MESA, Ariz. — In the ring in the middle of Dan’s Gym in Mesa, Tierra Brandt spars with her coach - and dad - Dan Brandt.
It’s something they do every day, and soon they’ll be putting the training to showcase in Paris.
“Some kids start out playing soccer or basketball, volleyball. I started when I was - when I was this big,” Tierra said gesturing about hip height. “Punching people.”
Tierra, who’s now 22 years old, is a professional Muaythai fighter. Tierra is from a family of fighters - both her dad, Dan and mom Desiree Brandt, fought in the past.
“She got to see her mother train and fight,” Dan said. “And she said, ‘I want to fight like mom.’”
That first fight came when she was 11. Now, she trains full-time and competes around the world.
The next opportunity will take her to Paris to be part of a showcase for Muaythai on the world stage amidst the Paris 2024 Olympics. However, she won't be competing for meals as the sport is not officially part of the medaling sports at the games this year.
“Basically be kind of like an exhibition sport to get viewership, basically, for hopefully, the next Olympics, if not future ones,” Tierra said.
Tierra is one of two athletes chosen to represent USA Muaythai. Dan will be going as coach.
“It’s huge, it’s everything,” Tierra said. “You see Olympic sports, and that's, that's the peak for athleticism, and all you know, the best athletes go to those and for the longest time, Muaythai wasn't in it. So we - our goal was, you know, to work as close as we could, to get into those games eventually. And now, you know, we're a little step closer.”
Getting a sport they love into the spotlight amidst the Olympics, is bringing hopes that the world stage will allow others to see the tradition behind the punches.
“It’s an ancient martial art from Siam, which is now Thailand, and it comes from, like a military art that they created to defend their, you know, their land, against invading countries,” Dan said.
To help raise funds for the experience, a fundraiser is being hosted Saturday, July 27 at The Copper House in Chandler. More information can be found here.
The focus now is continuing training before flying to Paris. The exhibition is scheduled for Aug. 5 and Aug. 6.
“This gives us a big opportunity to demonstrate the sport and showcase the skills of Muaythai. So we're very excited. We're honored,” Dan said.
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