Kickboxer aims to improve on bronze

POWERHOUSE: Lou Fuller may only be slightly less than 45kg wringing wet, but rivals at the Muay Thai Amateur World Championships in Thailand next month need to take her deadly seriously. PHOTO/CONLEY

Nothing will stand in the way of pint-sized Wanganui kickboxer Lou Fuller and a podium finish at the International Federation of Muay Thai Amateur World Championships in Thailand next month.

Fuller has had just one crack in world class company winning bronze in the 45kg division at the IFMA world championships in Malaysia last year, and she is intent on improving one or two places next month in Thailand.

Fuller won her first fight at the worlds in Malaysia in May last year. She won a TKO first-round decision over Ayu Arynafa'izaazami (Malaysia) to claim the women's under-45kg bout in the strictly knockout competition.

The 1.5m tall Fuller then stepped into the ring for her second fight against Monruedee Saejao from Thailand, but was knocked out of contention.

Saejao went on to win gold and the world title in the weight division. Fuller ended her first international experience with a bronze at the worlds.

The English-born Wanganui YMCA furniture-making tutor gained automatic entry into the New Zealand team, with no other fighters available in her weight division, at the national championships last year.

Before leaving Wanganui for Malaysia, Fuller conceded she was an underdog at the world championships, but said she had changed her life to make the team to compete at such an event.

"I know what to expect now. I might have only won bronze last year, but it was a real honour to even climb into the ring with a world champion," Fuller said.

"I have only had one fight since the worlds last year and lost to a heavier and a lot taller fighter at a show called 'Honour' in Wellington this year. She was a pretty good fighter. The match went the full three rounds and I lost on points. It's difficult to find opponents my weight in New Zealand so I have to usually concede both weight and height, even in training.

"I feel I have really improved my skill level and fitness from last year and I now have three weeks serious training before flying out to Thailand on August 1. We go into a training camp on August 6-12 and then competition starts on August 13. The finals are on August 23."

The 33-year-old said she was blessed to be heading to the world championships in the home of Muay Thai and this year was especially significant with the Thai royal family hosting the event.

"Each of the royal family, including the king, are putting up trophies in each of the divisions and I am definitely pushing hard for a podium finish.

"I probably won't get many other opportunities like this again and I would love to have something to tell my grandchildren," Fuller said.

Fuller has raised about $2000 of the $5000 she needs for the trip and is hoping business houses, groups and individuals get behind her bid for a world title.

People can still donate to Lou Fuller's trip at givealittle.co.nz/cause/getloutothailand or through her fundraising page on facebook.