Brakpan’s Leigh Jordaan walked away with the Sports Achiever of the Year title at the Ekurhuleni Women in Sports Awards last Friday.
The 18-year-old mixed martial arts star saw off competition from Nompulelo Nyandeni (football) and Ntokozo Gumede (athletics).
“It (the feeling of winning) was out of this world. I’m so proud. I felt thankful and terrified at the same time,” she said.
She laughs when she thinks about the awards.
“One guy asked me if I was there for modelling. No way, I might model one day but now I’m a fighter.”
The youngster has been competing in the world of MMA for two years but has already made an impact.
Last year, she came first at the South African Junior Championships and second at the senior version.
She dreams of competing professionally one day.
“I’m satisfied with my progress for now but hopefully I’ll get into EFC (Extreme Fighting Championship) and then UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) later,” says the local youngster.
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Jordaan clearly has a passion for the sport to which she was introduced to by a friend.
“I started with kickboxing and then I was convinced to try MMA,” she said.
“I became the only girl at Xtreme Kickboxing Technologies. At first the men were extra careful training with me but they soon realised that I can handle the hard training,” she said.
While Jordaan hopes to fight professionally one day, she is keen to take a year off in 2021.
“I will be working in the Netherlands for a year. I got a job as an au pair,” said the matric learner.
She plans to come back to South Africa to continue with her MMA career as she hopes to follow the path of her favourite fighter Gezary Matuda.
While her talent is there for all to see, Jordaan wants things to improve for her and fellow women athletes.
“Women should have more recognition than what they are getting now. We should be on the same level as men.”
While MMA is her favourite sport, Jordaan does enjoy a number of physical activities.
“I like jogging. I have done cheerleading and played netball. I like to be very active,” she said.
One wonders how difficult it was for her to switch from those sports to the world of MMA.
“It is weird and difficult in the beginning. But you learn with time. I do struggle with confidence at times and I kept blaming myself but the confidence has improved as I keep on training,” said the young fighter.
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