Two Calgary-based kickboxers are heading to the national championships in May, with their sights set on becoming world champions.
Nineteen-year-old Elizabeth Kells-Sanders has been kickboxing since she was eight years old. She says she was sick and tired of being bullied.
“It was kind of my parents. I moved from England and I kind of struggled with my confidence, getting bullied, so my parents were like, ‘Try this out, try kickboxing,’ and I’m like, ‘OK,’” she said.
Carson Mullaney, 23, started kickboxing when he was five because he just wanted to try it out.
“I just started doing basic karate and then slowly got into Muay Thai and kickboxing and point sparring, and now I’m pretty much stuck to Muay Thai and enjoying every day of it,” he said.
Both have come a long way in the sport. This year, they’ve taken the step to the adult division and will compete at the 2025 WAKO Canadian National Championship in Toronto for the first time.
Mullaney wants to do well but also knows it’s going to be a big learning experience.
“Very nervous, but I think it’s going to go pretty good,” he said.
“I think it’s going to be a real eye-opener, and I’m going to try my best and I think it’s really going to show me what I’ve got.”
Kells-Sanderson says she’s as ready as she’s going to be for nationals.
“I’m feeling pretty good. I always compare it to the worlds. So it’s not on the same type of level. I also have a psychologist, which is really nice to have, especially as a girl. But yeah, I’m feeling pretty confident about it,” she said.
Kells-Sanders and Mullaney have been training with Arjun Mike Miles, owner of Evolve Kickboxing. The goal is to get to the adult world championships in Abu Dhabi. Miles says he likes their chances.
“Desire is everything. It’s not just how well you throw your punches and kicks and what kind of shape you’re in. Fighting is probably about 80 per cent desire. And they have to desire to win and move forward, which is really important,” Miles said.
The national championship will take place in Toronto from May 8-11, while the 2025 WAKO World Kickboxing Championship will get under way in November.
