Ottawa Muay Thai fighter brings home championship belt
After knocking out her opponent in the fourth round, Ottawa’s Tayler Kelly is the World Boxing Council (WBC) Muay Thai Canadian amateur champion – a milestone in the fighter’s young career.
“This one was a big deal for me,” said Kelly. “I didn't go out with much expectations, but I'm glad that I could come out with the win.”
The 24-year-old hasn't been competing for very long, first getting into the sport in 2021.
“I started because I got very out of shape in the pandemic, so I started as a way to whip myself back into shape,” she said. “Then one weekend I was like, yeah, I want to put my skills to the test.”
Originating in Thailand, Muay Thai is a form of martial arts consisting of punches, kicks and knee and elbow strikes. It’s a sport many in Ottawa use as a form of exercise.
“In my 20 years in the sport, I’ve seen it grow exponentially,” said Sacha Leonard-Hajizi. He is Kelly's trainer and the owner of Ottawa Fight and Fitness. He says that interest includes a spike in females getting involved in the typically male-dominated sport.
“I feel like the barriers are broken down and more females are realizing the benefits of training and just having that as a part of their life,” said Leonard-Hajizi.
On any given day, you'll find Kelly hitting the pads. She hopes to turn pro and compete as a member of the International Federation of Muay Thai Associations.
“I just love the competition and, you know, showing my hard work,” she said. “That would be a really cool opportunity to represent Team Canada.”
For now, she's focused on her upcoming fights.
“I have nationals at the tournament in Niagara Falls at the end of April. And then here in Ottawa, there is an event at the Aviation Museum. It's going to be a women's only event. And, hopefully I'll be fighting on that June 1.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ottawa driver who appeared to be racing another vehicle on Highway 416 facing charges
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says an Ottawa driver is facing charges after being caught going 187 km/h on Highway 416.
Helicopter carrying Iran's hard-line president apparently crashes in foggy, mountainous region
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country's foreign minister and other officials apparently crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran on Sunday, sparking a massive rescue operation in a fog-shrouded forest as the public was urged to pray.
Canadian immigration asks medical worker fleeing Gaza if he treated Hamas fighters
Lawyers are questioning Canada’s approach to screening visa applications for people in Gaza with extended family in Canada after one applicant, a medical worker, was asked whether he had treated members of Hamas.
4 homes lost due to wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C.
A wildfire burning near Fort Nelson, B.C., completely destroyed four homes and damaged six more properties, according to an update from the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
BREAKING NEWS 'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
French security forces work to regain control of airport highway in violence-scorched New Caledonia
Using armoured vehicles and backhoes to shove aside charred barricades, French security forces worked Sunday to retake control of the highway to the international airport in violence-scorched New Caledonia, shuttered because of deadly unrest wracking the French Pacific archipelago where indigenous people have long sought independence from France.
Diddy admits beating ex-girlfriend Cassie, says he's sorry, calls his actions 'inexcusable'
Sean 'Diddy' Combs admitted Sunday that he beat his ex-girlfriend in a hotel hallway in 2016 after CNN released video of the attack, saying in a video apology he was 'truly sorry' and his actions were 'inexcusable.'