by NATALIE HUNT

A former Boissevain woman wins kickboxing award last month.

Holly Deacon, 31, who now currently resides in Ottawa, won the Senior Female Athlete of the Year on March 30 for kickboxing.

Deacon was really happy she won the award. “It was a great end to a very successful year in kickboxing.”

Deacon practices full contact kickboxing, which is sometimes called American kickboxing. American kickboxing is distinguished from Thai and other types by the following general rules, opponents are allowed to hit each other with fists and feet, striking above the hip, no elbows or knees, shins are seldom allowed and bouts are between 3-12 rounds.

Deacon said she was honoured to be nominated for senior female. “The other women that were nominated are very talented so it was amazing just to be in the same class as them.”

Deacon started kickboxing in 2002 when she started doing the class twice a week for fitness. Some of the members of her club competed and she began sparring with them. Deacon said she started competing a year after she joined the club. “I have been hooked ever since.”

She said when she kick boxes she’s very nervous before a match, but after the bell rings she’s completely focused on winning.

 Deacon said kickboxing is physically and mentally challenging. “You are constantly trying to read your opponent’s next move and try to outsmart them.”

Deacon came third in Portugal in the 2007 world championships. She said it was a very close fight and she said she feels she fought very well. “I was disappointed when I didn’t win, especially being so close.”

Portugal was the first time Deacon had ever competed in an international full contact competition. “There were a lot of new experiences for me.” She said the size of the competition was overwhelming. “It made for long tiring days of waiting around for your fight to come up.”

The venue was a large arena with three full contact rings and three mats for other divisions with fights running for five full days. Deacon said when she wasn’t preparing for her fights she was helping out and cheering on her teammates. She said it was different and exciting being around all the international competitors. She said it was kind of intimidating because some of the countries have huge cheering sections. “But in general everybody is really friendly. There is a good sportsman-like spirit among everyone.” Deacon said at the end of the tournament people trade team uniforms, country pins, and t-shirts.

“It was an amazing experience that I will remember for a longtime.”