Julie Kitchen

Sport – Kickboxing

1977 -  

Suggested by Graham McKnight 

Graham writes,
“Julie Kitchen held 13 world titles as a female kick-boxer. 
She is still known as the Queen of Muay-Thai and although she is recognised throughout the world for her achievements, I feel she never had the recognition in her native Cornwall.  Julie was born in Penzance and lived there throughout her fighting years. She wore shorts with the St Piran Flag on and always carried one into the ring before her fights.  

 Julie created a path for female fighters, and although as a man I personally couldn’t benefit from this, millions of women throughout the world have followed her lead.” 

From Wikipedia,
“In 1999 Julie had twin daughters with her husband and future coach, Nathan before joining a gym in Penzance to regain her fitness. This marks the start of her kickboxing career.
Julie won her first professional fight in March 2002 against Diane Fletcher from Liverpool. Throughout her ten year career she faced fighters from fifteen countries and was the first British woman to win a World Boxing Council (WBC) title. 
Her last fight was in Los Angeles, California against British fighter Amanda Kelly on 12 January 2012. She lost via split decision after five rounds. She officially retired later that month.
Julie is now a presenter and sports commentator for Enfusion, a kickboxing and combat sports media and promotion company.”