SOPHIA MICHAELIS
2023 MBA Fighter of the Year
Ex-Army Quartermaster, Combat Sports devotee, Masters of Teaching, Captain Mum
How can someone who started boxing 12 months ago be named Masters Boxing Australia's Fighter of the Year? That's no ordinary feat. But Sophia Michaelis is no ordinary boxer. Perhaps her mother summed it up best when, in Sophia's early 20's she 'had a go at her' by saying, "with you, it's all or nothing".
Sophia was born in Melbourne, but her childhood was spent on the Wheat Trail, traversing through Charters Towers to a cattle station in Kingaroy. At age 18, she joined the army and became a quartermaster storeman. She has a Masters Degree in Teaching (Mathematics) and teaches at Western Cape College in the far north of Queensland.
Judo: "similar except for being punched in the face"
Sophia is typically self-effacing when she mentions having "done Judo for 30 years". That says a lot about her level of commitment and dedication, making a sideways move to boxing a perfect fit. While she's "always done sport", of judo she says with a wry chuckle, "you're there on your own, standing in front of someone and having to combat them, it's similar to boxing except for being punched in the face".
The steep climb into the ring.
After being invited to come along to the Cape York Boxing Club, where she met coach/trainer Scotty Wallace, Sophia also met two other masters boxers there - Lisa Stamm and Scott Barton. She had only been boxing four or five months with a small amount of sparring when she said to Scotty, "what do I have to do to have a fight?". Scotty had been waiting for her to say that. There was a fight night coming up in Cairns but no one for Sophia to fight. After an exhibition bout with a much younger female fighter, Sophia heard about masters events from another coach and, with one exhibition fight under her belt, joined MBA and nominated for the Oceania Combat and Cadet Class Titles in August 2023. Speaking to matchmaker Jack Boote, Sophia was excited to hear she would have not one but two fights at the tournament. And she did.
Two tough fights. Two emphatic wins.
Tahnee Day is a very good masters fighter and more experienced than Sophia. Having fought and lost in one bout, Tahnee was keen for a win. Sophia was battling the bright lights of the ring and her breathing, but she dug in and managed to get a standing 8 count before taking the fight to win. She says, "it wasn't an easy fight”, and the win surprised her, but win she did.
The next day delivered another tough female opponent, Queensland's Tracy Rush. Rush by name, rush by nature. Tracy's boxing style is to take it to her opponent with a relentless push forward. Mining the experience of the day before, Sophia was more settled and able to focus on her game plan. Tracy is an open class fighter, so this was for a coveted MBA open class championship belt, which Sophia won.
Take the fight and demonstrate the courage.
When asked what advice she would give other female masters boxers, Sophia says "if there is a (boxing) club, have a go. Build your confidence and know that you are capable of more than you realise. To go to a masters tournament you must first make the commitment. Stepping through the ropes takes courage and everyone who does is already a champion. Take the fight and demonstrate the courage you have.
On MBA events Sophia cites the camaraderie and enjoyment of a masters tournament, surrounded by people who support each other. No one is walking around with egos. It's a great atmosphere to be a part of.
What does the future hold?
Having found her niche in masters boxing at 47 years of age, Sophia hopes to box "for quite a while" and have "as many fights as possible" and "be good at it". Somehow this doesn't seem too much of a stretch of the imagination! Congratulations Sophia Michaelis. MBA's 2023 Female Fighter of the Year.
With thanks to Sophia Michaelis for sharing her story with us. Sophia also features in the MBA Super Mums article in the 2023 Courage Club Annual, where you can find out why she is 'Captain Mum'.