Welcome to Day 12 of our "12 Days of Pretty" series! As we wrap up this festive journey, we take a moment to reflect on the incredible year we've had at Pretty Top Team Gym. From new classes and personal bests to community events and unforgettable moments, 2024 has been a year of growth, achievement, and camaraderie. Join us as we celebrate the milestones, the memories, and the many ways we've all become stronger together. Here's to the highlights of 2024 and to many more years of fitness, fun, and friendship at Pretty Top Team!
January
In January, we kicked off the second year of business with a bang! The expansion of Pretty Top Team Gym was completed, doubling our space and enhancing our facilities to better serve our growing community. This milestone was celebrated with our annual End of Year Awards Party, where we honored the dedication and achievements of our members. Additionally, we held a BJJ grading, marking an important step in the journey of our BJJ practitioners. We were thrilled to see several members receive their first stripes, a testament to their hard work and progress. January set a strong tone for the year, and we couldn’t be more excited for what lies ahead!
February
February marked the beginning of this year's first "Build a Fighter" training camp, commencing on February 5th. This initiative promises to nurture and refine the skills of aspiring athletes, fostering a new generation of talented fighters within our community. Stay tuned as we continue to forge ahead with passion and dedication in the months to come!
Our momentum continued with exciting developments at Pretty Top Team Gym. Head Coach Paul achieved a significant milestone by earning his first stripe in BJJ, underscoring his commitment to continuous growth and leadership. We also introduced our highly anticipated one-on-one private classes, offering personalized training experiences tailored to individual goals and needs.
On the media front, Coach Mikey launched the inaugural episode of his video podcast "In Between the Ropes," featuring an insightful conversation with Head Coach and Owner Paul. They delved into "The Pretty Process," discussing the intricacies of building combat sports skills and what Coach Paul looks for in a fighter.
March
March was a month of empowerment and achievement at Pretty Top Team Gym. In celebration of International Women’s Day, we hosted a free Muay Thai class exclusively for women, reaffirming our commitment to equality with a balanced 50/50 ratio of male to female members.
In the competitive arena, Martyna showcased her skills at the Dojo Storm Martial Arts Tournament in Townsville. Martyna's victory was nothing short of spectacular, clinching the win with her trademark killer knees and elbows, representing our gym with pride.
Moreover, our young boxing enthusiasts reached new heights as they graded up, demonstrating their dedication and progress in the sport. March was a testament to the diverse talents and inclusive spirit that define our community at Pretty Top Team Gym.
April
April was a month of intense training, competition, and triumph for the Pretty Team at Pretty Top Team Gym. Our owners, Frankie and Paul, along with Coach Jessie, Coach Caleb, and Bella, embarked on a journey to Phuket. There, they immersed themselves in rigorous training sessions with local Muay Thai experts, gaining valuable insights and honing their skills to bring back to our community. Notably, Coach Caleb also made a mark by stepping into the ring at Rawai Boxing Stadium and securing a victory in his local fight.
Back on home ground, Coach Alex showcased his skills in a local brown belt super match for gi BJJ, displaying his technical prowess and sportsmanship. Hayden, competing in the white belt no-gi division, triumphed with a submission victory, while Alec, despite a hard-fought effort lost by decision. An amazing expression of his skill however.
Meanwhile, in Townsville, Coach Alec, Hayden, and Bruce represented Pretty Top Team Gym at the Trident tournaments for BJJ. Coach Alec emerged as a standout performer, earning two gold medals in his weight category and the black/brown belt division. Hayden also shone with a gold medal victory, while Bruce demonstrated his skill with a bronze medal finish. April was indeed a month of achievements and growth, highlighting the dedication and talent within our gym's community.
May
May was a month of exhilarating achievements and intense competition for Pretty Top Team Gym. Coach Elisha and Marlin showcased their skills at the prestigious NQ Games for boxing, both emerging victorious in their respective weight classes, highlighting their dedication and prowess in the ring.
The culmination of our "Build a Fighter" training camp was a resounding success, with participants progressing from beginners to stepping into their first proper fights. The event featured amazing matchups, providing fantastic entertainment and serving as a testament to everyone's hard work and determination. We were honored to host fighters from various gyms, including Gen'Dai Thai Boxing, Only Human Muay Thai, MaXenergy Fitness, The Den Muay Thai, and Oceanic Martial Arts Academy, who traveled to Cairns to compete.
Additionally, our community rallied together to raise $3,000 at the bar for the Combat Sports Association Inc. These funds will support initiatives in Cairns, including improving access to combat sports for lower-income families, educational seminars with experts, and subsidies for participation.
Our journey took us to Adelaide for Pride Fight Series 5, a premier Muay Thai promotion in South Australia. Amy and Caleb headlined the event, with Martyna and Hamish also showcasing their skills on the undercard. Despite challenges, our team demonstrated resilience and skill, with Amy securing a hard-fought victory against a formidable opponent, and Caleb claiming a majority win in his bout.
Back in North Queensland, Coach Alec excelled in the NQ Regional Judo Open in Innisfail, earning a silver medal and adding to our gym's growing list of accomplishments.
Coach Myles battled valiantly in a tough five-round bout at "Pandemonium" for the ISKA Australia Title, ultimately falling short against a highly skilled opponent. His performance was a testament to his resilience and determination in the ring.
May was a month of growth, community spirit, and remarkable achievements for Pretty Top Team Gym, reinforcing our commitment to excellence in combat sports and the development of our athletes.
June
June has been a month filled with milestones, celebrations, and community engagement at Pretty Top Team Gym. We're thrilled to announce that BJJ coach Mikey achieved his blue belt, a well-deserved recognition of his dedication and skill in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Our BJJ grading ceremony was a momentous occasion, with Paul, Alex, Troy, Hayden, Bruce, Kade, and Kaylee all earning new stripes on their belts, marking their progress and commitment to mastering their craft. Additionally, our wrestlers Jeff, Bruce, Hayden, and Troy also demonstrated their prowess, earning well-deserved advancements.
The Build a Fighter Awards Party was a highlight, honoring the achievements of everyone who participated in last month's fights. It was a time to celebrate successes, reflect on growth, and strengthen the camaraderie within our gym community.
In support of Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, we hosted a special FREE class open to men and teen boys aged 12 and up. This session combined boxing and grappling techniques, providing not only physical activity but also a supportive environment for open conversation and camaraderie.
On the international front, owners Frankie and Paul, along with Coaches Mikey and Elisha, embarked on a business trip to Rarotonga. They engaged in training sessions with a local gym, exchanged expertise, and reconnected with family roots, making the trip a blend of business and personal growth.
Additionally, Paul, Elisha, and Marlin traveled to Canberra to attend a national development camp for boxing at the Australian Institute of Sport. This prestigious event provided valuable training opportunities and the chance to meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, highlighting the importance of this camp in the national boxing community.
June has been a month of growth, recognition, and community outreach at Pretty Top Team Gym, reinforcing our commitment to excellence in combat sports and the well-being of our members and community.
July
July was a quieter month for Pretty Top Team Gym, but it was no less eventful or exciting. We hosted our first annual Muay Fit Games, where members competed in various challenges to earn the title of Muay Fit Champion. Organized by Coach Jessie, the event was a fantastic success, showcasing the strength, skill, and camaraderie of our gym community.
In competition news, our fighters participated in the Dojo Storm Tournament in Townsville. We saw two wins and one loss in boxing and Muay Thai, demonstrating the continued dedication and hard work of our athletes.
July may have been quieter, but it was filled with memorable moments and achievements that continued to build our gym's spirit and success.
August
August brought some thrilling highlights for Pretty Top Team Gym, starting with a spectacular victory by our beloved Coach "Mighty Myles" in his Muay Thai fight at Aggression Thai Boxing in Brisbane. Myles secured a stunning TKO, and it was heartwarming to see his supporters cheering him on, proudly wearing their "Mighty Myles" merchandise. Brodie also stepped into the ring, putting up a valiant fight despite the loss. He’s already gearing up for another chance in just four weeks at our Build to Fight Night.
Back at the gym, we celebrated the completion of our incredible grappling mural, which now graces the wall with vibrant energy. This project was the brainchild of Coach Paul and was brought to life by the talented hands of Coach Jessie and Kaitlyn. The mural not only adds artistic flair to our space but also symbolizes the spirit and dedication of our grappling community.
At the prestigious Golden Gloves boxing competition in Brisbane, Pretty Top Team Gym sent three determined contenders to represent us. Marlin fought fiercely, losing in a close match by split points, while Elisha also put up a strong fight but ultimately didn't secure the win. However, Harvey shined, emerging victorious and bringing home a well-deserved win. The competition highlighted the grit and skill of our fighters, demonstrating their dedication to the sport.
September
In September, we wrapped up *Build a Fighter 6* with a fantastic show, raising an incredible $2,000 for the Combat Sports Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the growth of combat sports. It was inspiring to witness the remarkable progress everyone made over the 16-week training program. Congratulations to Team Mighty and Team Gadget for their outstanding achievements—your hard work and dedication truly shone through.
As one challenge ends, another begins! The next Build a Boxer challenge kicked off at the end of September, launching a new 12-week journey for aspiring boxers to train, grow, and compete. We're excited to see where this next chapter takes our fighters!
September also saw Pretty Top Team Gym shine at the FNQ Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) Championships. Our athletes delivered outstanding performances, with Hayden securing both a gold and a bronze, Alex taking home gold, and Bruce earning a bronze. Juan impressed with two silver medals, demonstrating his skill across multiple divisions. Unfortunately, Freddie didn’t have a match in his division, but his readiness and commitment were still commendable.
It was a fantastic showing for our BJJ team, and these results highlight the hard work and dedication of our athletes.
October
In October, Pretty Top Team Gym hosted the first-ever SparBBQ Development Day, a fundraising event in support of the Combat Sports Association. This unique combination of sparring and a BBQ drew a fantastic crowd, with over 100 spectators and more than 20 competitors participating in 40+ bouts of Muay Thai and boxing. The atmosphere was electric as athletes showcased their skills in a friendly yet competitive environment.
The event raised an impressive $3,000, which will be reinvested into combat sports across Far North Queensland through sponsorships, seminars, and development days, further supporting the growth and development of the sport in our region. The SparBBQ was a huge success, and we’re excited to see how it continues to benefit the local combat sports community!
Also in October, Mighty Coach Myles took on an incredible challenge, competing for the WBC Super Bantamweight Queensland Title at the Destiny 26 Muay Thai event in Brisbane. Although he didn’t secure the win, it was an exceptionally close fight that highlighted Muay Thai at its highest level. Myles delivered a performance that reflected his dedication, skill, and the heart he brings to both his own fighting and coaching at Pretty Top Team. A true display of high-performance Muay Thai!
October was packed with action as Pretty Top Team Gym took a full busload of fighters to the Dojo Storm tournament in Townsville. In boxing, Elisha and Harvey showcased their skills and secured wins in their sparring exhibitions, while Alex fought hard but didn’t come out on top this time, but a real valiant display. In Muay Thai, we had some fantastic performances: Che, Aidan, and Cameron all claimed victories, demonstrating the strength and skill of our team. Eloise, Oisin, and Nicole also put up admirable fights, even though they didn’t take home wins this time.
It was a memorable trip, filled with hard-fought battles, team spirit, and valuable experience for everyone who stepped into the ring.
November
November was an exciting month for Pretty Top Team. We traveled to Brisbane for Aggression Thai Boxing, where Cameron secured a decisive win. Caleb displayed immense courage in his fight, but Coach Paul made the responsible decision to throw in the towel to ensure his safety.
In Adelaide, the Combat Sports Association sponsored its first Muay Thai athlete, Aidan, to compete in the Pride Fight Series, alongside other Pretty fighters. Aidan delivered an outstanding performance, securing a win. Nicole and Brayden also achieved impressive victories, while Bella fought a close battle but lost by split decision.
November showcased the skill, determination, and care that define our team, both in and out of the ring.
December
December 14th was a memorable day at Pretty Top Team as we celebrated the conclusion of the Build a Boxer Challenge. Participants weighed in and showcased their skills in an exciting series of boxing matches. Congratulations to Team Eli and Team Jono for their incredible effort and growth throughout the challenge!
The event also featured thrilling bouts from returning Build a Fighter challengers and fighters from other gyms, including The Den Muay Thai, Fusion Innisfail, and Only Human Muay Thai, adding to the competitive spirit of the day.
We’re proud to share that the event raised $2,000 for the Combat Sports Association, helping to further support the growth and development of combat sports in our community. A fantastic way to close out the year!
As we wrap up an incredible 2024, we want to take a moment to thank every member, coach, supporter, and partner who has been part of Pretty Top Team’s journey this year. From unforgettable wins to hard-fought battles, new challenges, and milestones, this year has been nothing short of inspiring. Together, we’ve grown stronger, built lasting connections, and supported each other in and out of the ring.
Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited for another year of progress, passion, and community. With new goals to chase, challenges to conquer, and lessons to learn, we’re ready to take Pretty Top Team to even greater heights. Thank you for being part of this journey—here’s to a thriving 2025 filled with hard work, camaraderie, and success. Let’s make it our best year yet!
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