Gold Coast Woman of the Year 2019: Empowering women in sport

Meet the Muay Thai star building women’s confidence by encouraging them into the sport.

CHELSEA Hackett is changing the perception of female boxers one fight at a time.

The 20-year-old finalist in the Bulletin’s Women of the Year is already a three-time Australian Lightweight Champion and two-time World Champion in Muay Thai.

But she is aiming for more.

Ms Hackett has been training in Jiu Jitsu ready for her first mixed martial arts (MMA) fight in March in a bid to make it to the big time of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

“My ultimate goal is to be a UFC champion and if I can be the youngest female champion that would be amazing,” she said.

“I want to get to the top and be the best and if I can do it at a super young age and show what hard work and dedication can get you.”

Gold Coast Muay Thai fighter Chelsea Hackett.

Between competing Ms Hackett runs her own gym Hammer Fit in West Burleigh and wants to see more women take up the sport.

“I love to share my knowledge with other women and teach them self defence as well to empower them make them feel confident in themselves,” she said.

“MMA and Muay Thai are very male dominated at the moment but it’s definitely changing and evolving. People are becoming more accepting of female fighters.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE GOLD COAST BULLETIN - JUST $1 FOR THE FIRS T28 DAYS

“I’d really love to empower women to step up and give it a go. I’ve definitely developed a lot of self-confidence from it.”

The winners of the Harvey Norman Gold Coast Women of the Year will be announced on International Women’s Day, March 8 - she is a finalist in the Sporting Superstars category.

“I’m super honoured to be among some great woman,” she said.