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Linda Ooms Interview January 2006
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| Linda Ooms | |
Linda Ooms is one of Holland's brightest female prospects. At 22 years of age she has already notched up a record of nearly 20 fights. Linda Ooms has also fought in England before against British number one Jackie Short.
Fighting out of KB Brummen (the same gym as Faldir Chahbari) Linda is scheduled to fight Ilonka Elmont for the Dutch title on 5th March.
MTO: When did you start training?
Linda Ooms: I started kickboxing when I was 9 years old.
MTO: Have you ever trained with anybody else?
Linda Ooms:I have trained about two years at KB Zutphen. I was 11 years old when I left KB Zutphen. At that time KB Zutphen had changed its training location and there were no sparring partners for me, being only 36 kilograms at that time. My break only lasted a month. Then I met my trainer Kenneth Macnack and I started training at KB Brummen. Now, 11 years later, I'm still training at KB Brummen.
MTO: What was your first fight?
Linda Ooms: My first fight was against Carola Jansen of Akdeniz Gym. I was 15 years old then. I lost this fight by a points decision but I had a rematch against Carola one year thereafter and this time I won by a points decision!
MTO: How many fights have you had now?
Linda Ooms: Kickboxing/thaiboxing: I have had 18 Fights, 12 wins (2ko), 4 losses and 2 draws.
Boxing: I have had 1 fight, 1 loss.
MTO: What titles do you hold?
Linda Ooms: I only hold the W.F.C.A Benelux title -52.5kg. I hope I'll win other titles this year!
MTO: You fought in the UK before against Jackie Short, please tell us about that fight?
Linda Ooms: The first time I fought Jackie Short in Scotland for the world title. It was a very good fight and I think I should have won this fight but the officials decided otherwise. A rematch was possible, but it had to take place within a month. So we did a rematch in her hometown Maryport. I had a lot of injuries and I didn't feel well during the fight. I lost this fight but I do want to fight Jackie Short once more, because I know I can beat her!
MTO: What did you think of the show in England?
Linda Ooms: I really liked it. The audience was very enthusiastic. Kickboxing/thaiboxing is really "alive" there!
MTO: Have you seen any other UK girls fight?
Linda Ooms: Well, I have never seen other UK girls fight in real life, but I have seen Mary Hart and Lisa Houghton-Smith on videotape.
MTO: You fought Ilonka Elmont before under boxing rules, why those rules?
Linda Ooms: Boxing was not my plan officially. I know Ilonka wanted to make her boxing debut, but they couldn't find an opponent for her. Two weeks before the fight they asked if I wanted to fight Ilonka under boxing rules. I thought this was a challenge, so I accepted the invitation.
MTO: What other rules have you fought under?
Linda Ooms: Besides boxing rules I have only fought under kickboxing and thaiboxing rules.
MTO: What do you think of women fighting with elbows?
Linda Ooms: I think women are just as capable as men to fight with elbows. I see elbows as just another weapon to defeat your opponent.
MTO: How do you feel about the upcoming bout with Ilonka?
Linda Ooms: After we met in boxing last year, many people wanted to see us fight under thaiboxing rules. The fight will take place on 5th March at the Martini Plaza in Groningen, the Netherlands. I believe Ilonka is still the best female fighter in my weight division in Holland. I want to become the best fighter so I'll have to defeat Ilonka. This fights is thus a real challenge to me.
MTO: What other fights do you have lined up?
Linda Ooms: In May I'll be fighting in Scotland and on 4th June I'll have an European title fight in Druten, the Netherlands. I do not know yet who my opponents will be.
MTO: Who are your favourite female fighters?
Linda Ooms: My number one favourite female fighter is Lucia Rijker. She is very strong and she has got a real fighting spirit. Up till now I haven't seen a female fighter who is as good as her!
MTO: And what about the guys, who are your favourites?
Linda Ooms: Muhammad Ali is my all time favourite male fighter. Nobody is as fast as he was. He danced in the ring and just as Lucia Rijker he has got a real fighting spirit!
I also admire my team mate Faldir "Fast" Chahbari. I think "fast" says enough!
MTO: And who do you think are the strongest women fighters in Holland right now?
Linda Ooms: Ilonka Elmont is a very strong fighter in my weight division. Germaine de Randamie is also very strong fighter in the weight division 61-63kg.
MTO: Is there anyone in particular that you would like to fight?
Linda Ooms: I would like to fight all strong women in my weight division, but Eva de Naranjo and Jackie Short in particular because they are the only two woman of whom I've lost.
MTO:When you stop studying and have to work full time do you think that will affect your fight career
Linda Ooms: No, I don't think it will affect my fighting career. I think I'll even have more time left to train and fight and to be sure of that I will look for a job that fits my fighting career!
MTO: Your stablemate Faldir Chahbari is penciled in to fight Drago soon, what do you think will happen in that fight?
Linda Ooms: Drago is a very strong fighter but I think Faldir will surprise everyone. Faldir has got a different fighting style from all the other fighters Drago fought. Faldir can fight forwards, backwards and he moves very fast. I think Faldir will win this fight and he may even knock Drago out!
MTO: Is there anything that you would like to say in closing?
Linda Ooms: First I would like to thank my parents and my sisters for their unconditional support. Second, Kenneth, my trainer for his patience and all the beautiful moments we had and will have in this sport. Third, my team mates, because without them I wouldn't be able to train and I also have a lot of fun with them! And finally, the fans for their support!
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