Gloria ... Thai Boxe Girl Fighter of the Day
The ancient Thailand combat sport is increasingly practiced by women.
A journey into the most intimate aspects of the discipline with Gloria Peritore, Italian champion in the 55 kg category, current holder of the Oktagon title
Woman, in her thirties. By day you can meet her in the office of a big city - she works in marketing, in banking, or simply in a service company. Then, at 6pm, she rushes to the gym for her... Pilates class? No way! She's there to wear her boxing gloves and enjoy her Thai Boxe training. The number of female Thai Boxe fighters is growing fast and homogeneously in Italy. More and more women in love with this ancient discipline of Eastern origin which includes various clinching techniques, feel the lure of the ring nowadays. It's a tough sport, made of sweat, and typically male until recently. You can see them in gyms, the less glossy ones, step into the ring and work out with the boxing bag.
Gloria Peritore is one of them, in fact she is a champion in Italy. 26 years old, originally from Licata (Agrigento), but based in Florence since 2008, Gloria is the holder of Italy's female Thai boxe-Fight code title in the 55 kilograms category (the most popular indeed). She won this title in October 2014 and defended it until last December. Behind this great success lies an introverted character. With a diploma in marketing-fashion from Polimoda International Institute and currently working as an accountant for a fashion and e-commerce company situated on the banks of the Arno, Gloria boasts one of the characteristics that make great champions stand out: humility. Mediterranean appearance, hashed voice, introverted; after winning the Iska world championship in Spain in May 2014, on April 11th, 2015, she crowned the dream of all fighters at the Assago Forum in Milan: she won the Oktagon title, the ultimate fighting championship for the discipline in Italy. Thanks to this victory, she has been guaranteed access to the European championships on stage on May 16th in France.
And since the real self is generally revealed by means of communication, the following interview with Playgroundshop.com is an unusual trip into Thai Boxe. It's the story, very intimate at times, of someone who, moved by dedication, has approached this sport driven by a desire of redemption.
Gloria Peritore wearing her boxing bandages and gloves before training.
Gloria, how did you start?
I officially started to practice Thai Boxe at a competitive level in Florence in 2010; I had trained occasionally before then, but I played handball.
What is this discipline to you?
It has now become an integral part of my life, not just a sport. I can't think of myself without fighting, but neither do I see only Thai Boxe in my life.
What distinguishes female fighters from regular male fighters?
Many things. I think it is harder for women, as it is still a predominantly male sport, although it has taken hold also in the feminine variant in recent years. In the gym and in the matches, we are in a minority. If anything, in terms of media impact, we women manage to emerge thanks to the fact that we are less.
Above: a preparatory moment before the Oktagon sport event in Milan, on April, the 11th, 2015.
Have you ever been worried about being knocked out and getting hurt?
Yes, sometimes I do, but in most cases when I'm wearing my gloves I just forget about it.
How much is the discipline useful as a self-defense practice in everyday life?
Not that much, I would say 10%, I don't feel it this way. It is a sport to me, I know I couldn't defend myself against an 80kg man in the street, although I might be a bit more cold-blooded.
A woman with a bruised eye, even if caused on the ring, isn't it looked at with suspicion?
It happened to me several times. I fight without protection, I only wear shorts and gloves and so it is easy to get bruised. When it happened, people looked at me a little wary. But who cares, after all.
Gloria in a typical Thai boxe move.
Is it possible to overcome defeats or do they overwhelm you sooner or later?
They are useful, for example during the second match as a professional I did in Florence I got a very unfair kneeing by an athlete and this caused me a bad muscular injury, which dragged me on for a month. That was quite a huge shock to me, but other than this episode, I haven't experienced any other irregularities.
Is respecting opponents important to you?
There's a lot of respect among fighters; speaking of the opponent who hurt me, I happened to meet her again in June during the Oktagon selection rounds, and initially I was a bit upset, even though I had come out the winner at the time. After the third round we were in a tie, the fourth round we had to do was tough, almost nerve-wracking. But in the end we hugged and now we are friends. Lately we have also trained together.
The ring inside the Assago Forum in Milan during the Oktagon sport event.
How often do you train?
Every day, except at weekends, for two hours, not only on the ring.
How many matches do you have?
I fight once a month or once every two months.
Tell us about your trainer...
His name is Paolo Morelli, he lives in Florence, and he's been training me since 2010. I have grown with him and I'm very fond of him. I have also trained in other gyms, for example in Sicily during the Easter holidays. I notice the difference when I train with another coach, I know I have reached certain levels thanks to him, it would not be the same with someone else. He is also a spiritual master to me, we have established a relationship of mutual trust. In short, he's someone I can rely on.
Top: Gloria Peritore working out with her trainer Paolo Morelli.
Down: Gloria perfroming a front kick to her opponent during the Oktagon match on April, the 11th, 2015.
What inspired you to engage in this discipline?
I started while I was attending the Polimoda Institute, a period during which I was very happy and I don't think I started to relieve stress. Instead, I believe it was a desire for redemption, my past hadn't been that great and clear, and the ring helped me gain a bit of self confidence, as when you fight up there, you are alone.
Do you ever think you won't be able to live up to expectations during a match?
A few minutes before starting I am often very fearful. I have rushed through stages, the success I had in four years is generally achieved in twice that time, so all of my opponents are much more experienced than me.
Andrea, Gloria's partner, wrapping the bandages to his girlfriend's hands.
Since when and why do you think there has been an increase in female enrollments?
I would say a couple of years. Surely all federations have been quite active in promoting the discipline, also on social networks. And matches are often shown on TV, too, usually on Rai Sport 1 and Italia 1.
What are the regions with more female fighters?
Lombardy, Emilia Romagna and Tuscany, although I heard that there has been a boom also in Sicily, lately.
Can Italy shine in women's Thai Boxe?
I think so. French fighters are very tough nowadays, but also Italy boasts promising talents.
What is the typical profile of the woman who wears gloves after a day's work?
A working person, just like me, also because most of the classes are held after working hours. Gyms are an assorted environment, with girls and ladies of all ages from 13 years to 40.
Who is the fighter that you are most inspired by?
My model is American fighter Ronda Rousey, the first woman to enter the UFC-Ultimate fighting championship, the leading MMA federation (mixed martial arts that also include Thai Boxe, ed.) I think she's great, now she is also an actress. I would never miss out on one of her matches, unfortunately I've never had the chance to see her in person, because she lives in New York.
How important is instinct in a match, and how important is rationale, instead?
50%, you need the former to react in certain situations, but it must always be pondered. I also prepare each match mentally with Paolo, by setting a certain tactic. If I know that my next opponent is heavy and tends to tackle me, I will mentally prepare to stay focused. But instinct comes on the spur of the moment. At times you must take a deep breath and think, that's why I do a very intense mental work-out with a coach.
Is women's Thai Boxe also a symbol of an increasingly hectic lifestyle?
I would say yes, for example I'm not able to relax on the couch at home unless I have paid duty on the ring first. Society is changing increasingly towards new relaxation stimuli. At times it's a bit of a hassle training daily, I get home with a headache, but if you have a goal you just grit your teeth and carry on.
What's the atmosphere of your gym in the Isolotto neighborhood on the outskirts of Florence?
It is definitely not trendy like the big chains such as Virgin. From there to Montagnola you work very hard, you must be able to adapt and live together with fighters from other disciplines such as boxing. If you can do that, you establish good relationships with people. Indeed, in my case ...
Can you better explain?
I met Andrea, my current partner, there; he is a boxer too.
So there are no integration difficulties?
Personally, I would say no, because I have achieved goals and I have earned a lot of respect. However, I imagine that for other girls it might not be as easy to be considered as equals.
Gloria training at "La Montagnola" gym in Florence.
Do you have a lot of supporters?
More than I could ever imagine, you can hear people shouting my name in the stands during the matches. Facebook is my window on the world and newspapers articles have done the rest. I have many fans in Sicily, as some demonstrations I did in Licata earned me a lot of supporters. But I also have a lot of followers in Tuscany.
How thrilling is this for you?
It gives me lots of energy. I happened to recover strength in difficult situations as I heard the crowd screaming "Gloria, Gloria" from the stands. And often, many of them are not even my friends, but people who came for me.
Which city will you dedicate your most important trophy to, Tuscany or Sicily?
Tuscany, because I owe so much to my trainer.
Do you perform any propitiatory rites before a fight?
Actually I do have a talisman: a rosary given to me by my granny many years ago, now she's passed away. It's my good-luck charm.
You are shy in everyday life, what changes on the ring?
This sport has improved different sides of my character, I feel I have grown up. My trainer asked me to hold a sort of workshop some time ago: at first I was embarrassed, but then I felt strong.
Do you think you can teach the discipline one day?
Maybe when I quit. I'd love to pour out the passion that binds me to Thai Boxe.
A question on clothing is a must. What is your style outside the ring?
During workouts I usually wear T-shirts, leggings and cotton terry garments, but in the evening I prefer a more feminine look, in contrast to that of the gym.
And mind you, this is the only time when Gloria throws in the towel!
