Hard work and dedication pay off

By Keer Moriarty

Canungra Muay Thai fighter Asiya Hickey is the new WKBF South Pacific Flyweight Champion.

Hickey won the title in a hard fought match over five rounds against Ashley Nesbitt from New Zealand.

Coach David Torrens of Canungra Muay Thai said the match, held at Bracken Ridge Indoor Sports Centre on 11 March, was very close but 15 year old Asiya found the extra bit of strength and determination to come out in the last round and dominate.

Torrens praised Hickey’s dedication to the sport, saying her dedication and consistent training has paid off.

“She trains every day, every day since she started training with me at eight years of age,” he said.

“She trains three days with me then she spars with Kimmy (Townsend) two days a week.”

Hickey said she knew she had won at the end of the fight and is looking forward to her next fight.

She enjoys exercising and runs four kilometres a day before training at the Canungra Muay Thai gym for two hours.

She often trains with 34 year old sparring partner, Kim Townsend.

Asiya’s mother, Jo Hickey thanked Torrens for the time he spends training fighters at the gym, crediting his encouragement and consistent training methods for Asiya’s love of the sport and success.

Torrens believes Asiya still has room for im provement and is looking for an Australian title for Asiya’s next fight.