Women challenging sporting norms
Have you ever met someone who said, ‘That’s not a sport for chicks!’
Women all over the world continue to break barriers, push the norms and achieve excellence in sports yet there are still those questioning if women have a place on some track, field, mats, ring or air for that matter. Since starting fight sports I have had not only men question why I do it but women too. The unsolicited comments never fall short,
‘Why would you hurt yourself?’
’‘Only men should be fighting.’
‘Ew, why? Only beasts do that.’
‘That sport is not for women and doesn’t fit well into this team,’ said the ex-manager.
Why do I continue to train and leave unsupportive work environments? The overwhelming and undeniable support from the men and women training and competing in fight sports. Ask any race car driver, BMX rider, MMA fighter, skateboarder, surfer or extreme sports athlete and they will all say it's not just the rush that has them coming back time and again, it’s their teammates. Finding your people is never easy but when you do it makes it all worthwhile and the haters, well they can go fuck themselves.
Fight sports, motorsports, extreme sports and other unconventional sports are punishing, they are by no means easy and take athletes to their absolute limits but hell are they rewarding. Women chase the thrill in their chosen field with many competing into their late sixties and seventies in sports such as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Here are five women absolutely killing it in their arenas with no plans of slowing down anytime soon.
#1 Michelle Nicolini
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Mixed Martial Arts
Michelle’s career began in Capoeira at fourteen before she began BJJ at seventeen. At twenty-three she was awarded her black belt and was the first female to win gold as a black belt in both gi and no-gi at all four major BJJ championships. Recognised as one of the greatest BJJ female grapplers, Michelle went on to retire from the sport in 2016 to focus on MMA. Since then Michelle has won six of nine fights as a One Championship fighter in the strawweight division.
Career Highlights:
8 x BJJ Black Belt World Champion
3 x European Champion
Pan American Champion
Brazilian National Champion
#2 Lizzie Armanto
Skateboarder
Taking on the boys at their own game, Lizzie Armanto has been an absolute trailblazer in women’s skateboarding. Having won over 30 skateboarding awards, one of the highlights of her career was winning gold in her 2013 X Games debut in Barcelona. Since then Lizzie went on to capture silver in 2014 and bronze in 2019.
She solidified her career in the game when she was the first female skater to complete Tony Hawk’s infamous 360-degree ‘Loop’ ramp in 2018. However, it didn’t stop there and Lizzie went on to represent Finland in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Career Highlights:
2013 X Games Gold Medal
2014 X Games Silver Medal
2019 X Games Bronze Medal
First woman to complete Tony Hawk’s infamous 360-degree ‘Loop’ ramp
#3 Molly Taylor
Rally Driver
Recognised as Australia’s Queen of Rally, Molly is certainly giving the boys a run for their money. On track she has kicked some serious butt being the first female driver to win the Australian Rally Championship and gone on to win the 2021 Extreme E Championship.
Her accolades stem off the track also with appearances on Seven Network’s SAS Australia and regularly commentating for Stan Sport. Not stopping anytime soon, Molly is breaking new ground for women in the world of motorsports year on year.
Career Highlights:
2022 Dakar 14th T4 class
2021 Extreme E Champion
2017 Australian Rally Champion Runner Up
2016 Australian Rally Champion
#4 Maya Gabeira
Surfer
Best known for recording the Guinness World Records biggest wave ever surfed by a woman at 22.4m (73ft) in Nazaré, Portugal in February 2020, this woman is absolutely smashing barriers. Not only did she break the record, Maya held the previous record of 20.8m (68ft) set in January 2018. Not sure what size that looks like? Think 5-storeys high.
Maya Gabeira is not only recognised as one the most influential female surfers of all time, she is also the highest paid with sponsors including Billabong and Red Bull. With numerous awards to her name she also has a documentary called Maya and the Wave, which was released in 2022.
Career Highlights:
Guinness World Record for biggest wave surfed by a woman at 22.4m in 2020
ESPY award for Best Female Action Sports Athlete
Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards 2007-2010
#5 Jessica Fox
Canoe Slalom
Defying the odds in Canoe Slalom, Australian athlete Jessica Fox’s goal is to hit the speeds of her male counterparts in future competitions. With four Olympic medals to her name she is not slowing down anytime soon.
Career Highlights:
2014 London Olympics Silver Medal
2018 Rio Olympics Bronze Medal
2020 Tokyo Olympics Gold & Bronze Medal
There are so many more incredible female athletes I could share but these are just a few to inspire you to try something new. If you have that itch to dive in and try something others may deem not a female sport, ignore the background noise and give it a go. You never know, you might just find your people and start a life long journey to something incredibly challenging but ridiculously rewarding.
