By Joseph Pimentel
FEBRUARY 1, 2008
Asianjournal.com
Prized Pinay Fighter
SHE was set to fight in the undercard of piano and hula but I wanted to do gymnastics
the World Muay Thai Championships at the and karate. I was a real active kid. My mom
Las Vegas Hilton last Jan. 12. However, an eye wanted me to grow up a certain way.”
injury prevented FilAm Christine Toledo from Beginnings
avenging one of her two losses in her career, It wasn’t until college at San Francisco State
this one against Maiko Katsuyama. University and having her former boyfriend
Toledo is disappointed at the Nevada Athletic that she pursued training in the martial arts.
Commission. “They never had a problem with She began Muay Thai training with instructor
me before,” she said. “I fought with contacts all Kru Sam from Team USA in the Bay Area. Her
the time but I guess, they are stricter now.” trainers said that she had a natural talent so she
To be able to fight in Nevada and California began to train harder.
again, Toledo needs to undergo refractive eye “This is something that I’ve always wanted to
surgery, a procedure for military personnel. do,” she said. “Muay Thai became a passion.”
Killer looks In 2002, she scored her first win against
Looking at Toledo, one would think she’s a Jennifer Kelly by unanimous decision at
typical regular gal. Wearing blue jeans, a black the Hollywood Park Race and Casino in Los
leather jacket and sporting glasses, she looks Angeles.
like the Pinay version of singer Lisa Loeb. But Her mother, who had disapproved of her
don’t let her looks fools you. martial arts venture, attended the event.
Toledo may look meek on the outside but “She wasn’t happy with the idea but she
deep down, she is a Muay Thai Champion ready came to my first fight,” said Toledo. “She became
to kick butt. more comfortable once she saw how I handled
“My co-workers get surprised when they myself in the ring.”
find out that I’m a Muay Thai expert,” she said in “It’s a rush,” Toledo said. She added that
an interview with the Asian Journal inside the there’s nothing like being inside the ring.
Planet Hollywood Casino in Las Vegas. “They Toledo racked up eight wins in a row before
joke with me all the time. They say, ‘If I ever get a knee injury led to her first defeat. She tore her
in trouble, you’ll be my bodyguard. I’m taking ACL on her left knee when training for a match
you with me to the parking lot.” World Kickboxing Association (WKA) US Title against Katsuyama. The knee eventually gave
“I like that,” she admits. “I like seeing people’s and another world title. She has also been out on her during the fight and the referee
reaction when they find out [I’m a fighter].” featured in a documentary and reality television stopped the match.
Toledo works as a marketing manager at an series about Muay Thai. Toledo is now getting back into gear since
energy company in Las Vegas during the day. Despite all of her accomplishments, Toledo suffering that knee injury in 2005.
She moonlights as a Muay Thai fighter sporting said there is still more to be done. After losing a tough match in Thailand, Toledo
a professional record of 11 wins, two losses and “The titles are great but I want to be is on a three consecutive victories streak.
4 KO’s at night. recognized by the larger governing bodies,” she She carries with her life lessons that her
The 30-year-old Pinay enjoys her anonymity. said. mother taught her.
But get her inside the ring, and she’s a It’s this goal that drives her. “Looking back, I get my drive from my mom,”
completely different person. Her opponents Inspiration she said. “Everything that I’ve been doing not
call her the “blade.” Toledo said her greatest source of inspiration just fighting is from my mom. I just look back
Muay Thai is a combination of kickboxing is her mother. Born in Norfolk, Virginia and at how hard working she was taking care of me
and boxing which includes the use of the raised in San Diego, Toledo said that she grew and my brothers while we were growing up.”
elbows and knees. up in a typical Filipino household. Toledo plans to have a busy fight schedule
“I’m known for my elbows,” she said. “My brothers and I were Navy, military brats,” this year. She knows that she is getting older
Toledo has fought professionally for the past she said. “My dad was in the Navy and my mom but she wants to finish her career off strong. She
eight years in the US and around the world. She was a nurse.” added that once she has corrective eye surgery,
has fought in Thailand, Great Britain and hopes When her parents divorced, her mother she will have fights lined up in February and
to one day compete in front of her kababayans raised them by herself. May.
in the Philippines. She trains everyday after “It was tough for her,” she said. “It was hard for She hopes to encourage more Filipino
work for three to four a hours a day. me to adjust to that.” women to join Muay Thai.
The World International Kickboxing Growing up, Toledo’s mother did not allow “Filipino women don’t have to be typical
Association (WIKBA) ranks her anywhere her to participate in rigorous sports activity. housewives who just sit around and take care of
between the No. 1 and No. 3 female in her “She wanted me to be the girl that she their home,” she said. “Women can do [martial
weight division in the world. She holds the wanted me to be. I did tap dancing, played the arts] too.” (AJ)
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