Apolot, Uganda's female kick boxing champion gears up for world championship

Losing only one fight out of 16 makes Patricia Apolot the reigning kickboxing champion in Uganda and Africa at large.

Apolot is the only female kick boxer in Uganda and Africa with the largest number of belts; she also has many golden medals.  She has won a number of home, continental and intercontinental fights.

A resident of Ngora, Apolot was inspired to join kick boxing because she loved the sport. "In primary, I was a jumper, a runner and a footballer," she said.

Apolot making Uganda proud after winning a fight, on the left is her coach Rozman

 
In 2012, her desire was fanned afresh when she was invited by the Uganda kickboxing Federation to participate ahead of Golola Moses vs late Andras Nagi kicking boxing game. "Although I lost the match, my interest kicked off there and then," she said.

Apolot's fights have been in Hungary and Greece.  She is also a one- time Africa international champion and three times Inter-continental champion.

Though she has won several battles, Apolot says, the sports has a challenge of finances. "Very few women can compete because the pay is little," she said.

However, she advises that one should not give up one's dream and passion because help always comes for a determined person.

Apolot's coach, Istvan Rozman said he has never seen such a determined person. "I have never seen this kind of lady who has a special spirit in the ring," he said. "She stepped on the road but a very hard one to arrive at success. Out of the 16 fights, she has failed only one.  She believes in God and also trains hard."

Although Apolot is reticent about   the risks in the kick boxing sport, Rozman a former Hungarian boxer says it is a hard sport.  "Kickboxing is a hard sport even for men," he attests. "After training or fighting, when you sleep at night, in the morning you might fail to get out of bed.  Other times, your body can be aching and swollen allover."

Patricia Apolot

 
He further noted that since you have training every day, sometimes your body can have intense pain all over the shoulders and the legs. Someone can injure you during training and if you do not have enough zeal for it, you cannot last long in it.

Advising on the recommended diet, Rozman said that more vitamin-drinks, milk, glucose and iron are vital.

Currently, Apolot is planning for World championship, which is due to take place in May this year. Although it is anticipated to be a tough competition, Apolot said she is just doing her best daily so that she can be able to compete favourably on the appointed date.