Harnessing Talent Athlete

Rachael MacKenzie - European Champion - Boxing

Biography:

Growing up Rachael played lots of different sports. Whilst at school she represented her County in hockey, netball and cross-country and have carried on playing club level hockey ever since. Whilst at University her housemate persuaded her to join her at a Thai boxing class and she loved it so she carried on training to keep fit for hockey. She trained sporadically over the next 3-4 years until whilst at Bradford Thai Boxing she got fed up with being sidelined because she was the only girl and insisted she wanted to fight.

Rachael had her first fight a week later at Leeds Town Hall against an experienced fighter. She lost on points but was hooked. Since then she has fought and beaten the British, European and World Champions to earn the number 1 spot in the World Rankings.

In 2006 Rachael topped the Women's Thai-Boxing World Rankings in two weight categories, 50kg and 52kg. Her determination and hard work had paid off having started Thai-boxing just six years before. On the way to achieving this dream Rachael took two British Titles, both by Knock-Out and a European Title. She also became the first European Woman to compete in traditional bare-knuckle Thai-boxing in Thailand and the first woman to fight under Full Muay-Thai Rules in the UK.

Throughout her Thai-Boxing career Rachael has had to overcome prejudice from people who do not believe women should compete in a contact sport such as Thai-Boxing. Through her success and perseverance Rachael has helped to improve the profile and opportunities for female Thai-boxers.

Click here to see Rachael's Competitive History

Click here to see how Rachael and DKH Legacy Trust are working together, and to find out about her 'giving back to sport' activities.