POLLET’S Martial Arts Centre in Bathurst became a temporary television studio on Sunday as the Australian finals of the Tuff Girls reality series were staged at the dojo in front of an enthusiastic crowd of several hundred spectators.
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The series pits a number of female Muay Thai kickboxing females against one another - the next level of the competition is to be completed and filmed in Thailand - and among the competing fighters were a large contingent of Australians.
The final six fights to determine the Australian contestants were scheduled for the Bathurst venue thanks to Hanshi Ian Pollet’s involvement with the show, and though three of the fights became exhibition bouts, there was still plenty to like about the event.
World-renowned trainer and the driving force of the show Master Toddy was on hand to take a look at the contestants and immediately like what he saw.
With her opponent withdrawing, Melbourne fighter Louise Bryan started proceedings by getting the better of an exhibition bout with Joanne Walsh, and Master Toddy was impressed with both fighters from the get-go.
The following two fights followed the same path with contestants pulling out, leaving Sandra Furner and Bathurst’s own Kathryn March to progress - but like Bryan, both had to endure some tough exchanges in their demonstration fights.
As Ian Pollett explained though, there was no less intensity in the ring despite the withdrawals.
“These girls who have stepped in certainly want to put on a good show in front of Master Toddy, the main reason being that it will get them noticed and put them on the show’s radar next year and there is still the possibility that if they show enough he may even take them for this year,” he said.
“For the girls who have now progressed, they still want to make a good impression and gain the interest of the show right from the start.
“For Kathryn [March], even with a lot of preparation and fighting an exhibition bout there are still a lot of nerves. I’m pleased she has gotten through but at the same time I’d still love to see her put on a good show.”
That she did, taking on a willing opponent in Shelley Doble, who asked plenty of questions of March before a thunderous right-hand mid-way through the first round kick-started March’s display.
It was a tough contest, in which March probably had the better of despite some heavy contact from her opponent, and the crowd were appreciative of what they saw.
The next step for those progressing in the show will see them head to Thailand next month to train under Master Toddy and compete for the Tuff Girl title.
