Teenage Female Kickboxers Set To Fight
[Written by Stephen Wright]
A female kickboxing bout between two Bermudians takes place next Saturday [October 28] when Rhiannon Morgan faces Enzi Johnston at The Shed in Dockyard.
Teenagers Morgan and Johnston will meet in a three-round K1 rules fight, sanctioned by the World Kickboxing Association [WKA] Bermuda, on the undercard of Fight Night Champion.
Both fighters head into the contest high in confidence, with Morgan winning the Junior Novice Atomweight Division at the TBA Muay Thai Expo World Championships in Des Moines, Iowa, in June, and Johnston claiming the bronze medal at the Pan American Kung Fu Championships in Markham, Ontario, in August.
Johnston, 14, who attends Berkeley Institute, has trained in jiujitsu for eight years and sanda for five and represents the Bermuda Sanshou Association [BSA].
Garon Wilkinson, the BSA president, said he is encouraged by the evolution of women’s sport on the island, believing the bout is the perfect opportunity for both fighters to showcase their talent.
“It just shows how much women’s sport has evolved [in Bermuda],” said Wilkinson, who meets Jared Jimenez in a masters amateur boxing bout next Saturday.
“Years ago, football was predominantly a male sport, yet look at how well our women’s [national] team are doing. “[Combat sports] are great for confidence building and self-esteem and will help these girls become strong women and leaders.”
Morgan, 15, a Warwick Academy student, will switch from Muay Thai to Kickboxing for her second amateur contest.
Chuck Morgan, Rhiannon’s father and head coach at Fight City Muay Thai and Fitness, said: “Too often, young Bermudians, male or female, have to travel to compete or settle for a boxing match just to get ring experience.
“I’m grateful to Garon and his team at WKA Bermuda for sanctioning their first kickboxing event in Bermuda. Two teenage girls will get to set the standard for what’s to come in the future.
“This will be Rhiannon’s first kickboxing match and only her second fight. I’m proud of her commitment to challenge herself against a very good opponent in Enzi.”
Just wondering if theses young teens will wear head protection, getting kicked and punched in the head can’t be good at that age.
This whole idea is sick!
They will wear protection including head gear. They have trained to learn how to absorb shots and how to defend against them – they are much more prepared than a normal teenager to face adversity and this training helps them to avoid fighting out of the ring – where damage can be a lot more severe. They’re training and testing themselves, it u it’s preparing them for a lot of challenges In life and providing them with not only great work ethic but perseverance as well.
great!!! I am sure ALL have both young ladies safety in hand. If it where young men. would there be any doubt. A sport these ladies both enjoy. let them shine. Go ladies????.