Local martial arts athlete back on the world stage

• Published date: 25 April 2024
• Publication title: Central Otago News

Last year, the Cromwell College year 10 pupil squared up for the first time against the best in the world at a series of United States competitions

She brought home three state championship belts and North American Grappling Association (Naga) world championship silver and bronze medals.

Two weeks ago, she got her father and training partner Marcus Mulholland in a chokehold that dislocated his jaw.

Last week, the nine-year veteran of Brazilian jujitsu, kickboxing and mixed martial arts, spent the second week of her term one school holidays going for gold in the expert division of the Naga world championships.

‘‘She is very, very dangerous. She also beat me last week. That is a big trophy ... and sparked a celebration from me,’’ her Cromwell coach Jason Magnago-Smith told the Central Otago News — sparking a grin from Shyla.

‘‘I’m ready,’’ she said.

Shyla has been training hard the last six months for her second tilt at world domination.

‘‘I train every day for two and a-half hours, between 6pm and 8.30pm after school ... I will be switching to more mixed martial arts after this [competition],’’ she said.

Mr Mulholland, said his daughter typically wore a ‘‘poker face’’ while competing and accepted a win or loss with equal calmness.

‘‘She never makes a big deal out of the result,’’ he said.

He had faith his daughter would win a world championship in age group or adult competition...