Schmidt for WBC Australian Title Fight

There’s more to Yolanda Schmidt than meets the eye. Dubbed “ Springbok” AKA “Smiling Assassin”.   Schmidt has a unique reason behind her involvement in the Muay Thai.

“Something that I’ve never really touched on, and I’d like to now, my mother was married to an abusive man who made our life hell…I get into the ring for my mom! She couldn’t stand up to him and this is also why I have started the Say No to Abuse Against Women and Children Campaign.I would love support from Australia and the world to make a stand.”

Schmidt wears orange on the 25th of every month as a way to draw attention to the cause.

After taking a forced break in February for surgery, Schmidt is eager to get back to her new journey with the performance team to improve her overall strength and speed. Coach Nathan Parnham tailors her training to focus on her hips, which she says were “ruined from years of dance”.

While most fighters psych themselves up to annihilate their opponent, Schmidt says she focuses on using skill and says her strength and tenacity are her greatest assets in the ring.

Other than crushing it at her April 9th title match, Schmidt says she would love to move to Thailand in the future, and possibly train other female fighters.

We caught up with Yolanda for a bit of a chat:

So, I have to ask, how did you get your nickname, “The Springbok”

Ha ha ha well the Springbok is South Africa’s national animal known for its speed and agility. However, when fundraising for my first nationals, we were only three female fighters from PTJ at the time. Collectively we were “Andy’s Angels”, yet alone we had our nicknames for the fundraising and Andy is the one that dubbed me that. A common nickname for me around our gym is also “smiling assassin”

What made you want to become a fighter?

Originally I had no intention at all And was completely against fighting. I got into a fitness routine and started grasping the combos and I needed a challenge. So I thought I’d try out the fighting thing. Something that I’ve never really touched on and if like to now, my mother was married to an abusive man who made our life hell, happy to report she now has the best husband who loves and cares for her like she deserves. But not only do I get into the ring to have fun but I get into the ring for my mom! She couldn’t stand up to him and this is also why I have started the “say no to abuse against women and children” campaign whereby I post [sic: photos] wearing orange on the 25th of each month. I would love support from Australia and the world to make a stand.

What have you been doing to train for your Destiny Six WBC Australian Title fight ?

I was out of training for a month the whole of feb due to surgery. So my training had to take a forced break. However, before and after that I started a new journey with the performance team to improve my overall performance, strength and speed. Focus placed on various things, one I can pin point is my hips. Years of dance ruined them, ha ha, and Nathan Parnham (my coach) has worked many house specifically tailoring exercise to my needs. My strength program compliments the Muaythai training, now that I am back into full swing.

What are some of your greatest strengths in the ring?

My tenacity is probably my strength in the ring. I believe I have heart and fire that is endless!

What’s one thing about you that might surprise your fans?

Mmmm I’m not sure, I’d actually love to hear from fans what they would like to know! Something fans might be surprised with is I’m not an angry person or aggressive person at all, I don’t psych myself up before a fight by telling myself to annihilate the girl in the other corner, that is the furthest thing from my mind. For me it’s all about the skill. I meditate daily and I’ve also always got long nails and I make sure my toes match my fingernails lol…Gota keep things presentable.

Other than winning the title match on April 9, what are your goals for the future?

I want a podium finish at worlds this year, preferably better than last year. I aim to get onto muaythai Angels and eventually lion fight. I’d like to move to Thailand for a few months to rack up Some fights if I can. I just want to be active as a fighter, this year has been way too slow for me. Last year this time I was preparing for my third fight of the year already. I want to start teaching women’s classes at some stage too.

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Make sure you get along and support Yolanda on April 9th in QLD on Destiny 6 as she goes to war to bring home the WBC Australian Title!