AFTER spending two years away from the competitive circuit, TT’s Crystal Mahabir made a welcome return to combat sports at the Reprezentz Muaythai Tournament in Ontario, Canada, on July 13.
Despite Mahabir, 32, losing on points to Canadian Casey Carles in 45kg weight division, she feels happy to be back and wants to keep the momentum going after such a lengthy hiatus from the sport.
As such, Mahabir has opted to extend her stay in Canada for two more weeks, so she can train with her club there, Milton Muaythai.
Locally, she trains with Tazmanian Bulldogs School of Mixed Martial Arts and Kickboxing under coach Rebecca Bhola, who is also Trinbago Muaythai Association president.
Before her return to the ring, Mahabir trained daily in Trinidad for six weeks, and then took part in a fight camp at Milton two weeks before the bout. The camp did take a bit of a toll on her physically but she was pleased with the progress shown.
“The fight camp was intense, twice a day training; three hours on mornings, two to three on evenings. It took a toll on me and mentally and physically broke me down.
“But, I felt 100 per cent prepared for this fight and I wasn’t nervous because I knew the training I put into it,” Mahabir said.
There were no nerves when she stepped into the ring as she traded blows with Carles. The match went three full rounds with Carles emerging victorious on points.
“I did the best I could do. Looking back at the fight there were things that you think you could have done differently. But in the moment, you’re fighting fatigue, your opponent pressuring you and having to think on a dime.
“It was all natural but the fatigue bettered me in the later rounds and I was not able to push a little extra. It was a close fight , just a back and forth for the three rounds.”
Mahabir even hinted at a possible rematch in the future as she plans to use the coming months to improve her craft. She learnt a lot from this return fight and despite the loss, it served as inspiration.
“I can beat her. I just have to adjust training a little differently to have the upper hand this time. Because my IQ, everything was there for the fight but it was just the fatigue, I ran out of gas.
“I’ll train differently. I learnt about a lot of my weaknesses as well, like I saw that she was stronger than me in the clinch, work on some more elbows and knees; study the fight and work on the weaknesses I can strengthen,” Mahabir added.
She also thanked her sponsors for making the trip a success. Boyke’s Fitness Centre provided her with massages, HHSL for sponsoring flight tickets and Shandilya Occupational Medical Associates for her medical bills.
Mahabir encouraged other women and girls to get involved in the sport.
“Muaythai has given me a space to grow and become stronger physically, mentally, and spiritually. I train alongside males who are bigger than me and have learned to toughen up and not be afraid.
“I want to encourage kids and other women to get involved in Muaythai so they can reap the benefits I did. If you do
