female Thai kickboxer

practice. Women often get hooked for

many other reasons as well.

The acceptance of female Muay Thai
fighters is changing, perhaps because
the overall acceptance of female
fighters is growing as seen through
different MMA sports and competi-
tions, movies and television shows.
Muay thai schools and classes are
widely popping up across the world.
It has now become more accessible
to engage in Muay Thai than ever
before. It is a hard-hitting challenge
that requires perseverance, physical
strength, focus and determination.
Gina Carano is a role model for

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women and girls. She empowers the
female population to get out there
and kick some ass, in the ring and
throughout life. She has succeeded
in a male-dominated sport and her
competitive nature and willpower
win her the fights that she deserves.
Aside from training, Carano will be
appearing in the movie “Haywire”
which is in theatres on January 20th.
Step aside Angelina. Gina’s in the
house.

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