Nili Block (Hebrew: נילי בלאק; born January 16, 1995) is a professional Muay Thai and kickboxing fighter. She is a four-time Muay Thai and two-time kickboxing world champion representing Israel.[1][2][3]
| Nili Block | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | January 16, 1995 Baltimore, Maryland, United States | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Native name | נילי בלאק | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residence | Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nationality | Israeli American | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Style | Muay Thai, Kickboxing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Teacher(s) | Benny Cogan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trainer | Eddie Yusopov | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Early life
editBorn in Baltimore, Maryland, in the United States, Nili is one of six siblings [4][2][5][3][6] to a dentist father and homemaker mother. Nili describes herself as a "traditional" or "observant" Jew [4][2][5][3] who keeps kosher and the Jewish Sabbath, bringing kosher food with her when she travels to competitions and observing the Jewish shabbat.[6] When Nili was two years old her family made aliyah to Israel from Maryland.[2][7] They settled and now live in the religious neighborhood of Ramat Beit Shemesh in Beit Shemesh, Israel.[3][4][6] Her mother, Rina, became a volunteer officer in the Israeli Defense Forces Border Police[2][6]
At age 11, Nili began representing Israel in international competitions as a member of the Israeli Women's American Flag Football National Team.[3][8] She gave up the sport in 2012 in order to focus more fully on a single sport: Muay Thai.[9]
In 2013, in 12th grade, as a student at "Amit Noga" ulpana in Beit Shemesh, a high school for Orthodox girls,[6] Nili beat hundreds of other girls in the 10K run of the 2013 Jerusalem Marathon.[10]
As her sports are not supported by Olympic-style budgets, Nili cleans homes and delivers newspapers to pay for her travel and training.[6]
Kickboxing and Muay Thai career
editWhen she was 10 years old, Nili's mother suggested she learn kickboxing, as a manner of self-defense.[2][5] She trained at a kickboxing academy at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem.[3]
Her coach her entire career has been Benny Cogan, who is also Israel's national kickboxing and Muay Thai coach, and she is trained as well by Eddie Yusupov.[3][11][4][6]
Nili is designated as an "outstanding athlete" by the Israel Defense Forces, which allows her to be in a special program that permits her to compete in international kickboxing competitions.[5]
In 2012 she became world champion in the flyweight class (50.5-53.5 kilos) at the 10th Amateur/Pro-Am Muay Thai Championships in Bangkok, Thailand.[6]
In May 2015, when she was in 12th grade, Block won a gold medal in her age category in the XIX KickBox World Cup in the 52- to 56-kilo category in Hungary.[10]
In October 2015, Block won a gold medal at the Kickboxing World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, in the 60 kg (132 pound) senior division.[2][5][7][12] She said: "It is such a good feeling [being a champion].... it’s so special to become a symbol in the world as a Jew and as an Israeli. They didn’t expect me to win, coming from such a small country. Who would have expected it?"[5] That year she was named Female Athlete of the Year by the Federation of Non-Olympic Competitive Sports in Israel (Ayelet).[5][7]
In 2016, at 20 years of age, she won the 17th International Federation of Muaythai Amateur (IFMA) World Championship for the first time, in the 60 kg division, in Jonkoping, Sweden.[5][13][14][11]
In 2017, Nili won the gold medal at the Muay Thai World Championship in the 60 kg division.[2][14]
She is also the two-time defending European champion.[2] In October 2017, she won the gold medal at the Thai Boxing European Championships in the women's 60 kg division in Paris, France.[15]
That year, in July she also won a bronze medal in Muay Thai at the 2017 World Games in Wroclaw, Poland, taking third in the women's 60 kg Muay Thai event.[2][13][1]
Championships and accomplishments
editMuay Thai and Kickboxing
editProfessional
edit- International Sport Karate Association
- 2019 ISKA Low Kick World Lightweight (-60 kg) Champion[16]
- 2024 ISKA Oriental rules World Lightweight (-60 kg) Champion
Amateur
edit- World Association of Kickboxing Organizations
- 2014 WAKO Kickboxing European Championships K-1 (-60 kg) - Bronze Medal
- 2015 WAKO Kickboxing World Championships K-1 (-60 kg) - Gold Medal[17]
- International Federation of Muaythai Amateur
- 2014 IFMA European Championships (-60 kg) - Gold Medal
- 2016 IFMA World Championships (-60 kg) - Gold Medal [5][13][14][11]
- 2017 IFMA World Championship (-60 kg) - Gold Medal[18]
- 2017 IFMA European Championships (-60 kg) - Gold Medal[19]
- 2018 IFMA World Championship (-60 kg) - Gold Medal[20]
- 2018 FISU Muaythai World Championships (-60 kg) - Gold Medal[21]
- 2018 IFMA European Championships (-60 kg) - Gold Medal[22]
- 2018 EMF Antalya Open (-60 kg) - Gold Medal
- 2019 IFMA World Championship (-60 kg) - Gold Medal[23]
- 2019 IFMA European Championships (-60 kg) - Gold Medal[24]
- World Games
- 2017 World Games Muay Thai (-60 kg) - Bronze Medal[25]
- 2022 World Games Muay Thai (-60 kg) - Silver Medal[26]
Sambo
edit- Fédération Internationale de Sambo
- 2024 FIAS World Sambo Cup in Kyrgyzstan Combat Sambo 65 kg Silver Medal[27]
Fight record
edit| Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-02-08 | Win | Hélène Connart | Lidon vs Benzaquen | Paris, France | TKO (Doctor stoppage) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| Wins the vacant ISKA Oriental rules World -61kg title. | ||||||||
| 2023-08-09 | Win | Malena Garcia | Jomtalay, Phetchbuncha Stadium | Ko Samui, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 2:00 | |
| 2019-12-12 | Win | Stephanie Ielo Page | Championnat Du Monde Kickboxing | Paris, France | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Wins the ISKA Low Kick World -61kg title. | ||||||||
| 2019-03-09 | Loss | Maurine Atef | TEK Fight II | Meaux, France | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2018-09-09 | Loss | Cong Wang | Kunlun Fight 76 - Legend of Mulan Tournament Semifinal | Zhangqiu, China | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2018-09-09 | Win | Li Mingrui | Kunlun Fight 76 - Legend of Mulan Tournament Quarterfinal | Zhangqiu, China | KO (High kick) | 1 | ||
| 2014-03-21 | Loss | Stephanie Ielo Page | WMF World Championship, Final | Pattaya, Thailand | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| For the WMF World -60kg title. | ||||||||
| 2014-03-21 | Win | Maria Lobo | WMF World Championship, Semi Final | Pattaya, Thailand | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes | ||||||||
| Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-07-17 | Loss | Charlsey Maner | 2022 World Games, Tournament Finals | Birmingham, United States | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| Wins the 2022 World Games Muay Thai -60kg Silver Medal. | ||||||||
| 2022-07-16 | Win | Niamh Kinehan | 2022 World Games, Tournament Semifinals | Birmingham, United States | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2022-07-15 | Win | Ewin Ates | 2022 World Games, Tournament Quarterfinals | Birmingham, United States | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2019-11-09 | Win | Darya Bialkova | 2019 IFMA European Muaythai Championships, Tournament Finals | Minsk, Belarus | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| Wins the 2019 IFMA European Muaythai Championships -60kg Gold Medal. | ||||||||
| 2019-11-07 | Win | Ekaterina Vinnikova | 2019 IFMA European Muaythai Championships, Tournament Semifinals | Minsk, Belarus | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2019-09-01 | Win | Taylor McClatchie | 2019 Chungju World Martial Arts Masterships, Tournament Finals | Chungju, China | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| Wins the 2019 Chungju World Martial Arts Masterships -60kg Gold Medal. | ||||||||
| 2019-08-31 | Win | Kaewrudee Kamtakrapoom | 2019 Chungju World Martial Arts Masterships, Tournament Semifinals | Chungju, China | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2019-08-30 | Win | Jamiyandorj Odgerel | 2019 Chungju World Martial Arts Masterships, Tournament Quarterfinals | Chungju, China | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2019-07-28 | Win | Ekaterina Vinnikova | 2019 IFMA World Championships, Tournament Finals | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| Wins the 2019 IFMA World Championships -60kg Gold Medal. | ||||||||
| 2019-07-27 | Win | Darya Bialkova | 2019 IFMA World Championships, Tournament Semifinals | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2019-07-25 | Win | Lucia Szabova | 2019 IFMA World Championships, Tournament Quarterfinals | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2019-07-22 | Win | Britney Dolheguy | 2019 IFMA World Championships, Tournament Opening Round | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision (Unanimous) | 2 | 3:00 | |
| 2018-11-18 | Win | Sultan Unal | 2018 EMF Antalya Muaythai Open, Tournament Finals | Antalya, Turkey | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| Wins the 2018 Antalya Open -60kg Gold Medal. | ||||||||
| 2018-11-17 | Win | 2018 EMF Antalya Muaythai Open, Tournament Semifinals | Antalya, Turkey | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | ||
| 2018-11-16 | Win | Ewin Ates | 2018 EMF Antalya Muaythai Open, Tournament Quarterfinals | Antalya, Turkey | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2018-11-15 | Win | İlknur Kurt | 2018 EMF Antalya Muaythai Open, Tournament First Round | Antalya, Turkey | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2018-07-29 | Win | Alejandra Romero Calvo | 2018 FISU World Muaythai Championships, Tournament Finals | Pattaya, Thailand | TKO | 2 | ||
| Wins the 2018 FISU World Muaythai Championships -60kg Gold Medal. | ||||||||
| 2018-07-29 | Win | Tabtrai Keisnee | 2018 FISU World Muaythai Championships, Tournament Seminals | Pattaya, Thailand | TKO | 3 | ||
| 2018-07-07 | Win | Karolina Klusova | 2018 IFMA European Muaythai Championships, Tournament Finals | Prague, Czech Republic | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| Wins the 2018 IFMA European Muaythai Championships -60kg Gold Medal. | ||||||||
| 2018-07-04 | Win | Gia Winberg | 2018 IFMA European Muaythai Championships, Tournament Semifinals | Prague, Czech Republic | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2018-07-02 | Win | Darya Bialkova | 2018 IFMA European Muaythai Championships, Tournament Quarterfinals | Prague, Czech Republic | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2018-05-19 | Win | Ekaterina Vinnikova | 2018 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament Finals | Cancun, Mexico | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| Wins the 2018 IFMA World Muaythai Championships -60kg Gold Medal. | ||||||||
| 2018-05-18 | Win | Mariya Valent | 2018 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament Semifinals | Cancun, Mexico | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2018-05-15 | Win | Nagihan Kalyoncu | 2018 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament Quarterfinals | Cancun, Mexico | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2018-05-15 | Win | Isa Tidblad Keskikangas | 2018 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament Opening Round | Cancun, Mexico | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2017-10-22 | Win | Ekaterina Vinnikova | 2017 IFMA European Muaythai Championships, Tournament Finals | Paris, France | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| Wins the 2017 IFMA European Muaythai Championships -60kg Gold Medal. | ||||||||
| 2017-10-21 | Win | Hanna Shytava | 2017 IFMA European Muaythai Championships, Tournament Semifinals | Paris, France | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2017-10-20 | Win | Isa Tidblad Keskikangas | 2017 IFMA European Muaythai Championships, Tournament Quarterfinals | Paris, France | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2017-07-30 | Win | Antje Van Der Molen | 2017 World Games, Bronze Medal Fight | Wroclaw, Poland | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| Wins the 2017 World Games -60kg Bronze Medal. | ||||||||
| 2017-07-29 | Loss | Svetlana Vinnikova | 2017 World Games, Tournament Semifinal | Wroclaw, Poland | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2017-07-28 | Win | Marta Gusztab | 2017 World Games, Tournament Quarterfinal | Wroclaw, Poland | TKO | |||
| 2017-05-11 | Win | Anastasia Nepianidi | 2017 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament Final | Minsk, Belarus | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| Wins the 2017 IFMA World Championships -60kg Gold Medal. | ||||||||
| 2017-05-08 | Win | Gia Winberg | 2017 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament Semifinals | Minsk, Belarus | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2017-05-07 | Win | Valeria Slizchenko | 2017 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament Quarterfinals | Minsk, Belarus | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2017-05-05 | Win | Nathalie Visschers | 2017 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament First Round | Minsk, Belarus | TKO | 1 | ||
| 2016-11-26 | Win | Anaëlle Angerville | IFMA World Cup 2016 in Kazan, Tournament Final | Kazan, Russia | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| Wins the 2016 IFMA World Cup in Kazan -60kg Gold Medal. | ||||||||
| 2016-11-25 | Win | Ekaterina Vinnikova | IFMA World Cup 2016 in Kazan, Tournament Semifinals | Kazan, Russia | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2016-10-27 | Loss | Natalia Martiukhina | 2016 WAKO European Championships, Quarterfinals | Maribor, Slovenia | Decision (Split) | 3 | 2:00 | |
| 2016-05-28 | Win | Lryna Chernave | 2016 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament Final | Jonkoping, Sweden | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| Wins the 2016 IFMA World Championships -60kg Gold Medal. | ||||||||
| 2016-05-26 | Win | Ekaterina Vinnikuva | 2016 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament Semifinals | Jonkoping, Sweden | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2016-05-24 | Win | Nina Scheucher | 2016 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament Quarterfinals | Jonkoping, Sweden | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2016-05-19 | Win | Jacqueline De Beer | 2016 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament First Round | Jonkoping, Sweden | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2015-10-31 | Win | Marija Malencia | 2015 WAKO World Championships, Tournament Final | Dublin, Ireland | Decision (Split) | 3 | 2:00 | |
| Wins the 2015 WAKO World Championships K-1 -60kg Gold Medal. | ||||||||
| 2015-10-30 | Win | Alena Muratava | 2015 WAKO World Championships, Tournament Semifinal | Dublin, Ireland | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 2:00 | |
| 2015-10-29 | Win | Senay Cakir | 2015 WAKO World Championships, Tournament Quarterfinal | Dublin, Ireland | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 2:00 | |
| 2015-10-28 | Win | Sara Surrel | 2015 WAKO World Championships, Tournament First Round | Dublin, Ireland | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 2:00 | |
| 2015-08-16 | Loss | Valentina Shevchenko | 2015 I.F.M.A. Royal World cup, Tournament quarterfinals | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2015-08-15 | Win | Jacqueline De Beer | 2015 I.F.M.A. Royal World cup, Tournament First Round | Bangkok, Thailand | TKO | 3 | ||
| 2014-10-24 | Loss | Alena Muratava | 2014 WAKO European Championships, Tournament Semifinals | Bilbao, Spain | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 2:00 | |
| Wins the 2014 WAKO European Championships K-1 -60kg Bronze Medal. | ||||||||
| 2014-10-22 | Win | Giulia Grenci | 2014 WAKO European Championships, Tournament Quarterfinals | Bilbao, Spain | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 2:00 | |
| 2014-10-21 | Win | Kubra Karabag | 2014 WAKO European Championships, Tournament First Round | Bilbao, Spain | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 2:00 | |
| 2014-09-24 | Win | Mariya Valent | 2014 IFMA European Muaythai Championships, Tournament Finals | Kraków, Poland | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| Wins the 2014 IFMA European Muaythai Championships -60kg Gold Medal. | ||||||||
| 2014-09-23 | Win | Nathalie Visschers | 2014 IFMA European Muaythai Championships, Tournament Semifinals | Kraków, Poland | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes | ||||||||
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Muaythai - Nili Block (Israel)". the-sports.org. Archived from the original on September 9, 2018. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Allon Sinai (December 22, 2017). "Sports Personality: Who was Israel's best of 2017". The Jerusalem Post.
- ^ a b c d e f g Josh Hasten (January 7, 2016). "The 'uprising' of Nili Block, Israel's female kickboxing world champion". Jewish News Service. Archived from the original on January 9, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
- ^ a b c d Ben Ofer (January 2, 2016). "From religious school to world kickboxing champion". Ynetnews.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Nefesh B. Nefesh (December 19, 2017). "8 Days of olim shining their light on Israel: Nili Block". The Jerusalem Post.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Darom, Naomi (July 8, 2013). "Glove Story: Two Orthodox Girls' Journey From Religious School to Boxing Glory". Haaretz.
- ^ a b c Alina Dain Sharon (March 8, 2016). "International Women's Day: This Year's Newsworthy Jewish Women". Algemeiner.
- ^ "Nili Block, 20, brings Israel gold at Kickboxing World Championships in Belgrade". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
- ^ "Two religious women take world Thai boxing titles". Israel21c. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
- ^ a b Abigail Klein Leichman (July 17, 2013). "Two religious women take world Thai boxing titles". Israel21c.
- ^ a b c Viva Sarah Press (May 29, 2016). "Israeli fighter wins Muaythai World Championship". Israel21c. Archived from the original on December 28, 2017. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
- ^ Daniel Koren (November 4, 2015). "20-year-old Israeli wins world kickboxing championship". The Canadian Jewish News.
- ^ a b c Allon Sinai (July 31, 2017). "Israeli Block grabs muaythai bronze". The Jerusalem Post.
- ^ a b c Allon Sinai (July 30, 2017). "Medals piling up for blue-and-white". The Jerusalem Post.
- ^ "Israeli Nili Block Wins Thai Boxing Title at European Championships in Paris". Algemeiner. October 22, 2017.
- ^ Loisel, Jerome. "Championnat du Monde de kickboxing : les résultats". headkicknews.com. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
- ^ "Official WAKO results – 2015 WC - Belgrade (Serbia)". wakoweb.com (archived). Archived from the original on August 9, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
- ^ "שוב: נילי בלאק אלופת העולם באיגרוף תאילנדי". sport5.co.il. May 11, 2017. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
- ^ "2017 European Muaythai Championships – Seniors Elite Female 60". ifmalive.com. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- ^ "נילי בלאק אלופת העולם באגרוף תאילנדי". sport5.co.il. May 20, 2018. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
- ^ "Three Thais reach finals on day five at FISU Muaythai World Championships". insidethegames.biz. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
- ^ "ספורט / מנצחת: נילי בלאק אלופת אירופה באגרוף תאילנדי בפעם השלישית". davar1.co.il. July 13, 2018. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
- ^ "Israel's golden Block captures fourth straight Muaythai medal at Worlds". jpost.com. July 29, 2019. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
- ^ "2019 European Muaythai Championships – Seniors Elite Female 60". ifmalive.com. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- ^ אהרוני, אורן (July 30, 2017). "ארד לנילי בלאק במשחקי העולם". Ynet. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
- ^ "משחקי העולם: מדליית כסף לנילי בלאק באיגרוף תאילנדי". israelhayom.co.il. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
- ^ "Results of the 2nd Day of the World SAMBO Cup 2024 in Kyrgyzstan". sambo.sport. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
External links
edit- Nili Block at The-Sports.org
- Nili Block on Facebook
- Nili Block on Instagram