Leeds Muay Thai fighter Hannah Brady only took up the sport at 25 but is now preparing to defend her WBC featherweight world title in Perth, Western Australia, on 7th March. She’ll meet Australian champion Shannon Gardiner over five three-minute rounds.

“I prepare for my bouts with eight weeks of intense training, so that started on New Year’s Day. I keep fit all year round and am regularly training at Kiatphontip gym near the city centre. You could get the call anytime, but obviously going to Australia is a massive opportunity for me, especially as I took up the sport later in life,” joked Brady.

Brady grew up in Boston Spa and studied computer science at Leeds Metropolitan University, now Beckett. “I was always sporty. I played football but unfortunately never became a lioness. A work friend recommended that I try Muay Thai and I attended a beginner's course. I was soon hooked and found that I was no longer living just for the weekend. I train twice daily, once on Saturdays. I rest on Sundays.” Now 37, Brady finds “the training is equally demanding both physically and mentally. Thai boxing has improved my life making me a better person with better habits. I'm disciplined, and my work ethic has transferred to my life generally, including my career and relationships. Combat sports are essentially brutal, even violent. Yet paradoxically they improve people’s lives and create long-lasting friendships.”

Hannah Brady’s list of titles is impressive. She’s twice been WBC world champion, first winning in Perth in 2024 and defending it in Glasgow last April. She’s also an ISKA intercontinental champion and won her first international honours in Leeds in 2020 as an IMTF European champion.

Natasha Cummings and Ally Skye also train at Kiatphontip. “Combat sports are about improving mental as well as physical health,” said Cummings, 37, a qualified paramedic from Moortown. “I’ve been involved in sport all my life and have previous experience in kickboxing and more recently Muay Thai. ‘I’ve represented England twice in the WKC kickboxing World Championships, winning three golds. I’m now ranked 8th in the UK at 61kg but hoping to climb those rankings. Gyms are communities where mutual support is paramount. Participation in Muay Thai empowers women, as the focus is on what we do with our bodies. Not how we appear.”

Originally from Slough, thirty-three-year-old Ally started training at Kiatphontip in 2021. She had her first competitive bout in 2024, and now after five contests, she finds herself seventh in the UK 55kg rankings. A charity community organiser, Ally stated that “Muay Thai has taught me discipline, patience, and a resilience I carry into every part of my life. The best thing is the community – we really lift each other up. I’ve made such strong friendships in the gym with people I wouldn’t have met in daily life. I’m keen for more women to know that these spaces are for us too. I wasn’t confident in sparring when I first joined, and now I’m stepping into the ring. Muay Thai has shown me I’m capable of so much more than I ever thought. For any girl or lady thinking of giving it a go, this could be your experience too.”

Thirteen-year-old Bradford schoolgirl Elisa Costin is more than just giving it a go. “I encouraged her to choose a sport to help her keep fit about two years ago,” said dad Andrei. “Elisa was also shy. Everyone at Kiatphontip, without exception and irrespective of status, has welcomed Elisa and shown kindness as she’s developed. Elisa feels part of one big family.”

“As a father of a teenage girl, I’m adamant that combat sports should welcome female participants as much as males. It’s vital that girls have role models who show how hard work and dedication pay off. Elisa has already competed in a few shows; she’s got a few more coming up, loves every minute of it, and feels comfortable and happy being in the ring, but the sport has also helped her sleep better. It’s built her self-confidence as she better trusts her personal abilities. Don’t buy your children gadgets at Xmas; buy a gym membership instead. At Kiatphontip’s.”

Maria Chu and her brother Simon established the gym in 2009 with Maria’s husband, Jompop Kiatphontip, as head coach. “We’ve built a very welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone who trains with us,” said Maria. We arrange ladies-only 1-to-1 sessions with an experienced female coach. These private sessions are great for ladies who prefer a more personal and comfortable introduction to Muay Thai allowing them to learn the basics at their own pace. Girls like Elisa Costin and Hannah Pashley have great potential.”

Hannah Brady is grateful to her existing sponsors: @boonsportofficial, @organic_relief_cbd, @acutabove.combat, @nat_pt_robinson, Physio & Sports Injury Clinic LS15,

B&K Motors Leeds and Pure Retirement. New potential sponsors can contact her via e-mail brady1063@hotmail.com or Instagram @hannah_brady_kpt. Natasha Cummings is @tashkickboxergirl on Instagram and Ally Skye is @allyskie.

Kiatphontip Gym enjoys an internationally respected reputation with people travelling from afar to develop their skills. E-mail info@muaythai-kiatphontip.co.uk or call 07547 000 091 for further information.