Nicola Maria Barke
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| Nicola Maria Barke | |
|---|---|
| Born | Nicola Maria Barke 21 August 1993 Hemel Hempstead, United Kingdom |
| Nickname(s) | The Burmese Python |
| Nationality | British, represent Myanmar |
| Height | 174 cm (5 ft 8 1⁄2 in) |
| Division | 60 – 65kg |
| Style | Lethwei, Taekwondo, Kickboxing, K-1, Muay Thai, Boxing |
| Team | Essex Fight Academy, UK |
| Trainer | Terry Steward |
| Rank | 2nd Degree Black Belt |
| Years active | 2009 - present |
| Occupation | Global Project Manager |
| University | University of West England, Bristol |
Nicola Barke (born on August 21, 1993) is a British-born martial artist of Myanmar. She is a three-sport champion: Taekwondo World Champion, Lethwei Ranked World Number 2 and British Kickboxing Champion.
Early life
Nicola was born in Hemel Hempstead, United Kingdom and has one younger sister. Her mother was born in Yangon (Rangon), Myanmar (Burma) and her father is of Italian descent. Nicola was born with Narcolepsy, a rare long-term brain condition that causes a person to suddenly fall asleep at inappropriate times. Despite being suffering with Narcolepsy throughout her childhood, she eventually grew out of this.
She was a keen ballet dancer and competed at the British Arts Awards with her dance group, Jayne Marie Dancing School (JMDS), where she secured Gold, Silver and Bronze awards.
Growing up Nicola aspired to become a doctor and undertook a Biomedical Science degree at the University of West England, Bristol. She graduated with a a first class honours degree.
Martial Arts Career
Team
- 2021 - Present: Essex Fight Academy, Essex, Terry Steward
- 2019 - 2020: Golden Team, Leeds, Padraic McDonagh
- 2014 - 2019: Storm Gym, Luton, Amir Subasic
- 2011 - 2013: Thornbury TKD, Bristol, Vaughan Buxton
- 2009 - 2011: Berkhamsted TKD, Hertfordshire, Tom Brennan
Taekwondo
Nicola started Taekwondo in 2009 and quickly moved through the ranks, achieving her 1st Degree Black Belt in 2012. She later went on to achieve her 2nd Degree Black Belt. After winning the World Championships in 2012, Nicola applied for the Great Britain "Fighting Chance" scheme, with a view to compete and qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics. However, sustained a foot injury and was deemed too liable to injury. This marked the end of her Taekwondo career and the beginning of her next chapter in martial arts.
| Taekwondo Titles Won | |||||
| Year | Title | Weight Division | Location | Tournament Fight | |
| Win | 2013 | English Champion | 65kg | Reading, England | Yes |
| Win | 2012 | World Champion | 60kg | Ottawa, Canada | Yes |
| Win | 2012 | Welsh Champion | 60kg | Cardiff, Wales | Yes |
| Win | 2011 | Scottish Champion | 60kg | Glasgow, Scotland | Yes |
| Win | 2011 | English Champion | 60kg | Reading, England | Yes |
| Win | 2011 | British Champion | 60kg | Oxford, England | Yes |
| Win | 2011 | Mediterranean Champion | 60kg | Naples, Italy | No |
| Win | 2011 | Welsh Champion | 60kg | Cardiff, Wales | Yes |
| Win | 2010 | British Champion | 60kg | Oxford, England | Yes |
| Win | 2009 | British Chamoion | 60kg | Oxford, England | Yes |
Professional: Lethwei (Burmese Boxing), Kickboxing and K-1
Nicola is the first female from the UK to ever compete in Lethwei on World Lethwei Championship which is also viewable on Amazon Prime
| Martial Art | Title | Opponent | Weight | Promotion | Location | |
| Win | Unanimous Decison | - | Bianka Bajalti | 63kg | World Lethwei Championship | Mandalay, Myanmar |
| Win | Unanimous Decision | WKO British Kickboxing Title | Claire Clements | 64kg | Super Fight Series | Brentwood, England |
| Loss | Split Decision | - | Katie Rand | 63kg | Muay Thai Grand Prix | Indigo O2, England |
| Win | Unanimous Decision | - | Jo Price | 60kg | Super Fight Series | York Hall, Englad |
| Win | Unanimous Decision | - | Hannah Turner | 60kg | Super Fight Series | York Hall, England |
| Win | Unanimous Decision | - | Zhang Ye | 60kg | EM Legend | Chengdu, China |
| Win | Unanimous Decision | - | Michaela Varela | 65kg | - | Albufeira, Portugal |
Professional: Boxing
Nicola has recently started training in pure Boxing under the watchful eye of Terry Steward and anticipating her Professional debut in 2021.
Modelling Career
Nicola is currently represented by Atmosphere Faces and has featured in:
| Commercial Appearances | |||||
| Year | Company | Advert | Role | Agency | |
| 2020 | Balenciaga | New Zen Shoes | Athlete - in yellow shoes | Holly Cullen | |
| 2020 | Sports Direct | Christmas 2020 | Boxer - in red hand wraps | Atmosphere Faces | |
| 2018 | HSBC | In the ring with a Kickboxer Banker | Lead | HSBC | |
Championships and accomplishments
- Taekwondo World Champion
- Olympic GB Taekwondo Selections
- Lethwei (Burmese Boxing) World Ranked #2
- First UK Female to compete in Lethwei
- British Kickboxing Champion
- British Ballet Champion
References
External links
This article "Nicola Maria Barke" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical. Articles taken from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be accessed on Wikipedia's Draft Namespace.