Jorja Hersey hoping to shine at IFMA Youth World Championships

A Sunshine Coast Muay Thai fighter is full of confidence ahead of the Youth World Championships following a ‘dominant’ state title victory.

Muay Thai talent Jorja Hersey in action. Picture: Scottya

Sunshine Coast rising Muay Thai fighter Jorja Hersey has added another brutal victory to her resume as she prepares to take on the top junior fighters at the IFMA Youth World Championships in Turkey in the coming days.

The 16-year-old, who fights out of Sunshine Coast Thai Boxing Centre in Warana, recorded a unanimous victory over Niamh Jibson on August 12 and is now the current holder of the MTA QLD Super Lightweight Title.

She said the five round affair was tough but was extremely proud of her efforts.

Hersey will be joined by three of her local Sunshine Coast teammates when they depart for the Youth World Championships on September 26.

Sunshine Coast Muay Thai fighter Jorja Hersey in action. Picture: Scottya

The event will be held in Kemer, Turkey and runs from September 29 to October 8, featuring up to 2000 participants aged between 10 and 18 from more than 120 countries.

Hersey said she hoped to further her skills and inspire a new generation of female fighters.

“I want to inspire other women and girls to try, push their boundaries because anything is possible,” she said.

“I’m going to Turkey with the mission to come home with Gold and I know that my trainer, Joe Hilton knows what it takes and can push me to be the very best I can be.”

Sunshine Coast Muay Thai fighter Jorja Hersey with her coach Joe Hilton (left) and teammate Skylah Hamill. Picture: Scottya

Hilton said he was proud of Hersey’s performance and is looking forward to the upcoming championships.

“Her opponent had more credentials and had been fighting overseas but Jorja put forward a great fight and a great fight plan,” he said.

“She gets quite nervous pre-fight but once she gets in there she’s locked in so it was a dominant win and she’s world class.

“She’d be looking to bring home a medal this year at world champs, our other fighters Skylah Hamill has been a few times and is a three-time world champion, Josh Robson has been once before and then Lochlan Wallis will be competing for the first time.

“There’s 15 in the Australian team so for us to get four from the Sunshine Coast is incredible and I’m very excited to see how they go.”

Following the Youth World Championships the fighters will gear up for the Muay Thai Australia National Championships in December.

Originally published as Jorja Hersey hoping to shine at IFMA Youth World Championships