Susan Chapman says she is "mostly doing it because of my brother [Shane Chopper Chapman, four time world champion]. He's my inspiration".
The Auckland woman and her partner, Tahuri Tibble, who relocated from Auckland to the Far North a little over two years ago, are establishing themselves and their sport by running weekly Muay Thai kickboxing classes at the Club Physical gym in Kaitaia.
Tibble described Muay Thai as differing from MMA or cage fighting, noting it is a particularly effective and brutal form of martial arts which uses all striking points, including knees and elbows.
Having just had a baby, the pair are working hard to prepare for the upcoming trip.
Tibble, who is no slouch himself in the ring by all accounts, will stay behind to look after the children. "We train together as much as we can," Tibble said, citing this as an example of a couple working together towards a common goal or cause.
Tibble had no doubt his partner had the willpower to achieve her goal through a strict regime of dieting and pure, hard training.
"She's in the mid to late 80s," he said referring to her current weight, and noting the scheme was to get down to the 70kg mark through a combination of "dieting and intense training" to make it easier for organisers of the fight to match her up.
However, the expenses for the trip were daunting and the couple said they would welcome any offers of support from potential sponsors or donations from members of the local community to help them. Contact (020) 4006-1945.
