Hit Like a Girl

Image courtesy of USAbudo.com

Kat poses from a promotional shot.

From double axels to spinning back fists, Kat Thomas is driven to prove “hitting like a girl” should be considered the highest compliment.

A former high-level figure skater, Kat isn’t just used to competition, she’s fueled by it. Sitting down to chat with TFC, Kat looked back at the transition from Ice Princess to Head Kick Specialist.

It doesn’t take more than a quick glance around Kat’s room to see how important competition is to her. Her walls are draped in medals and ribbons, none showing a number higher than 3^rd. Trophies are stacked on a giant display case in the corner of the room. Figure skating had consumed Kat’s life from age 8 until 18, the age she finally got fed up hearing “you hit like a girl” as an insult.

            “I knew I had more strength in my legs than most of the guys yelling this “insult” at me. I was a high level athlete, but since I was also a girl, these guys looked down on me. I decided then and there to step away from the ice and learn about fighting.”

Kat after a training session.

Now 22 years old, Kat has earned the nickname “Kryptonite” and is considered one of the better fighters at her club. The transition from figure-skating to kickboxing seems like a strange one, but Kat explained how useful her skating background was.

           

            “I already had great balance, core strength and flexibility. Those are all skills that take quite a while to build up, which slows the development of some fighters. Fortunately, I had a solid base when I started training, so I could focus more of my time and energy on learning technique.

Kat didn’t just learn the technique quickly; she applied it in the ring almost as fast. After only 6 months of training, Kat had her first fight; an experience she said was more daunting than any figure skating competition.

            “As someone who had competed from a young age, I figured my nerves were like steel, that I wouldn’t get nervous before a big event anymore. I was so very wrong. Walking into the ring for my first fight was more nerve-wracking than my biggest figure skating competition ever was. Knowing you are about to get hit – many times – takes a special type of mental preparation that you can’t understand until you experience it.”

“Kryptonite” walked out of her first fight victorious, and has continued that streak for many fights since. Kat hopes that one day the ribbons on her wall will be replaced by Championship Belts. 

Until then, Kryptonite is proud to walk into the ring, bow to her opponent, and Hit Like a Girl.