Thai boxing champ inspires Morley students
Sky Sports Athlete Mentor and Thai Boxing Champion Rachale MacKenzie visiting the school and teaching some of the pupils some moves. Address: Morley Academy, Fountain Street, Morley Pictured L/R: Tom Raine, James Sayers, Phoebe Lawrence and Kate Gledhill
PUPILS at The Morley Academy were treated to an inspirational workshop from a world champion on Monday.
Rachael MacKenzie may not be a household name but she had earned respect in the world of Thai Boxing since taking up the sport in 2000.
She became the first European Woman to compete in traditional bare-knuckle Thai-Boxing in Thailand and the first woman to fight under Full Muay-Thai Rules in the UK.
Within just six years she fought her way to the top of the women’s world rankings in two weight categories.
Throughout her Thai boxing career Rachael has had to overcome prejudice from people who do not believe women should compete in contact sports but her success and perseverance has helped improve the profile of, and opportunities for, female Thai boxers.
Now in her fourth year as a Sky Sports Athlete Mentor, Rachael said: “My role as an Athlete Mentor has enabled me to inspire and motivate young people across the UK to be the best they can be.
“The young people I meet are so inspiring for me. It is amazing to see so much enthusiasm and desire to achieve.
“By learning new skills and disciplines that they can apply to all aspects of life, today’s youngsters can really strive to achieve all of their aspirations.”
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Weather for Leeds,Yorkshire
Tuesday 18 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 22 C
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Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
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