Sport

Boxes way to Thailand

SHE only started learning Muaythai Boxing last February and now Holy Saviour School Greenacre student Aria Challita has won selection to represent Australia at two championships in Thailand.

This followed the 11-year-old’s success winning gold at the Siam Cup Muaythai Tournament Oceania in Queensland in July where she took on an undefeated opponent and won on a TKO after just 51 seconds.
Excited to be representing Australia as well as her gym Nitrixx Fitness in Chullora, Aria will compete in the Sixth International Thai Martial Arts Games in Phuket, Thailand, in February and then at the Amazing WBC (World Boxing Council) Muaythai Festival in Bangkok, Thailand, in March.
In each tournament, she will be fighting for a WBC gold medal and her Nitrixx Coach Wahib Baki believes she has what it takes to go all the way.
“She is certainly talented and a real quick learner,” he said.
“She’s very strong for a female of her age and adapts well to any training challenges; she’s certainly got the potential to be world class.”
Mum Yeliz said the family was incredibly proud of Aria who trained very hard and deserved her success.
“If she does well in these tournaments, it is a great stepping stone to the World Championships which is her dream, with the nationals coming up first in December,” she said.
A real all-rounder, Aria was recently named the first female MOD Player of the Year by her rugby league club, Strathfield Raiders, and has been invited to trial for the State Oztag team.