A world champ and a national champ make for a winning combination. Young Muay Thai star, Waimatao Hira credits her success to the belief coach Melody Downs has in her.
National champion and north island champion, Hira knows how to pack a punch.
She says, "The feeling you get in the ring, you'll never get anywhere else. It's an adrenaline rush like no other, really."
However, nothing comes without a price.
"It's a lot of sacrifices," says Hira.
The title winner and black gloves representative have big goals but say it doesn't come without hard work
Hira says, "I want to be a world champ. I have these long-term goals and I just want to make them a reality. Gotta work through the bottom to get to the top."
Downs says, "With young people it's an uphill battle sometimes but we can see her pushing herself to get to that high achievement. Possibly even a world title."
Hira says the relationship between herself and her trainer is a big part of her success.
"Everything she's done has been a guideline for me. With everything she's achieved she makes me think 'if she can do it then I can'."
Downs believes this is just the beginning for the rising star.
"We've got young talent coming through with so much potential and it's our duty- for us who are older in the sport- to pass that knowledge down."
Hira enters the ring again at the end of the month.
