NT Muay Thai: Taleisha Kirk to represent Australia at Hungary Kickboxing World Cup
A young Northern Territory Muay Thai fighter is gearing up to represent Australia at the upcoming kickboxing world cup in Hungary.
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Just short of six years ago at a Muay Thai gym in Howard Springs, an excited 12-year-old Taleisha Kirk entered the room and began to train.
She had trained in various martial arts in the past, and was now looking forward to getting back into the fighting scene.
But there was something different about Muay Thai, and after only a few training sessions at the Lukphinong Muay Thai gym, Kirk knew she had found something special.
“I definitely wouldn’t be who I am today if it wasn’t for the sport; from the start it gave me a lot of guidance and lot of clarity around my life,” Kirk, now 17-years-old, said.
“It has helped me through so many rough times in my life … [and] I love everything about it.”
Now ranked fifth globally, Kirk is gearing up to represent Australia at the Hungarian Kickboxing World Cup in June, after first representing Australia in 2022 at the Junior World Championships.
She said she hoped to build off her previous success.
“This is a great opportunity for my career and I get to fight against the best in the world; it’s a great challenge,” she said.
Despite her victories, Kirk didn’t always think she would end up making it this far.
“When I first started, I never even saw myself in the ring,” she said.
“Representing Australia was something I never imagined would happen.”
“As a young girl, it shows that it doesn’t matter where you come from, you can still chase your dreams.”
But she couldn’t have made it this far, Kirk said, without her coach, Astro Rodrigues.
“I have always looked up to him as a father and as the one who has made all of what I have done possible,” she said.
“I wouldn’t be here today with this opportunity if not for his guidance.”
Kirk encouraged those interested in supporting her to donate to or share her GoFundMe.
“If you can, please donate to help me get to Hungary … any support would be greatly appreciated.”
To donate go to: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-me-represent-australia-again
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Originally published as NT Muay Thai: Taleisha Kirk to represent Australia at Hungary Kickboxing World Cup
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