Feature Fighter of the Month – Anita BOOM

This month we have an up-close and personal chat with Pro Member ANITA BOOM. Anita tells Nationally Registered Fighter’s how she started in self-defence as a child to bringing home a Gold medal at the IFMA World Championships last year. Anita is set for a battle in WA this weekend on the Epic show. We can’t wait to see the BOOM she will bring!

Stats:

• Fight Style: Muay Thai
• Fight Weight: 68-80Kgs
• State: Victoria
• Fight Record: 13 Fights [11W-2L-0D]

You started as a kid in self defence, how old were you when you first start training?

From a young age my parents encouraged me to participate in self-defence, notably Judo, from memory I think I started at the age of 5 and had my first competition at the age of 8. Some time later I then pursued a more self defence form of Japanese martial arts called Jishukan Ryu where my skills advanced quite rapidly and began training with the adult black belts around the age of 13 until the age of 17. Purely a form of self defence so there were no forms of competition..”

So, what got you into the Muay Thai?

After participating in a number of team sports, I decided I wanted to get back in to martial arts, which I started approximately 4.5 years ago. Muay Thai was something I had wanted to try since the age of 18.”

What is your biggest success in your career so far?

Winning Gold for Australia in the IFMA World Championships in 2016.”

That is fantastic Anita, to rep Australia and bring home a Gold! What have you had to sacrifice to get to where you are now?

Spare time. (not complaining!) Catching up with friends and going out socialising outside of Muay Thai. I have had to put university study on hold.”

… and what have you gained?

I have gained a number of friends I consider ‘family’ in the Muay Thai community internationally and all over Australia.”

Which fighter/s do you look up to? Who inspires you as a fighter?

I am lucky to be able to have fighters who inspire me and who I look up to as training partners and/or friends; notably Richard Fanous as I admire the way he trains, Kim Olsen for his mental attitude and commitment to training and fighting,
Toby Smith for his fight style and aggression. All some of the most humble & kind hearted people I know.”

Is it more important to be respected or feared?

I feel it is more important to be respected rather than feared as I believe you need to give respect in order to gain respect. Always be compassionate and nice, you never really know someone else’s story.”

What do you enjoying doing when you’re not training?

I work as barista, which I absolutely love!”

If you were injured and could no longer train or fight, what would your fallback plan be?

Complete my degree in Molecular Genetics & Biotechnology, return to playing the Piano and learn how to play the Saxophone.”

A lover of genetics and the arts Anita! Thanks for your time in sharing your thoughts Anita.

To book ANITA for a fight get in touch with our NRF Fight Management Team
Keep an eye on our Facebook page and website for more as we follow Anita’s journey through her fight career.