Don't mess with this Chili Padi

Don’t mess with this “Chilli Padi”


NYP student Brenda Shee is the first Singaporean woman to win Bronze Medal at the World Muay Thai competition

	She looks like the average teenager but 17-year old Brenda Shee is one “chilli padi” - small but not to be underestimated. This first-year Finance and Accountancy student created history recently when she became the first Singaporean woman to win a bronze medal at the world muay thai competition. Muay thai or thai boxing is a traditional martial art. She bagged a bronze in the women's 48kg category at the TreX Games in Busan, South Korea on 30th September 2008. The competition featured the world's top amateur muay thai fighters. Brenda was defeated in the semi-finals by Russian Gladkov Olesja, who went on to win the gold. We speak to her on her chosen sport and experience at the TreX Games.

Brenda with Singapore Team Mates

Why did you take up muay thai, especially since it’s perceived to be a rather violent sport?

Although muay thai is perceived as a violent sport, I realised otherwise, when my dad started me in the sport. Muay thai is actually a very technical sport which requires a lot of training and hard work. It utilises all the tools available on the human body – the hands, legs, knees and elbows.

I realized that muay thai is NOT as violent as perceived by many. Its rules and fight ethics protect the competitors in the Ring. This makes it as passive as the other martial art forms like Taekwon-Do and Karate. Also, unlike boxing which can result in repeated punches on the face and head, the target area for muay thai is the entire body.

Are your family and friends supportive of your chosen sport?

My family and friends have always been very supportive. My mum and dad even fetch me from my training sessions. Friends were curious initially as to why I chose muay thai. They later learnt that I’ve long been interested in the sport and are even more surprised that I have been competing since I was 14 years old.

Was it difficult initially? Did you suffer any major injuries?

To prepare for the TreX Games in Busan, I underwent three weeks of intensive training. It has always been a challenge for me to balance my training and studies. My dad is a good preacher about time management and I’m glad to say that I’m still able to cope.

How challenging is the TreX Games as compared to the other competitions such as the South East Asian (SEA) Games where you also took home a bronze medal.

The world’s best muay thai fighters come from Thailand so you don’t want to meet them in the first round. The TreX Games is more competitive as there are 75 countries vying for the medals as compared to the nine countries in the last SEA Games. It was also a challenge to remain calm and cool in such a big event.

Tell us about your fight with Olesja of Russia? Are you happy with your achievement so far?

Despite my intensive training, I lacked experience. This is also my first time competing in the Women’s adult category with more experienced fighters. I had to psyche myself up and muster enough courage to go for it.

Olesja looked tough and rugged - the kind of opponent I’ve always wanted to challenge. My game plan was to beat her first but her experience overshadowed my will to win. Her responses to my offences were well timed. However, I’m proud to say that I stood tough and wanted to carry on even after the referee stopped me from continuing the fight. Olesja went on to become the World Champion in that category. I later learnt that she was already the European Champion when I fought her. I’m very happy with my achievements so far and will continue to work hard in the sport to achieve more.

Brenda with European Champion,
Gladkov Olesja

What are your future plans? Do you plan to take part in more international competitions?

Definitely! I plan to take part in both international and local competitions. Muay thai is gaining more recognition each day and there is potential for me to go further. There aren’t many competitions here so we’ll have to compete internationally to reach the level of the more established fighters.

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