PRESS RELEASE: The Rise of Female Fighters in Australian Muay Thai
Muay Thai in Australia is undergoing a powerful transformation. Once perceived as a male-dominated discipline, the sport is now being shaped by a new generation of women – athletes, coaches, business owners, and promoters – who are leaving their mark both inside and outside the ring.
One of those voices is Frankie Hosking, founder of Cairns-based Muay Thai brand Feud Fight Gear, who has witnessed the rise of women in Muay Thai firsthand.
“Muay Thai is no longer just a sport for men,” Frankie says. “Everywhere you look, women are filling gyms, stepping into the ring, and running fight promotions. It’s inspiring to see, and I think we’re only scratching the surface of how far females will take this sport.”
The surge in female participation is evident in gyms across the country, where women are no longer the minority in classes. For many, Muay Thai offers both the empowerment of fitness and the thrill of competition.
But Frankie believes it’s also about representation. “For years, women had to wear gear designed for men, or accept that they weren’t really part of the culture of Muay Thai. That’s changing now. When women see other women training, competing, and leading, it changes everything.”
This cultural shift has been reflected in Feud’s own growth, with a majority of its affiliates now female athletes.
The impact isn’t only being felt in the gyms. Women are increasingly visible in leadership roles that once seemed out of reach in combat sports.
“What excites me most is that women aren’t just competing, they’re shaping the sport itself,” Frankie explains. “Whether that’s through running promotions, coaching, or building businesses, it shows that women are claiming their space and helping the sport grow in the process.”
That inclusivity resonates with athletes on the ground. One Muay Thai practitioner, Shallen, put it simply: “I’m glad these spaces exist, and I have no doubt that you will pave the way for more inclusivity in Muay Thai.”
As for Feud, Frankie sees her role as contributing to this broader movement rather than leading it. The brand recently sponsored professional fighter Dori Duncan, a move Frankie describes as “an investment in the future of the sport.” Frankie has previously sponsored WBC International Champion Bryony Soden.
“Dori and Bryony are the kind of fighters who inspires others,” she says. “Backing athletes like them is about showing the next generation that there’s real support for women in Muay Thai.”
Duncan And Soden aren’t alone. Promoters like Nakia Wright of MTL and Carley Gangell of Pride Fight Series are also setting the standard for women’s leadership in combat sports, creating more opportunities and visibility for female fighters across Australia.
“The sport is evolving,” Frankie says. “With women fighting, promoting, and leading, Muay Thai in Australia is becoming more inclusive, more diverse, and ultimately stronger. I think the best is still ahead of us.”
