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Essensa fights into Top 8 at world kickboxing championship

Red Deer kickboxer Stephanie Essensa went into the world championships (King’s Cup) in Bangkok, Thailand, with only eight Muay Thai bouts under her belt and no previous international competition.

Red Deer kickboxer Stephanie Essensa went into the world championships (King’s Cup) in Bangkok, Thailand, with only eight Muay Thai bouts under her belt and no previous international competition.

But after one win and one loss she is now top eight in the world.

“I have to thank my coach Gary Vig for training me and getting me to this point,” said Essensa. “Also everyone at Arashi-Do who I work with on a daily basis for helping to push me in my training and for supporting me in my goals in Thailand.”

There were 15 competitors in Essensa’s 118-pound category. Essensa, 25, had her first bout Monday against Lena Tan Yi Hui of Singapore.

The Red Deer kickboxer was able to move to the top eight in the competition by using superior hands, clinching, and conditioning to post a unanimous-decision win.

“The fight went well, it was mainly me working my way inside of her kicks, as she had fairly long legs and really good kicks, ” said the Canadian champion. “Her hands weren’t quite as good as mine and she didn’t feel as strong in the clinch physically. I tried to focus on taking out her legs with low kicks, then stinging her with my hands. My cardio was better and I was able to keep pressure on her into the final round.”

In the next round, Essensa was pitted against Russian and European champion and former world champ Elena Vorobyova of Russia, who had just too much experience for Essensa.

“Her kicks were amazing, very powerful and technical,” said the Arashi-do Muay Thai instructor.

“I had a hard time getting a read on distance with her, as her legs were very fast. If I managed to get inside her legs, I was able to try to let my hands go, but her movement was very good and she would reset her position before I could really score convincingly. It was a frustrating fight that I ended up losing by decision.”

For Essensa, going four rounds with one of the top kickboxers in the world was a bittersweet learning experience.

“I learned that I’m a lot tougher than I had realized,” explained Essensa, 9-1. “I took a lot of hard shots for four rounds. I also learned that although I was very inexperienced compared to most of the people competing here — most of the people I’ve talked to have at least 35-plus fights — that I do belong here. It’s just a matter of obtaining more ring experience.”

The kickboxer now knows what she has to do to get to the next level, and she plans on keeping busy, improving her game and hopefully returning to the international arena for 2011.

“As a fighter, I’ve learned what I need to work on to improve my game,’’ said the two-time Canadian champ. “I know now that I’ll be okay if I try to push it. Seeing the caliber of opponents out here was very motivating and I’m looking forward to getting back into the gym to work on some new skills.”

She also feels that she is in the right place to hone those skills.

“Gary’s an amazing coach and I know he’ll be able to help me push into the next level,” said Essensa. “From here, I’m going to really work on making major improvements as a fighter and an athlete. I know pretty much what I need to do, now I’m going to work hard and get back out into the International field.”

Doug Rowe is a local freelance writer who specializes in boxing and the martial arts