THURSDAY, JANUARY 24th, 2013
MULTI TIME WORLD CHAMPION
Julie Kitchen
IKF
MUAY THAI RULES
SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT
WORLD
CHAMPION
Julie Kitchen
of Cornwall,
England
(47-10-1, 62kg, 5'10", 4-19-77, Nathan Kitchen)
Won her
IKF Pro World Title on May 9th, 2010 in
Cornwall, England's Fightsport Promotions / Touchgloves, "Fast &
Furious"
when she defeated Claire Haig by split decision, 50-47,
48-47, 48-49.
"Many people believe that Julie
is the best pound for pound female Muay Thai fighter of all time.
Incredibly,
she didn't start training until she was 24 years old."
The below article was so Great, we thought we would
re-post it here with FULL CREDIT to the Creators of It.
The Article and
Photos with it are From Awakening.com
Our 3rd Awakening Spotlight brings you Britain's Julie Kitchen. Where do we start with this one?
In the world of Muay Thai, Julie is as revered as a fighter can become. We consider her one of the most inspirational female martial artists of all time. She recently hung up her Muay Thai gloves after dominating the hearts and minds of fans for eleven years. We think it's only right that we take a minute to look back at her achievements and applaud the woman that has lovingly become known as The Queen of Muay Thai.
Her fight name was actually given to her by the fans. Some believe that Julie was named the Queen of Muay Thai because of her unprecedented fourteen world titles, or her two incredible twenty fight win streaks, or perhaps her impressive record of 47-9-1 after fighting the worlds very best opponents. While these achievements are indeed stately, her fight name was actually given to her for her demeanor and personality. Awakening worked with Julie for the best part of 2012 and we can confirm that the name is fitting. Julie caries herself with poise and regal femininity, with never a bad word to say about anyone – even when goaded into pre-fight trash talking – Julie responds with compliments and pleasantries.
Julie's Muay Thai legacy didn't begin until she was 24. She decided to start training to get fit, her father had lovingly mocked her for carrying extra weight after giving birth to twins. Incidentally, the twins; Amber and Allaya, are now in their early teens and young Muay Thai champions in their own right – all three girls are trained by husband and father Nathan. In the beginning, although Nathan trained fighters he was not keen for his wife to fight. Being a protective and loving husband, he had seen Julie cry during those first few training sessions after getting hit during sparring. Julie would take a break and go outside to cry, pull herself together and go back inside for more. It was the very idea that she knew people thought that she shouldn't fight that spurred her on to do so. Eventually Nathan accepted it and reluctantly arranged a local fight for her. She won. The moment she had her hand raised she was addicted to winning and wanted more. The rest, as they say, is history.
Most people consider Julie a natural, a term which she heartily disagrees with. Julie was always good at sport going right back to her school days, however both her and Nathan will tell you that it has nothing to do with any natural talent. Everything Julie has achieved has been from total commitment and intense hard work. Julie will tell you that anyone can achieve what she has if you simply put the work in.
What does life hold for Julie these days? She continues to influence females globally and indeed Muay Thai fighters in general by delivering seminars and public appearances. In April, representing Awakening, she flies to California for a seminar tour (contact her on info@touchgloves.co.uk for bookings). Of course, the seminars and appearances are only the half of it – she now has more time to focus on training champion Lucy Payne and more future champions. Most importantly of all, retiring has freed up a lot more family time for the Kitchens.
Lastly, this is probably a good time to mention that we are currently building Julie Kitchen's website. Working with the Kitchen's we have been able to uncover information that has previously been unknown and will be of interest to her fans. The website will have some treats! We will of course be shouting about it when it is launched in a month or two, so you won't miss it.
For an Awakening Spotlight, Julie Kitchen really is an ideal candidate. We're honored to have worked with someone who represents female martial artists so gracefully. Julie has inspired tens of thousands of ladies across the globe, and continues to do so. Raise your glass to the legacy of The Queen of Muay Thai.
Fight Records: 52-9-1
- Titles Won
- 2011 - Pride of Cornwall Award (The first ever female to win this award)
- 2011 - Fighters Hall of Fame / Best Female Martial Artist
- 2011 - WBC World Boxing Council MuayThai / Welterweight World Title
- 2010 - Backstreet Brawler & Top King / World Title, 63.5kg (1 defense)
- 2010 - IKF International Kickboxing Federation / World Super Lightweight Muay Thai Champion (60.1 Kg. - 62.2 Kg.)
- 2010 - ISKA International Sport Kickboxing Association / Fighter of the Year
- 2010 - WMC World MuayThai Council / World Title, 63kg (1 defense)
- 2009 - ISKA International Sport Kickboxing Association / Fighter of the Year
- 2009 - ISKA International Sport Kickboxing Association / World Title, -66kg
- 2009 - WPMF World Professional MuayThai Federation / World Title, 67kg
- 2009 - WPMF World Professional MuayThai Federation / World Title, 65kg
- 2008 - WIKBA Women's International Kickboxing Association / Intercontinental Title, 63kg
- 2008 - NMF/ITMF World Title, 65kg
- 2008 - ISKA International Sport Kickboxing Association / World Title, -64kg
- 2007 - Golden Belt European Title, 61.5kg
- 2007 - IMKO International MuayThai and Kickboxing Organization / European Title, 63kg
- 2006 - Capital Punishment / World Title, 61.5kg
- 2006 - WIKBA Women's International Kickboxing Association / World Title, 61.5kg (1 defense)
- 2005 - BMBC English Title, 60kg
- 2005 - WPKL World Professional Kickboxing League / British Title, 63kg
- 2005 - FIST British Title, 63kg (1 defense)
- 2005 - WKA World Kickboxing Association / British Title, 63kg
- 2005 - IKF International Kickboxing Federation / British Title, 63kg
- 2004 - BKK British Title, 63kg
- 2004 - WPKL World Professional Kickboxing League / British Title, 59kg
- Other Achievements
- The first British woman to win a WBC Title. One of Julie`s proudest moments
was winning a world title in Thailand on the King of Thailand`s birthday.
The bout was within the palace grounds in front of 20,000 spectators.
- The first British woman to win a WBC Title. One of Julie`s proudest moments
was winning a world title in Thailand on the King of Thailand`s birthday.
- Notes
- Julie has not only fought and beaten top fighters from fifteen different
countries between 2006-2012, she has also captured the crowds as a permanent
global fanbase.
She has appeared in five magazines across the globe, including European counties, the US and Australia.
- Julie has not only fought and beaten top fighters from fifteen different
countries between 2006-2012, she has also captured the crowds as a permanent
global fanbase.
- TV
- BBC1 Spotlight x4 (2009-2012)
- Enfusion Worldwide Sky (2011/2012 Host)
- Transworld Sports (2011), Be Your Own Boss (2012)
- Keven Moore Show (2012)
- Up Close With.. (2012)
- Dragons Dens (2012)
- Filmography
- The Shot (2012 Short)
- The Shot (2012 Short)
- Other
- Julie teaches Muay Thai with her husband at Touchgloves Gym in Cornwall,
UK. All of her achievements all the more impressive when considering that she is
a full time mother of twins (who are also Junior World Champions). She works
closely with schools as an ambassador for the "Shoot for the Stars Project",
and is also a pioneer of bringing Muay Thai into the school curriculum in her
area.
- Julie teaches Muay Thai with her husband at Touchgloves Gym in Cornwall,
UK. All of her achievements all the more impressive when considering that she is
a full time mother of twins (who are also Junior World Champions). She works
closely with schools as an ambassador for the "Shoot for the Stars Project",
and is also a pioneer of bringing Muay Thai into the school curriculum in her
area.
JULIE KITCHEN...
THE QUEEN OF MUAY THAI
Julie winning
her
IKF Pro World Title on May 9th, 2010 in
Cornwall, England's Fightsport Promotions / Touchgloves, "Fast &
Furious"
when she defeated Claire Haig by split decision, 50-47,
48-47, 48-49.
2005
IKF
AMATEUR CHAMPION
Julie Kitchen
of Hayle, Cornwall, England (5-4/0, 62kg, 5'10", 4-19-77) won
the
IKF Amateur Muay Thai Rules Super
Lightweight British Title on September
10th 2005 in Kent England
when she defeated Shelley Wilson of
Minotaurs by Unanimous decision.
"For so long
we've been taught to look outside of ourselves for truth, awareness, when in
fact, the true warrior internalizes this quest and looks within. Integrity,
honor, discipline and respect must be truly embraced before we can recognize it
in others. How the world perceives us is never as important as how we perceive
ourselves. The Nak Muay... holds true to the pillars of this graceful dance,
this exchange of will... and leads by example"
Don
McDaniels, Muay Thai in America
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