What it takes to become a kickboxing champion
Many young practitioners of kickboxing aspire to discover just how far they can push themselves and whether they possess what it takes to become a champion in this challenging sport. But what does it truly require to achieve the status of a champion?
Consistency
This will come to no surprise to anyone that in order to master a skill to a high level takes years of consistent, deliberate practice. It takes many thousands of hours to become proficient at techniques and many more thousands to hone and perfect them.
So if you are looking to become a kickboxing champion, be consistent and train as many hours as you can in the week.
Mentality
You will face many challenges along the way to becoming a champion, no one's journey is easy and it will be filled with self doubt and internal conflicts. To steal a quote from BJJ professor Chris Haueter ‘It’s not who is good, it's who is left’.
To become a kickboxing champion will take the strength of will and character to continue to train and stay consistent no matter how hard it becomes. Mentality is also a skill and should be included as part of your training. This way, when you step into the ring as it gets tough you will have to dig deep and not give in.
Understanding technique
When you are a beginner in kickboxing you need to learn the basics and in some ways just do as your coach says. ‘Keep your hands up, turn your hips over with your kicks’ etc. There will reach a point in your training journey where you need to start to take responsibility for your techniques, learn what works for you and your fighting style and then develop these in sparring and drills.
The point where you start to develop your own understanding of kickboxing techniques will only happen if you are able to train consistently and approach training with the correct mentality. Without that foundation you will never become a high level kickboxer.
Become an athlete
To become a champion you will also need to build up your athletic abilities. You will not become a kickboxing champion if you cannot generate enough force with your strikes and maintain your stamina and power throughout a bout. This is why you need to not only master your kickboxing techniques but also have a good strength and conditioning program so you can have the strength and stamina of a kickboxing champion.
Compete
Competing is a skill within its own right. You need to practice dealing with the pressure of a real fight, be able to keep your composure and not get too emotional. To get good at this you need to be exposed to the stress of competition. I always tell my athletes that your first five to ten bouts will never be you at your best and this is because they have not had enough experience in competition.
This is also why when an athlete starts competing they start at the lowest level of competition and build their way up. I have and continue to see coaches take athletes to the next level of competition when they are not ready, losing badly and never competing again. This is why levelling up as an athlete must be done at the right time and with the correct guidance.
Start low and level up, so that when you do reach the top level of competition you have enough experience to become a champion.
Talent
To say that there are not people out there that are athletically talented and have genetic gifts would be a lie. We all want to imagine we all start off on an even playing field but this is unfortunately not the case. For example if you are 7ft tall or over and born in the USA there is a 70 percent chance that you will one day play as a professional basketball player.
Talent definitely plays a role in the success of an athlete. However I have put this last on the list of traits required to become a kickboxing champion, as without the correct mentality, consistent training and work ethic your talent will only take you so far.
Become a Kickboxing Champion
At Sanda Kickboxing Academy London, we have proudly trained several national champions who have excelled in the sport. Our highly skilled and dedicated expert coaches are committed to helping you develop your skills and achieve your personal goals as you work towards becoming the next Sanda champion. Take the opportunity to book your free trial class today and experience the difference for yourself.