An Interview with Jorina Baars – part 2
Jorina Baars training in a weight vest
If you missed it, click here for An interview with Jorina Baars (Part 1) where we spoke to Jorina about her experience with Lion Fight, and her upcoming fight against Anke Van Gestel.
Can you give us a prediction of how you think the fight will play out?
“Win for me of course!! If you step in the ring or cage and think “I can maybe win”. Please go home! You step in the ring for the win!”
We should have expected you to say that really!
Now, you've had some MMA experience, Do you intend to pursue this sport further or are you solely focused on Muay Thai now? (now that you can get fights)
“I loved MMA as well, but I can't train and fight MMA anymore. So I focus now total on Muay Thai”
Muay Thai fans will be happy! How, when and why did you first start martial arts?... And at what stage did you realize you wanted to fight?
“I start training when I was 7 and my coach asked me why will you start training. My answer was "I want be Dutch youth champion!" When I was 12 I fought my first fights and I won the Dutch youth title. After that, at 15 I had to fight the adults. Normally that is when you are 16 but I had no opponents anymore in youth class. So my coach asked me what's next? "I will be Dutch adult champion"
And I did it!”
Jorina Baars at age 12, 15 and 23
“Later when I was 16-17 years old I won European and world championship. I always say if you will be the best you need to beat the best!”
When you were growing up, were there any fighters that inspired you?
“Yes Lucia Rijker, Peter Aerts and Ernesto Hoost are my favorites. But when I see full Muay Thai, Ramon Dekkers and Rob Kaman are also my favorites! Very powerful fighters!!! I learned a lot from watching their fights.”
The Netherlands is known for its Muay Thai fighters, what is it about training and fighting in your country that is different to the rest of the world?
“I think in Holland we have all round fighters. So if I stand against a good boxer I do more kicking and when I stand against a Thai, like the fight with Nong Thoom I do more boxing.”
Jorina Baars vs Katrin Dirheimer 2012
Last question! You work as the head of security at a nightclub in Amsterdam, do you have any funny or embarrassing stories you'd care to share?
“After my Cyborg fight, there was a Brazilian man who wants a picture with me but he was shy to ask me. So he goes to my colleague and asked him for a picture with me.. Hihi”
Awww that’s cute
“And I see a lot of stupid things! Some people who are too drunk are idiots for sure! One of them had a poo next to the door!!!! Ok to much information now Hihi”
Oh dear, that is funny!
Thank you so much for joining us Jorina, we are extremely honoured that you gave us this time! We love watching you fight and can't wait to see you defend your title on September 5th at Lion Fight. Do you have any thank you's or shout outs you would like to make to close the interview?
“Thank you for this interview!!!! I will thank my gym SportsArt Den Helder and my coaches!!
And I will thank my sponsors…
ProSupps
Sherton
PPS-security
Essimo fightgear
And I’m always looking for new sponsors ;)”