Helene Garnett is one lady making sure she puts the City of Sheffield on the map
Born in 1974 in Doncaster, Helene grew up in nearby moorends. Growing up, Helene loved football and she also studied some Taekwondo as a child and was surrounded by boxers, but not until she was 28 years of age did Helene decide to try Thai Boxing, after accompanying her friend to the local Muay Thai gym (the well respected Wicker Camp in Sheffield). After just one session Helene was hooked and has been a permanent resident of Wicker Camp ever since.
Thai Boxing in Sheffield
Wicker Camp Thai Boxing gym has produced many world class Thai Boxers over the three decades it has been in existence (including famous female Champion Trix March) and being surrounded by such dedicated athletes spurred Helene on to competition and in 2003 she had her first Thai Boxing fight and first win.
2005 was a breakthrough year for Helene. She ventured out to Thailand for the first time, training at Sor Vorapin gym in Bangkok (as well as other gyms in Bangkok and Pattaya). It was during this trip, that she travelled to the Island of Koh Samui where she fought and won a WMC (World Muay Thai Council) Muay Thai against drugs title.
It was also in 2005 that Helene won her first domestic title in Manchester, England, against Isabella McCall.
Helene is widely regarded as pound for pound, the strongest female in the United Kingdom. She has built up an army of fans with initially, her hard and heavy hitting style, however her style has since developed into one which not only contains her trademark powerful punches, but also displays her clever ringcraft which in all but one of her fights, has resulted in totally dominating performances by the talented fighter.
Rehabilitation work
In addition to her gruelling fighters training schedule, Helene also has an equally demanding day job.
Helene works in an alcohol and drug misuse rehabilitation centre in Sheffield, helping victims of drug and alcohol abuse to get themselves clean and free from addiction and get their lives back on track. It is a job that Helene finds demanding, yet very satisfying.
Dutch and American Competition
2009 was an important year for Helene. In March Helene suffered her only loss to date against the tough Dutch fighter Jorina Baars. It was a close fight but Jorina took the decision on points.
In October 2009 Helene won a world title, against the tough fighter Freda Mouat and In December 2009, Helene travelled to New York where she fought the very experienced Natalie Fuzz in a prestige match. Helene won the fight, beating Natalie in her own back yard.
Winning a world title has always been Helene’s dream and her main goal in Muay Thai, although she does plan to continue fighting.
Family support
Helene has always spoken of the love and support her family have shown her with regards to her Thai Boxing career. Indeed not many parents want to see their daughter fighting but Helene’s family make an effort to attend her fights and provide her with the much needed emotional support fighters require. She classes her coaches Mick Mullaney and his wife Trix, as her extended family and states that if Wicker Camp were to shut its doors then she herself, would hang up her gloves.
Its this level of loyalty and dedication that has seen Helene achieve in only a few years, what most aspiring fighters dream of from a career in the sport.
Helene plans in the future, to complete a personal training course where she will be able to inspire people to achieve their personal goals and aims in fitness.
Helene Garnett stats:
Gym: Wicker Camp, England
Fight weight: 66-67kg
Total fights: 12
Wins: 11 (5 by way of referee stoppage)
Loss: 1
Titles held: British, European, World and M.A.D (Muay Thai against drugs)
marianne barrett - Marianne currently lives in Newcastle, England. Marianne has been studying/practicing martial arts for nearly ten years, in particular ...
Join the Conversation