Dynamite comes in small packages
Cassandra Le Roux is climbing the MMA world rankings.
She has swapped the ballroom for the hexagon and is making a name for herself in the fighting world of MMA (mixed martial arts).
This is Cassandra Le Roux (21) from Sunnyrock.
The feisty 21-year-old was recently ranked 28th in the world rankings (men and women) by IMMAF (International Mixed Martial Arts Federation) and has just returned from the IMMAF World Championships which were held in Bahrain.
The Quan University (in Bryanston) student did extremely well at the championships making it to the semi-finals of her division.
She competed in the adult section in the flyweight category as she had just turned 21 so couldn’t compete as a junior.
“Even though I was the youngest competitor in my division it was an amazing experience,” Le Roux said.
“I lost the semi-final by judges’ decision and took home a bronze medal.”
Le Roux has been doing MMA for the past seven years.
She started doing boxing when she was a Grade Nine learner at Hoërskool Vryburger High School and then moved into jujitsu.
From there she said it was a natural progression into MMA.
“I was a champion Latin American and ballroom dancer and I fell in love with the sport, as just like dancing, it is extremely technical.
“I have always been one to sit and work on a particular technique for hours until I perfect it,” she said.
“The sport is constantly evolving and I gain a lot of life experience from it.”
Le Roux trains three to four times a day from Mondays to Thursdays with one main session on a Friday.
“My coach Richie Quan is amazing and I wouldn’t be where I am now if it wasn’t for him,” she said.
She also trains students at the club and next year she will be training children in a “bully-proofing” course at a gym in Boksburg.
“I love working with children and it’s important for them to build confidence and be able to protect themselves,” she said.
One of the things about the sport Le Roux said is difficult is the injuries as sometimes it is difficult to train and work through them.
However, this does not deter her and she has a specific plan with regard to her MMA career for the next three years.
“I have been invited to compete at all the international competitions and once I have won gold twice I will consider going professional,” she said.
Le Roux said for her each fight is different.
“I normally get nervous before a fight and my coach will calm me down but at the world champs I just felt excited.
“I think I was more nervous about the plane trip there,” she said.
“Even when I lost my semi-final I was still happy and excited to be there.
“I had so much fun.”
Le Roux has been awarded Springbok Colours for MMA and is looking forward to a career in the sport.
In order to make this a reality, she does need sponsorship.
Anyone who would like to help further her career can contact her mother Dee on 081 463 0115.
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