Religious girls are Muay Thai champs
Two pious teenagers from Beit Shemesh, Kiryat Arba strike opponents mercilessly to win Thailand-style kickboxing world championship in Bangkok
Well, two religious teenage girls are out to break that stereotype: The two Israelis, who combine training with Torah studies, won the Muay Thai world championship held in Bangkok several weeks ago.
Video courtesy of jn1.tv
Five times a week, Nili Block, 18, of Beit Shemesh, and Sarah Avraham, 18, of Kiryat Arba, replace their religious schoolgirl outfits with boxing gloves and sportswear and head to the boxing center at Jerusalem's Teddy Stadium.
"Our teachers at the ulpana (Jewish high school for girls) are very enthusiastic about it. They say it's an honor for us," says Nili.
Naama Etzion, principal of the AMIT Noga school where Nili studies, confirms that "it's a great honor for our ulpana. We encouraged her and helped her. She put days and nights into it and reached the top – and we're proud of her."
Nili's teammate Sarah immigrated to Israel from India three years ago. "Most of Kiryat Arba's residents approve of it. It's what I like and what I am good at."
The two religious warriors can put up a good fight against bigger and stronger opponents as well, says their coach Eddie Yusopov. "They are among the best in the team. They have no problem fighting boys. In the arena, religion means nothing. The main thing is the strength of the strike."
