Mum Kerry is just champion (From Chelmsford Weekly News)

Mum Kerry is just champion

7:30am Sunday 1st January 2012 in News

IN between saving lives and raising two children, a mum from Chelmsford has become a champion cage fighter.

Kerry Masarati, of Lucas Avenue, beat the British title holder to win the female 65kg K1 championships on points after five two-minute rounds at the world title clash, held in Colchester.

K1 is a mixture of kickboxing and Muay Thai (a combat sport originating from Thailand) and involves a variety of kicks, punches and knee movements to the body, but no elbows are allowed.

Mum-of-two Kerry has worked as an emergency medical technician for the London Ambulance Service for five years and is based at Tower Hamlets ambulance station.

She said: “I only had ten days to prepare as I was replacing someone who dropped out. I really didn’t know which way it would go – it was a very close fight.”

Kerry is a semi-professional martial artist. However, if she wins her next big bout in February, she will go on to be a professional fighter.

She started kickboxing at a young age and competed at national and international championships before getting into mixed martial arts more than a year ago.

She added: “It’s a small scene for women – quite a few train in it, but not many compete.

“It’s a buzz, it gives me confidence and I find that people also respect me because I’m one of only a few women who do it.

“Colleagues seem quite fascinated by what I do, as I’m not your stereotypical cage fighter.”