Sault Ste. Marie’s Cydney Mihell first tried out kick boxing three years ago.
Next month, she will be facing another female in the 135-pound category in her first kick boxing tournament.
“I like the challenge of it,” Cydney said, speaking to SooToday after a training session at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu on Lake Street.
“I never expected to be in a contact sport after being in track and field and riding horses competitively when I was younger,” said the 25-year-old.
“There’s always something to learn in kick boxing. Every day I come here I’m learning something new. It’s rewarding. It’s a really good stress reliever,” she smiled.
Stating she’s quiet by nature, Cydney said kick boxing “has helped me learn a lot about myself and be comfortable with myself. My parents were very quiet, reserved people but were very confident in their actions, and I think this has brought out that side of me. It makes me more focused and dedicated.”
Her father Bob Mihell, a retired schoolteacher and freelance news reporter, died in 2016.
Her mother Sandra Hodge, also a teacher and artist, died in 2018.
“I think having a sport in my life, in general, keeps me on track with my school schedule, getting things done and not procrastinating,” said Cydney, currently in her final year of biology studies at Algoma University.
“It’s really addicting. I tried it out once...now I train every day (sometimes twice a day, in between university classes, for about five hours a day).”
Born and raised in the Sault, the Korah Collegiate graduate started her postsecondary education at Nova Scotia’s Dalhousie University, where she enjoyed competing in track and field.
After suffering a sports injury, she quit track and field and returned to the Sault.
“I missed being in sports,” Cydney said, currently training in kick boxing with coach Vyron Phillips.
Apart from sports and a love of reading, Cydney also has a desire to travel.
“After my Dad passed away I booked a flight to India and spent a couple of months there, then I went to Indonesia and Thailand.”
“I loved the culture and the food and the people, the way of life in Asia. I’d like to live in Thailand for a while after I get my degree,” Cydney said.
Cydney will be competing in Big John’s MMA Northern Chaos competition, to be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019 at Dream Makers Theater (Kewadin Casinos) in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.
“It’s my first fight (in a tournament). I’ve been wanting to do it for a long time. It’s my ultimate goal (to be a professional kick boxer). We’ll see how things go. I’m definitely working towards that. I want to get in the ring and start getting some experience and see where it goes from there. I do love this sport,” Cydney said.
“I feel pretty confident with how far I’ve come.”