Sunshine Coast Thai boxing talents ready for National Muay Thai Champs
Eleven Sunshine Coast junior and senior fighters are ready to punch their ticket to the World Games as they step into the ring at the National Muay Thai Championships this weekend. Find out more about our region’s leading fighters.
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Eleven Sunshine Coast Muay Thai talents are hopeful their ‘flat-out’ commitment to the gym will result in Australian team selection as they showcase their skills at the 2024 National Championships in the coming days.
Six junior and five senior fighters from Sunshine Coast Thai boxing Centre will compete on the Gold Coast from March 8 to 10 in a bid to batter and bruise their way to a world title.
If successful, they will be selected to don the green and gold where they will travel to Thailand (Youth) and Athens (Seniors) later this year.
SCTBC head coach Joe Hilton said he was eager to see what his fighters could do.
“It’s always exciting to see people perform the best they can and see the hard work at training come to fruition,” he said.
“Everyone's been going flat out since Christmas so they’re more than ready to represent the gym and the Sunshine Coast.
“I’m confident they all have the ability to do well in their various weight divisions.”
Find out more about the 11 hopefuls below:
Charlie Turner (11-years-old)
“Charlie has had one fight for one win when he competed at the state titles more recently,” he said.
“He’s since been training really well and is onto fighting at Nationals.”
Josh Robson (13-years-old)
“Josh has had 22 fights for 14 wins and eight losses, he’s been to two World Games and was a silver medallist last year,” he said.
“He’s been tracking well to be a leading contender again.”
Lochlan Wallis (14-years-old)
“He’s had six fights for four wins and two losses and fought over in Turkey at the World Games in 2023,” he said.
“He’s only young and is still on the rise but hopefully he can cement his spot again this year.”
Jake Hatfield (15-years-old)
“Jake had a fight at the state titles where he came away with the victory and moved his tally to three wins and one loss,” he said.
“He’s also been going well and is trying to get to the World games.”
Jorja Hersey (17-years-old)
“Jorja has been with me for a while, she’s had 13 fights for nine wins, four losses and has competed at the World Games twice,” he said.
“She came away with bronze last year so is aiming to go again and hoping to improve on her efforts last year.”
Skylah Hamill (17-years-old)
“Skylah is one of my more experience junior fighters as she’s had 30 fights for 27 wins and just three losses,” he said.
“She’s been to four World Games and won two gold medals, a silver but unfortunately came away with nothing last year after coming up against a heavier opponent.
David Payne (22-years-old)
“Dave has had five fights for three wins, he is new to Muay Thai after relocating from Sydney,” he said.
“He was impressive at the State titles so is now hoping to showcase his skills at Nationals.”
Ky Newton (21-years-old)
“Ky has had two fights for one win and one loss,” he said.
“He’s looking to further his skills at Nationals and hopefully qualify for the World Games.”
Andre Fleming (26-years-old)
“Andre has had six fights for four wins and two losses, he was chosen last year to go to the World Games but couldn’t attend due to personal reasons,” he said.
“He’s looking to earn his spot again this year and get a chance to represent the country.”
Dillon Curds (26-years-old)
“Dillon does MMA and Muay Thai so he’s had six Muay Thai fights for six wins,” he said.
“He’s very talented and looking to represent Australia.”
Moe Russ (30-years-old)
“Moe is a novice fighter having his first ever fight,” he said.
“He’s one of my trainers here that’s been with me for about 10 years but figured he better jump in and have a fight before he gets too old.”
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