Naomi’s boxing clever

She’s fluent in a few styles, but this feisty kick boxer’s dream is to take part in the next Olympics, says David Young

WOMEN are finally being recognised for their boxing and martial-arts skills but many people believe ladies ought not to spar, let alone, bob, weave — and, heaven forbid — connect. Talents like Kerry girl Naomi O’Brien have blossomed, regardless.

“I was in fifth class when I started tae kwon-do (a Korean martial art). All my school friends in Tralee were doing it, and that got me interested,” says Naomi, 16. “And in a few years I’d taken up kick-boxing, and then boxing to work on my hands. And I got to really like it ... and the competitions.”

“There were no girls in the first boxing club I joined, so I had to train with the lads. It brought me on and we became good friends,” she says. “It was a few months before another girl joined. But then, a few more followed. That was great. Maybe we persuaded them.”

With hard-earned experience in a few codes, Naomi has quite a record in the ring. “How many fights have I had? About 180,” she says. In a kick-boxing competition she can easily have a flurry of bouts on the same day, so fitness is crucial.

“Every morning, I’m out for a run before school,” she says. “And my dad and I do jogs and sprints. Then, straight away after class, there’s another session. So, all in all, yeah, I’d say about three hours a day.” Her willingness to sacrifice for her sport is impressive.

What about pastimes? “No, not a whole lot,” she says. “There just isn’t time. Especially when there’s a competition coming. You’ve got to put in the effort. If you don’t, you’ll be found out. Of course, there’s always a fear of what could happen if you don’t train right. On the day, you’ve got to be able to say you tried your very best.”

Considering Naomi’s success — a European title in tae kwon-do, three Irish titles in amateur boxing, and three world titles in kick-boxing — she knows what she’s talking about. Her father Mike, her trainer, has been there through everything. He is her number one motivator.

Naomi says: “I couldn’t imagine anyone else coaching me. It just wouldn’t be the same. I get so nervous before fights. And my dad calms me down. It’s his voice in my ear that tells me everything’s going to be okay. And once the bell goes, I’m fine. But he’s the one for my corner. He’s always there.”

Mike introduced her to the sport, bringing her along as a primary school student to her first session. Having had experience from his younger days, Mike jumped in to encourage Naomi. Ever since, there’s been no turning back — for either of them.

At last year’s World Kickboxing Championships in Spain, where Naomi won an unprecedented third title, Mike also picked up a gold medal.

Even though Naomi had fought brilliantly and come through her own competition, unscathed, she couldn’t help but be anxious while dad followed suit.

“I’m always worried when he’s in competition,” she says. “I fear for him getting hurt. Sometimes, I even cry through his bouts. I just don’t want anything to go wrong.” Yet, Naomi remains undaunted by the prospects of injury to herself. “I’ve had a few bloody noses alright ... but never a broken one.”

In September this year, she’ll try her hand in the adult category at the Kick Boxing World Championships. Not only is she up against older fighters, she’s also meeting them in full contact. Ratcheting up the intensity won’t throw her, though. It’s a natural next step, she says.

But what’s the dream? “The Olympics in 2016,” she says. “I want to concentrate on making it.”

For a young fighter with the right skills and a keen focus, you wouldn’t bet against her. “Every few Saturdays, we go to Dublin to train,” she says. This inclusion in ‘elite’ team sessions is standing to her.

“I’ve sparred with Christina McMahon — Ireland’s only professional boxer. And that taught me a lot,” she says, proud to have stood in the ring with one of her idols.

The Monaghan pro, 20 years Naomi’s senior, has the kind of flinty ambition that all true competitors appreciate. McMahon, too, makes no excuses or apologies for what she does. With her haul of medals, why would she?

Being a teenager has shielded Naomi from the antiquated notions that girls and women should refrain from contact sports. Luckily, she’s encountered only praise from family and friends, and her school teachers echo those sentiments (by announcing her achievements over the school tannoy). She has arrived as the mould’s being broken.

In the UK, the BBC aired their first televised female boxing broadcast in Nov 2010, less than two years ahead of women’s boxing debut on the Olympic stage. Even since Naomi began boxing, the number of registered female boxers in Britain has risen from 70, in 2005, to more than 900, in 2009, according to a survey conducted by Sport England.

Come to think of it — women’s boxing was only officially sanctioned in the UK in Naomi’s lifetime. And today, there are more than 20,000 putting on gloves — every week. Why? For the challenge. The sense of self-esteem. The desire to be able to defend oneself. The fitness and feel-good factors. To win. All the things any athlete wants.

Most importantly, Naomi stands beautifully, and blithely, uninterested in those who ‘tut tut.’ They may save their breath. For a young fighter who’s acquitted herself in the ring with Katie Taylor, O’Brien’s very much her own person.

Training diet advice

Eating little, and often, works best for your metabolism. So, it’s OK to snack between meals. Think low-GI fruit: apples, grapefruit and berries.

Keep fat out of your pre- and post-workouts. It’ll only slow down your digestion, and your recovery, too. Opt for proteins, instead.

If fat loss is the goal, then cut down on your carbohydrates (don’t cut them out). And, keep in mind, any carbs eaten ought to be earned through intense training.

Try not to drink your calories: jettison soft drinks and limit your milk intake. Water’s a winner. But do drink one or two cups of black coffee up to one hour before your work-out — it’ll boost your metabolism and burn fat while you exercise.

Avoid the ‘white’ stuff — rice, flour, refined sugar — they’re all starchy foods. And they metabolise readily into fat. Eat nothing a couple of hours before bed. Hard, but a good night’s sleep is priceless.

Mike O’Brien (kick-boxer and trainer of Naomi)