THE RING LEADERS

Story by Sarah Szabo

From "The West Magazine" (July 20, 2002 Page 20)

Perth women are embracing traditionally male combat sport,

forcing men to share the boxing ring and the martial arts mat.

The heavy slap of gloved first pummelling leather and patpat of feet skipping rope make up the soundtrack many prize fighting dreams. Contenders come in many sizes from flyweight to heavyweight but, increasingly, the shadow boxers aiming jabs and hooks at their mirrored reflections are female.

STEPHYNEE BOUQUET 's foot connects sharply with her trainer's Practice pad, closely followed by a punch at head height and a knee into his midriff padding. "Boys seem to think that girls can't fight," she says, arching another barefoot kick. Since winning and defending the title of Australian Featherweight Muay Thai Kickboxing Champion in 2000 and last year, challenges from incredulous peers have become more subdued. The 15-year-old has 10 wins and 2 losses on her fight card against opponents up to twice her age. She is due to defend her title again in October. She has a reputation for being able to take a hit and come back fighting.

"I've never been seriously heart apart from bruises," she says.

"But mum gets worried; she comes to every one of my fights."

Stephynee's father died when she was three but she has grown up surrounded by golden reminders of his boxing and kickboxing success. Bruce Lee and Jet Li have also played their part. The urge to train led her to her mentor, Phon Martee, and his Northbridge martial arts gym. Martee trains a number of world titleholders, including Junior Welter Weight Champion Sanapar Noi, and thinks Stephynee has the youth and discipline to join their ranks. Martee also holds classes for people for people interested in Muay Thai for fitness. Demand for floor space at his gym is at a premium.

"When I first started training I was only girl but each week more and more women turn up," Stephynee says. Muay Thai Kickboxing has been labeled the most ferocious and deadly martial art in the world, yet it is suffused in oriental notions of respect and ritual. It is a world away from the trash-talking shenanigans and bluster of western prizefighting. For fight enthusiasts of traditional boxing the flailing limbs of kickboxing represent an unfair threat, yet it is aspect of agility and technique that's makes it thrilling and some argue more adaptable to female participation. Thai soldiers have trained in the art for centuries. As a gladiatorial spectacle it can be mesmerizing because of intensity of skill and concentration required. The fighters must defend a lot of bases while for unguarded targets on there opponent. Poetically named movements such as bird peeping through the nest and threading the flower garland, invoke a genteel pastime but perhaps break the elephant's neck redresses the balance.

In April at the World Super Cup martial arts clash at Burswood Stephynee fought Wantita Ragihuna from Samoa. A packed crowed watched as the women preformed the ritual dance that precedes a Muay Thai bout, presented as a mark of respect for their trainer and parents.

"As soon as they call your name your heart just starts pumping," she says.

"Then when you walk out there are so many people there ‚” just want to go back.

Once you get in the ring though you don't even think about the people on the outside looking at you.;