A 13-year-old girl from Carlsbad is becoming one of the best young fighters in North America. Maddie Kaufman is currently considered the top female Muay Thai fighter under 100 pounds.

Maddie is a student at Valley Middle School, but outside of school, she trains very hard in martial arts. After winning a major national competition in Delaware, she earned the chance to represent the United States at the IFMA World Championships in Greece later this year.

Surprisingly, Maddie only began taking Muay Thai seriously about three years ago. Since then, she has won many championship belts and improved quickly. In fact, she has become so skilled that she often has no competitors in her own age or weight group.

At one recent competition, Maddie had to compete against older and heavier fighters. Even though this was a big challenge, she accepted it as a chance to gain experience. In the end, she surprised everyone by winning the entire competition.

Maddie trains six days a week at a gym in Vista. She works hard to improve her strength, speed, and technique. At the gym, she also helps teach younger students in an after-school program.

Even though she is a strong and successful athlete, Maddie is very quiet and calm in her daily life. Her coach, Ahmad Ibrahim, says she is shy and gentle outside the ring.

Muay Thai is a type of martial art similar to kickboxing, but it also allows fighters to use their elbows and knees. Maddie enjoys learning these techniques and continues to improve her skills every day.

Because she is already so advanced, it is difficult for Maddie to find suitable opponents in the United States. That is one reason why she is excited to compete at the international level.

Her coach believes that Muay Thai could become an Olympic sport in the future. If that happens, he thinks Maddie could represent her country at the highest level.

For now, Maddie is focused on training and preparing for the world championships. She is especially excited to use elbow techniques in competition, something she was not allowed to do when she was younger.

Although she may seem quiet, Maddie is a powerful and determined fighter when she steps into the ring.

Vocabulary List

1. represent

Definition: to act or compete for a country or group

Example: She will represent her country at the competition.

Question: Would you like to represent your country in sports?

2. championship

Definition: an important competition to find the best player or team

Example: He won the national championship last year.

Question: What is the biggest championship you know?

3. victory

Definition: a win in a competition

Example: The team celebrated their victory.

Question: How do you feel after a victory?

4. weight class

Definition: a group in sports based on weight

Example: Fighters compete in different weight classes.

Question: Why are weight classes important in fighting sports?

5. opponent

Definition: a person you compete against

Example: She defeated her opponent

Question: What makes a strong opponent?

6. technique

Definition: a specific skill or way of doing something

Example: He improved his fighting techniques.

Question: What techniques are important in sports?

7. compete

Definition: to take part in a contest or competition

Example: She will compete in the world championships.

Question: Do you enjoy competing?

8. determined

Definition: having a strong desire to succeed

Example: She is determined to win.

Question: What helps you stay determined?

9. advanced

Definition: very skilled or developed

Example: He is an advanced player for his age.

Question: What makes someone advanced in a skill?

10. international

Definition: involving many countries

Example: The event is an international competition.

Question: Why are international events important?

Worksheet

Part 1: Fill in the Blanks

(Use: victory, represent, opponent, technique, determined)

1. She worked hard and achieved a big __________.

2. He will __________ his country in the tournament.

3. Her __________ was very strong and experienced.

4. Good __________ is important in martial arts.

5. She is very __________ to succeed.

Part 2: True or False

1. Maddie started Muay Thai ten years ago.

2. She won a national competition.

3. She always fights people her own age.

4. She trains once a week.

5. She will compete internationally.

Part 3: Short Answer Questions

1. Why is Maddie special compared to other fighters her age?

2. What challenge did she face in her recent competition?

3. How often does she train?

4. What does her coach say about her personality?

5. What are her future goals?

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think young athletes train so hard?

2. Is it better to compete with people your level or stronger opponents? Why?

3. How important is discipline in sports?

4. Do you think Muay Thai should be in the Olympics? Why or why not?

5. Can someone be quiet in daily life but strong in competition? Explain.

Optional Writing Task

Option 1:Write about a young athlete you admire. What makes them special?

Option 2:Do you think children should compete in sports at a high level? Why or why not?

Option 3:Describe a time when you worked hard to improve at something.