Worlds at the feet of kickboxer

Hatfields Beach kickboxer Chelsea Woodall, who has only been kickboxing for four years, will represent New Zealand at the WKA World Kickboxing Championships in Wales this year.

The 27-year-old vet nurse took up kickboxing, joining a local club, after seeing a friend compete in a competition called Fight Girls.

“It was a year after my mum had passed away, and I was in a bit of a rut,” Chelsea says. 

Chelsea was very close to her mum and says losing her made her rethink her life and decide to say ‘yes’ to any opportunities that came her way.

“Sport was not my thing – I was one of those who never showed up to PE at school, but I found kickboxing empowering and it gave me real confidence,” she says.  

Throwing herself into her new passion, Chelsea took part in Fight Girls in 2019 and 2021, at times heading to the gym six days a week.

She says she thrived on the sport’s full body workout, coupled with discipline and a chance to move through the grades. She is working towards her black belt.

Chelsea won both her fights to date, and has another next month. She is also a commentator for World Kickboxing Association (WKA) TV.

Her coach, Mike Howard, put her forward for the world championships trial a few months ago. 

The event takes place in Wales in November and Chelsea says it will be an amazing experience to be part of the NZ contingent of around 30. Around 1000 people will be involved in the entire event, both competitors and supporters.

“Mum would be concerned to see me doing this, because I’m essentially being beaten up and punched in the face, but also she would be super proud – and especially because of the opportunities it’s given me,” she says.

To help her get there, she has the support of Hideaway Bins by Kitchen King, a Silverdale company and also has a Givealittle page https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/chelseas-journey-to-the-kickboxing-world-champshttps://givealittle.co.nz/cause/chelseas-journey-to-the-kickboxing-world-champs