At Powerplay 40 Chris Bradford entered a contest that most punters are referring to as the biggest rematch of the year and that’s crazy to think given we have only just hit March. Even though the year will no doubt produce some other cracker contests, Bradford v Boobyer II has the ingredients to be one of the all time greats.

First, back to Powerplay 39, the initial epic contest between these two warriors wasn’t even meant to be. However as fate would have it, Chris’s original opponent was pulled at literally the final hour and Joe stepped up. It’s a gutsy move to accept a new opponent with basically no time to prepare; however it was a decision that Chris did not hesitate to make:

“I wasn’t really to fussed with the change and the record of his, I have a job to do and I take it seriously. It’s the same as every other time I step into the ring. I’ll fight anyone they put in front of me, no matter how big a record, how big an opponent, how big of a name…
I’ll… fight… anyone”

True to his mantra, Chris entered the unknown like he has some many times before and confronted the challenges that presented themselves. He’s new opponent had a different style, different stance, different approach; none of it really mattered at the end of the day. Whether it was 8 weeks notice or 24 hours notice Chris approaches the contest as only a true professional does:

“To be perfectly honest I had three days notice on the change. The biggest thing was going from a southpaw to an orthodox fighter and the changes I have to make considering I’ve been training for so long for a southpaw. Yet a fight is a fight, and if you’re experienced, you should have the ability not only physically, but also mentally also to make the changes. Who knows when you will get a phone call for a big stage fight at late notice! A challenge is something I love and keeps the blood flowing rapidly through my veins”

Now the short notice opponent change was difficult for Chris, and on the other foot taking a fight on a couple days notice was incredibly difficult for Joe. Having said that, Joe really had nothing to lose going into the first fight given the circumstances that presented themselves, that in itself can put extra pressure on Chris to get the job done:

“None whatsoever [extra pressure], with him almost having double my fights, there was no pressure on me whatsoever….  everything to gain and nothing to loose. One thing I love about this, it’s the rush of an underdog. You should loose on paper, all the stats are against you, until you see in person the power of the underdogs bite!”

So the circumstances surrounding the first fight have been discussed in great length, and when the dust settled and crowd got their collective breaths back, Chris was awarded a much-deserved Unanimous Decision victory. From the commentary position Chris looked clinical; he picked his shots well, attacked the body and controlled the fight. Chris himself however was a far harsher critic:

“7/10 to be honest… I won’t go into what I wasn’t happy about cause we are fighting again, he’s tough and strong for sure, but I’ll say this…. AK has some new tools, some new angles and some new drive to finish this fight, properly”

Anyone who read the piece pertaining to Joe will no doubt recall Joe’s summation of the body shots that Chris delivered on that faithful evening. From this writers perspective, words like pinpoint and brutal immediately come to mind, and the strategic nature was also recognised given the vulnerable state of his opponents preparation and associated gas tank. Chris epitomises what it is to be a strategic fighter, and the tactics at Powerplay 39 underpin that:

“I feel I have a good knowledge and ability to adjust in a fight. My mind is always comfortable with being hurt at any one time, so it helps me compute situations quicker in real time and not panic. I just seen an opening and made it a target in the muscle memory bank. They where big shots for sure and Joe did well to get up from them, however I’m even stronger now so who knows what will happen”

The power and positioning of the body shots forced Joe to the canvas on multiple occasions, and to the amazement of those in attendance Joe was able to rise on every occasion. Although an impressive victory at the end of the day, Chris was unable to land the finishing blow and put Joe away. Even for such a consummate professional, this had to be frustrating:

“Yes a little upset to be honest, I’m angry at myself, but at the same time I won’t take away his heart and strength to get back up. I would have done the same if it was reversed, and same as he would, he’d be upset that I didn’t execute a plan to finish it”

No highlight reel finish, but a win is a win and after 5 gruelling rounds Chris’s hand was raised much to the appreciation of the respectful yet ruckus crowd in attendance. Given the all time great heavyweight contest that he’d just participated in, the feeling was very satisfying for Chris:

“I don’t feel there was any ruckus, just his support crew, who where awesome and loud in the crowd, just cheering him for his valued effort in taking the fight. In my head, never write me off, never think I’m done, never think I can’t win… I’ve proven people wrong before and I’m always a chance to do it again”

On March 23 Chris will again stand opposed to Joe in a rematch that has the collective mouths of combat sports fans watering. Given the very different circumstances preceding this fight, Chris is expecting a very different opponent:

“Joe will be fitter and stronger; he will feel more confident. That’s good for the crowd and paying spectators…I’ve been working hard on new ideas, the legend Sam Greco has been working with me a little also, Tom Smith my pad holder has me tweaked on the pads, so the package I deliver on the night will be new, strong and definitely damaging”

Given on this occasion Chris has had plenty of time to prepare for the fact that Joe will be standing opposite him in the ring, he’ll also have the opportunity to actually prepare for the man that he’ll face. That in itself will provide Chris with the opportunity to change things up a little and ensure he’s ready to go come March 23:

“Last time we fought, for the whole 8 week fight camp, I sparred 2 times. This time I’ll have a lot more sparring under my belt and being active time in the ring. Injury is reasonably low so far, so I am going to be well prepared for this one!”

Adding even a little more spice to this one (as if it needed it) is that fact that a World Title will be on the line and should Chris get the job done as he plans he’ll earn the right to have that belt draped over this shoulder. The title would be oh so sweet, but when it’s all said and done Chris fights for so much more:

Belts are great, and being titled those things as champions are a great thing and very good on a resume. 
Yet, for me, it’s bigger…. 
I’m a fighter, my honor and reputation of being a fighter and someone who fights anyone, is something I value so highly because of its truth. 
I didn’t have a Mum or Dad running me to training every day, I didn’t have a role model to look at or up to. I was brought into fighting at an early age, and not inside the ring. My purpose was all on me. 
All I have now and what I have built, is from my desire to fight, my hunger for stability in my life though fighting professionally, and respect when you meet me to know I’m actually a nice and gentle human. My drive and hunger brought me good fortune, which was then topped of successfully and ever thankfully, by people who stuck by me and believed in me to this day, and didn’t walk out on me in hard times”

“World champion is great! 
Yet…. Being called a humble bloke, a good fighter and nice person, is even better” 
#StandTallWalkForward 
AK

Thank you to those that support me in my professional fight career, and stand by me.

 ‘Aaron McCurdy Concreting’
‘Your Style Rendering’
‘JTM Electrical”’
‘Bloom Venue’
‘Scope Australia’
‘Strong lift wear’
‘Culture Kings’
‘Versatile Windows’
‘IL Matto Pizza & Bar’
‘Breakwater Shed Cafe’
‘Wise Monkey Tattoos’’
‘Hotondo Homes’
‘Spartan Supplements’

Article by Josh Warner

Under some genuinely unexpected circumstances, the clash between Joe Boobyer and Chris Bradford back at Powerplay 39 produced arguably one of the best Full Thai Rules Heavyweight fights this Country has seen. Now, with a full training camp, Joe and Chris are set to lock horns again this time with a World Title on the line.

Joe’s journey to this rematch, in fact his journey through martial arts in general is full of trials, tribulations and of course huge amounts of success. Most would not understand nor appreciate how tough it actually is to make it in this sport, and Joe’s journey is testament to that:

“I started out boxing at age 14, and was all about that until I hit the age where we’d go out and party at bars and clubs, that cost me about a year but then I got back to training when a friend started MMA and I went along for a session, after a handful of amateur MMA fights and padded stand up fights it was clear I enjoyed striking more! Focusing on Muay Thai and kickboxing I had a few more fights in England before heading off to Thailand in 2011 for a six month training holiday, where I had a string of successful performances and had my first taste of the big stage fighting in a stadium in China in front of thousands of people! After arriving back in England I got a message from one of the guys I met on that trip offering me a sponsorship at a gym he and a friend had taken over, so I flew back and spent the next few years fighting full time. The biggest challenge was always finances; the sport is tough and pays peanuts, especially in Thailand. I lived in the gym with the other fighters and we’d literally be fighting to eat. The benefits of that lifestyle were the solid team we built and the approach to fighting. When you train full time most of your fights will be on a week’s notice, and you often don’t know who you’ll be fighting until you arrive at the stadium. I won a world title at heavyweight in Bangkok which was pretty cool, but even in the local stadium I’ve fought world champions for 6,000 baht ($260aud). I think my ultimate accomplishment would be winning 11 straight fights with the 11th being for the title in Bangkok, or on a personal note training in Thailand at a gym where Steve Mckinnon was a special guest and I was just a kid training, only to fight him years later. Kind of surreal!”

With much hype pertaining to Chris Bradford’s fight at Powerplay 39, his Thai opponent pulled the pin at the last minute and literally on a days notice, Joe stepped up and took the fight. With the utmost respect to Joe, one must ponder why anyone would want to get in the ring with Chris period let alone on a days notice, but from Joe’s perspective the answer was simple… fighters fight! Having said that, the months prior to Powerplay 39 were less than ideal:

“It had been a pretty rough couple of months for me! Those who don’t know I spent a couple of weeks in jail in Bangkok in a small cell shoulder to shoulder with 121 other people eating boiled cucumber and rice twice a day, so I had a fair amount of uncertainty going forward after that! Back to England to see the family and friends, then the long trip back here to Melbourne. When Demi called and told me they needed somebody I called a couple of friends to see if they were available, they weren’t. ‘I’m a fighter, and fighters fight’ I said to myself.”

To put is simply, Joe exhibited ‘testicular fortitude’ incomparable to most, however when the dust settled, he still had to fight Chris on a days notice. No time for training camps; no time for game plans and no time for mental preparation, however strangely enough the thought of the unknown was not that foreign to Joe:

“I’ve fought almost all of my career in Asia, where you rarely know your opponent before fight night, you just train to fight, go out and do what you do. I was a scrappy kid too, if somebody started a fight with me in the street I wouldn’t try to make a plan of attack, there would just be a fight. That mindset doesn’t leave you, if you don’t believe you can beat anybody in the world you have no business fighting”

The factors going against Joe were numerous and have been discussed in great detail, but none the less Joe stepped in and literally fought his heart out for 5 of the most entertaining rounds in the sports history. From the commentary position this writer called it the best fight I have called across any martial arts discipline, and I suggest many of the fans in attendance agreed. Upon reflection, Joe enjoyed the ‘good ol’ scrap:

“It was fun! I fought scrappy and sloppy but it was entertaining, I landed some good shots in the exchanges and went 5 very long rounds haha, felt like the good old days just punching on because you enjoy it”

As Joe mentioned he landed some very clean shots on Chris, as did Chris on Joe. The body shots landed by Chris were on another level and as a result Joe found himself on the canvas on a few occasions. Anyone who has had the infamous pleasure of taking a flush body shot will tell you how badly it hurts, something that is not dissimilar to Joe’s experience:

“Ever been hit in the liver? You don’t know if you’re gonna be sick or sh#t yourself”

Thankfully on that faithful evening Joe did neither! What he did instead was get up and continue to ‘punch on’ as he so delicately put it. Not a single person in the building would have blamed Joe for staying down given the circumstances at hand, however clearly this is not in Joe’s DNA. So why did Joe continue to get up…?

“Just to see if I could! Nah, I’ve knocked bigger guys out with single shots before, so I always know I’m one shot away from winning, all I have to do is land one clean … that and coach Toohey in my corner screaming at me hahaha”

The ‘extra man’ in a fighter’s corner is often underestimated and underappreciated. Although Joe didn’t have a huge amount of direct support on the night as his quick inclusion left him no real ability to get his friends to come along, he won a lot of fans based purely on the heart he demonstrated over 5 rounds. The noise was deafening, and although hurting, Joe was no doubt lifted by the support he received:

“They were awesome! Given I was out drinking beers with my Mrs. the night before, I hadn’t sold many tickets so all the support I got was won on the night! The crowd really do make a difference”

The epic contest at Powerplay 39 will forever be etched in history, however now Joe must look ahead to Powerplay 40 where he will again stand opposed to Chis Bradford. This time around however the preparation and planning will be different, hell Joe might even get a few crunches in:

“I hadn’t trained in months before the first one and with the circumstances leading up to it I’d been malnourished, unconditioned, then on the pi$s with mates after the Thailand “adventure” was over. I’ve done a few sit ups this time”

Joe’s preparation will occur at one of the premier martial arts gyms in the Country under the guidance genuine Muay Thai royalty. With a gamut of excellent sparring partners and world-class coaches, Joe will no doubt enter the ring on this occasion in the best condition possible:

“I’m training out of Absolute MMA with a strong stable of fighters from 80kg state and national champs/former champs up to 110kg full time pro’s. I have some good guys here under the guidance of Toohey, Tao and Simon”

As each day passes, this epic contest gets closer and closer and with that comes an opportunity for redemption. In addition to evening the score, should Joe bring home the chocolates he’ll also earn the right to be called a World Champion. Having a title strapped around his waist would be a perfect start to what Joe hopes will be a prosperous year:

“Belts are always cool, now I’m in the process of moving to Australia it’s a great way to kick things off!”

Article by Josh Warner

Coming off an emphatic victory at Powerplay 39, the wave of momentum that Melbourne’s Aaron Goodson continues to ride now better represents a tidal-wave of momentum. The tidal-wave however is going to run straight into a concrete wall come Powerplay 40 when Aaron stands opposed to kickboxing sensation and multiple time World Champion Steve Moxon. Only time will tell if the tidal-wave will be strong enough to break through the concrete and continue on its devastating path.

But first back to Powerplay 39 where Aaron took on the unquestionably durable Tyson Turner. Aaron’s victory on that evening can be described as nothing less than decisive and although satisfied, Aaron was definitely complimentary as to the toughness of his opponent:

“Tyson Turner was one tough fighter! I didn’t find him hard to fight he just had very hard head…”

Based on Tyson’s toughness, Aaron was unable to find the finish albeit he threw everything at Tyson, including the kitchen sink, in order to do so. For those who watched Aaron apply his craft, it was clear that he controlled the centre of the ring and diversified his combinations leaving Tyson guessing all fight; a perfectly executed game plan it would seem:

“My plan was to let him feel my power & take control from there and I did just that”

Ever since that victory, Tyson has been carefully rejuvenating his body in preparation for whatever challenge presents itself next. A consummate professional, Aaron is all too aware that taking care of his body post fight is the initial key to success in the next, even if it means confronting the torturous ice bath over and over again:

“Yes, I love an ice bath! Recovery & rest is just as important as training! I try to have an ice bath after every intense session”

The next test for Aaron however will be far more intense than any ice bath he has experienced in the past, and that test will come in the form of Steve Moxon. Giving up a wealth of experience Aaron will have to overcome a multitude of barriers if he is to conquer the mountainous challenge ahead:

“Steve’s had nearly triple the amount of fights I’ve had. His fought some of the biggest names on the planet… this will be a huge step up for me but at the same time it’s time to step up and start fighting the big guns and for a world title it’s even greater”

Aaron’s run of impressive victories coupled with some spectacular performances has rendered him one of the brightest prospects in the sport. Many observers, including this writer, would share that perception however it’s probably safe to say that Steve doesn’t agree. In fact, Steve feels that Aaron may be a bright prospect in Nth Melbourne but that’s it, a comment that Aaron has really brushed off:

“Lol I respect Steve, I actually used to look up to Steve and thought really high of him. I’m looking forward to fighting Steve; I’m a fighter, I’m here to fight this is what I do. I believe I have what it takes to beat him and take my fighting to another level”

Even though Aaron has been through numerous fight camps, preparing for a fighter as experienced as Steve may require him to slightly adjust some elements so as to ensure he covers all bases and ticks all the boxes. These adjustments however will remain within the inner sanctum until the plan is implemented on fight night:

“I have always took my fights serious but I have tweaked a few things this time round”

This particular fight camp of which will have such a huge influence on the outcome of the fight, will be overseen by familiar faces whom for a long time have assisted Aaron to ensure he is physically and mentally prepared for whatever Steve brings on fight night:

“I have a great camp & an awesome bunch supporting me and pushing me through some elite training & different training methods. My key coaches for this fight will be my main coach Joe Nader, my strength & conditioning coaches Ned Vrselja & Judd Reid; sparring partner & UFC champion Jake Mathews & my stable brothers from Powerplay Fight Club”

Both combatants encompass an arsenal of weapons to which they each believe will be the defining factor in this fight as it applies to earning a colossal ‘W’. In Aaron’s case, he believes his power will be the difference; power that will inevitably break Steve:

“[I’ll] keep him at range & [my] power, he’s going to feel my power that’s for sure”

Regardless of the stage and status of one’s career, a world title is a big deal and brings with it validation that you are one of the very best in the sport. The winner of this much anticipated contest will earn the right to have that title draped over their shoulder, and for Aaron that is something that would be a true honour:

“Yeah for sure a world title is huge it means a lot! Another stepping stone to being up there with the big names & that would be an honour. Can’t wait for March 23!!

“Also a Big shout out to my major sponsors:”

• NED & ANTON – high rise carpentry
• JUDD REID – chikara martial arts academy 
• MICHELLE REEVES – (MRT) body transformations
• JACK & JOHN MCLEAN – Mclean civil
• ROB – Westside sealants
• IVAN – Parkside construction
• GLEN – mask excavations

Article by Josh Warner

At Powerplay 40 on March 23 two of the very best K1 fighters in the world will battle it out with a World Title on the line! On this faithful evening Steve Moxon will face Aaron Goodson in a bout that has fight of the year written all over it.

A talented athlete, Steve’s journey to kickboxing supremacy started in a small country town where he first held a footy and cricket ball long before ever lacing up a pair of gloves. Who would have thought that stepping foot in a tiny gym would lead to a potential hall of fame career?

“I started kickboxing when I was 18 years old out of a small gym in a shed. This was purely to try something different and for fitness. Before that, I didn’t do any martial arts. In Ballan where I grew up I played Football and Cricket as that’s what everyone did growing up in a small country town”

After only a short period, Steve’s hunger for the sport rapidly developed and before he knew it he was sparing and immersing himself in opportunities in which to prove his worth. Training with and competing against some of the best fighters in the world at the time allowed Steve to confirm in his own mind that he was just as good as them and belonged in the land of kickboxing giants:

“When I started kickboxing, the classes were just on each Monday and Wednesday night. I was really enjoying the training and watching the couple of fighters in the gym training extra hard. I began sparring and got beat up every session, but I kept coming back for more. I kept losing weight and was getting better and better each week. I got offered by my coach if I wanted to fight (after just 8 months of training) which I didn’t hesitate to say yes!”

“I was a promoters dream as I would bring a whole town of support to each fight. I won my first fight, loved it and kept going from there. After a few fights I realised that the better the opponent, there was an opportunity to make a couple of hundred Dollars. So I wanted to take on the best. I went 16 fights undefeated, with my first loss coming on a Dutch reality TV show that I got selected to fight on and represent Australia in Koh Samui Thailand called Enfusion Fight Series 2010”

“Although I lost the fight against Pasi Lukana from Finland with 75 fights experience, I was on the show and got to witness the best fighters in the world such as K1 Champ Gago Drago, Thai Champ Pugansuk, and Italian champ Armen Petrosian. I realised that these guys are the best fighters in the world, they trained just like me, got nervous just like me and I could hang with the big boys in the fight world”

Every great fighter inevitably has an experienced coach and/or mentor who provides the guiding light and influence required to compete and prosper at the highest level. In Steve’s case, relocating to Sydney allowed him to work with one of the biggest icons in Australian combat sports:

“In 2009 I moved to Sydney to further my fight career and train with some of the best fighters in the country such as The Chief Peter Graham. A multiple Heavy weight World Champion of Karate, Kickboxing and MMA, he taught me to take every opportunity, never say no to a fight and to always be professional”

The next chapter in Steve Moxon’s story will see him take on Aaron Goodson at 77kg with a World Title on the line. Although quite a bit heavier than what Steve would usually compete, he is comfortable being the ‘smaller’ fighter and believes his experience and wisdom will assist him to navigate past a very dangerous opponent:

“Aaron is a very good kickboxer, he has great technique and has had a lot of fights. I am a 70kg to 72kg fighter and was the smallest fighter on the world scene behind Mike Zambidis. I have taken this fight at 77kgs against a good fighter in Aaron, but I always believe that I have the knowledge and experience to win”   

After an array of impressive finishes, including a one sided drubbing back at Powerplay 39, Aaron is on a genuine tear right now and is rightfully considered one of the hottest prospects in the sport. Well this may be the opinion of some including this writer, however it is definitely not the opinion of Steve Moxon:

“Is he? He is one of the hottest prospects in the North Melbourne Kickboxing scene, that’s about all”

Clearly not intimidated nor impressed by his opponent, the wave of momentum Aaron is currently riding is not a consideration to Steve who feels as though he’ll find the holes in Aaron’s game and exploit them accordingly. So as far as Steve’s plan for Aaron goes, his mindset is simple:

“Everyone is hittable!”

Powerplay 40 is now a mere 7 weeks away and as such Steve is in full preparation mode so as to ensure he is in peak physical condition to launch an aggressive attack on his opponent once that bell sounds. Steve relies on familiar surroundings as well as an element of diversity as it applies to his training camps:

“I am training out of my gym that I own in Geelong – The Training Room Geelong, I have some great young fighters in there to help me out. And on weekends I travel to different gyms for some extra training and sparring”

A fighter’s corner is a pivotal element of success and as such those people are often trusted advisors, mentors and practitioners able to share wisdom. In Steve’s case, he has all of these boxes ticked across the board:

“In my corner will be – My #1 coach, training partner, mentor and mother of our son (Tyson), is my amazing girlfriend Lena. I will have Dave Ashmore in my corner for this fight for his fight mind and he has been by my side when I have fought all over the world on the big shows. I will also have my right hand man at my gym James; who helps me out with pad work, extra conditioning and sparring. He is so fit, so I have to work hard to just keep up each day”

World Title opportunities don’t come around every day, and although Steve has been lucky enough to win multiple World Titles along the journey he is buoyed and excited by the prospect of having another strap placed around his waist:

“World titles for me are a great tool to market my gym better and to boost my profile. This adds some more prestige to the already great fight it will be”.

Article by Josh Warner

At upcoming Powerplay 39, Kim-Alina Baldacchino will step back into the ring and look to avenge a questionable defeat when she throws down with the hard hitting Jacinta Paskalidis. The road back to the Powerplay ring has been wrought with challenges and what sometimes seemed insurmountable barriers, however Kim-Alina is back and ready to do what she loves:

“I love the mental and physical challenges that kickboxing has. I love how I am continually learning and pushing my limits. I love being able to put all my practice into play in the ring”

In what has been an exciting career thus far, Kim-Alina has fought on Powerplay 3 times and continues to enjoy the learning experience one achieves when fighting on the premier K1 promotion in the Country. From Kim-Alina’s perspective, the fourth iteration will be no different:

“It will be my 4th fight on Powerplay I always gain lots of experience fighting on Australia’s leading K1 show” 

Kim-Alina’s road back to Powerplay commenced earlier this year when she had the distinct honour of competing in front of the one and only Arnold Schwarzenegger. Although Arnie is an unquestionable presence, he was no distraction to Kim-Alina who simply went about her business and got the job done:

“After 3 years out of the ring it was great to be back in there. I was there to do a job and it didn’t make me fight any different with having him there ringside my focus was on one thing and that was my opponent” 

Up next is a familiar opponent in the form of Jacinta Paskalidis. Kim-Alina and Jacinta have been opponents turned training partners turned opponents again which is somewhat of a unique blend. Regardless of the history, come fight night Jacinta is simply another opponent standing in the way of Kim-Alina achieving her ultimate goals:

“In the past it was such a struggle finding opponents so to be matched again I’m happy. And our last fight a few years back went her way for some reason so will be good to avenge that loss. We have sparred not long back as she helped me prepare for the last fight so there is no bad blood between us. She is just another opponent standing in my way so it’s all business on the night”

Given the relationship between the combatants this rematch is not inclusive of the stereotypical bad blood that rematches can typically produce; but alas that won’t stop Kim-Alina from trying to put her opponent away in highlight reel fashion:

“No bad blood just bad intentions lol”

Based on the history that these two have, one may ponder the fact that they would know each other’s games incredibly well. Often, thinking too much about your opponent’s strengths or game plan can deter from the real focus which is oneself. Given Kim-Alina’s experience however, she is not wasting any time or energy thinking about what strengths Jacinta will bring to the ring on November 24:

“She will bring all of them, I’m not bothered what she brings I just listen to what my coaches ask of me”

As Kim-Alina prepares for this important rematch, she will do so in familiar territory which familiar faces pushing her to her limits. Most wouldn’t understand nor appreciate the grind a fighter must go through in preparation for fight night; the juggling act balancing prep with the normalities of life can often be more difficult than the fight itself:

“I will be training out of The 44 Gym with my husband Steven Baldacchino and a lot of my training will be done in Melbourne at North Melbourne Boxing Gym with Sam Greco. A typical day for me is up at 4:30am train then off to work at my full time job and then travel 2-2.5hrs one way to training in Melbourne. I travel to Melbourne 3-4 times per week”

As Kim-Alina mentioned, her husband and fellow martial arts standout Steve Baldacchino is a critical part of her team at both a personal and professional level. Steve’s knowledge of the sport ensures he performs critical functions as it pertains to coaching, training and motivating. His general presence also provides a sense of calm when engaged in battle:

“Steve is my best training partner. It’s great to train with him, we feed off one another and his always there for me. He always motivates and pushes me. It’s great to have him in my corner as he knows me best”

With all of the intricate elements coming together Kim-Alina is confident she has the ultimate recipe for success which will inevitably bring her the redemption filled ‘W’ at Powerplay 39. Above all the biggest advantage Kim-Alina feels she will have is quite simple:

“Having the best team and support in my corner”

So now the K1 community will eagerly await this much anticipated showdown and if Kim-Alina has anything to say about it, it’s going to be one hell of a fight:

“It’s going to be packed full action with the awesome match ups to finish off the year” 

Article by Josh Warner