Seven local competitors are set to represent the Hat during the 19th annual Fists of Fury Muay Thai and Kickboxing card this Saturday at the Cypress Centre.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
Seven of Medicine Hat’s top Muay Thai fighters and kickboxers will be on display this weekend as SACA Kickboxing hosts its annual Fists of Fury card on April 27.
Two of the seven local competitors are described by coach Jamie Droeske as humble and quiet outside the ring but both turn into fierce competitors after the fight bell rings.
Starting with 14-year-old Owen Rabb, who has been training in both children and adult classes, and is set to make his kickboxing debut Saturday night.
“To find a teen that is willing to put in the work that fighting requires is very rare to come across,” explains Droeske. “He’s quiet. He doesn’t say a whole lot. But he’s good. Like, he’s got the skills and he’s long, he’s a really long fighter.”
Rabb started training at SACA Kickboxing one year ago and has proven to put in the work needed to compete at the highest level.
“Because he has been so dedicated and put so much time and effort in, that’s what got him a match,” adds Droeske.
Joining Rabb and the other local competitors is Kathleen “The Machine” Haskayne, who is described as a scrappy fighter who never gives up and has become a crowd favourite for her relentless fighting style.
“She is one of the quietest, shyest people you could meet,” says Droeske. “But when she steps in the ring, she doesn’t stop, she presses forward the whole time and she overwhelms her opponents.”
Janelle Pollock, Konner Smith, Naye Kelly, Jordan Larochelle and Devin Weisbeck will also be representing Medicine Hat on the 10-match card for the the only annual standing competitive fighting event put on in the Hat.
“They call it the art of eight limbs,” explains Droeske. “Because you’ve got your knees, feet, elbows and hands. And so there’s no ground stuff, it’s all stand-up and that makes it even more exciting.”
Tickets are available at eventbrite.ca with bleacher seats at $35 and floor seating at $40. First row reserved seating for $50. Doors open at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Cypress Centre with the first fight set for 6:15 p.m.
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