McKenna 'Tiger Girl' Van Allen won the bronze medal while representing Canada at the Pan American Kickboxing Championships in Chile earlier this month.
While Van Allen has become a much-decorated fighter in Canada, this was her first test outside North America. She says it was a "cool experience."
"I had been anticipating going to the Pan Ams from the time I first started in kickboxing," she said. "It was super cool to be there and to know I was going with my plans."
Van Allen, 23, won her first tournament match against a familiar opponent from the U.S. whom she fought previously in September.
In the semi-final bout, Van Allen lost a close match against an opponent from Mexico.
"It was fun seeing all the different people from the different countries," she said. "I got to take notes and learn from the experience."
Van Allen, a Twin Lakes Secondary School graduate, says the opportunity wouldn't have been possible without the support of her teammates at Black Lotus Academy of Martial Arts and Fitness and members of the Orillia community who helped her fundraise for the event.
"It's special," she said. "I'm lucky that so many people are willing to help me achieve my dreams."
Van Allen, who also received a sponsorship from WAKO Canada, says kickboxing can be an expensive sport, and fundraising while training can be stressful.
"The support of everybody means so much," she said. "I really couldn't do it without people being there for me."
Van Allen says the bronze medal belongs to those who have supported her journey.
"To be able to medal with everyone behind me was awesome," she said. "I wanted to bring home gold, but I have some things to work on."
Van Allen is already back in the gym preparing for the next Pan American event, where she expects a better result.
"The plan is to keep going to international tournaments," she said. "Next year, I'm planning to go to the WAKO Worlds, which is in Abu Dhabi."
International tournaments are a stepping stone for Van Allen's overall goal which is to compete in ONE Championship.
Van Allen’s coach, Nic Langman, also competed at the Pan American Kickboxing Championships. The owner of Black Lotus Academy of Martial Arts and Fitness lost his first match in a "close fight."
"He did really well," Van Allen said. "Sometimes it just doesn’t go your way, but it was so cool to watch him."
For Van Allen, it was the first time that she got to watch her coach compete in person.
"It was super exciting for me," she said. "It was nice to be there for him and to support him because he's got me to where I am now."
