Patricia Apolot, a kickboxing professional martial artist, is the reigning female Ugandan kickboxing champion who has held the title for three consecutive years. She also holds the World Kickboxing Federation International title that she obtained in June 2015 after defeating Ivana Mirkov of Serbia, in Dunaújváros, Hungary.
Apolot who started her career in 2009 after trying her hands in athletics, football and taekwondo, currently holds the largest number of belts and gold medals in Kickboxing in Uganda. She was recently named on Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 list in the category of sports alongside professional footballer Jean Sseninde, Egypt’s Mo Salah, South Africa’s Caster Semenya, among others.
We read her previous interviews with The Independent, New Vision, Daily Monitor and Female Fighters Africa to come up with some of her success contributors.
- OPEN MIND
“During a military training in Kajjansi in 2009, her friend Simon Wandera, who was also a trainee and cousin of world boxing champion Kassim Ouma, was amazed by Apolot’s physique. “He told me ‘you have a very good physique. You can really make a good boxer. Try it you might benefit a lot’,” Apolot took his advice seriously and the rest is now history. - PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Her passion was energised in 2012 upon invitation by Uganda Kick Boxing Federation to participate as a curtain-raiser for the Moses Golola Versus Andras Nagi (RIP) game. Although it was a 3:1 loss to her, she vowed to take lessons and take on a professional coach to better her tactics at the game.
Patricia Apolot (Right) - HARD WORK AND PERSISTENCE
“I just have to work harder and persist. Even if I am kicked out of a company or an office, I go back to try my luck again. Most times if I fail, I go back again.” - TIME MANAGEMENT
“Timing is a person’s best companion if you know how to manage it well. I try to look through what I have to do before I decide on what to do next.” - CONFIDENCE IN YOURSELF
“You need to trust yourself. Before you wake up, you have to know that the day is not going to be the same again. Trusting yourself to do better is key for everyone. Also, smile. I smile through hard times and good, knowing that all is going to be okay.”Patricia Apolot - AMBITION
In 2014, after defeating Jackie Nasimbwa to the national kick boxing championship, Patricia Apolot broadened her ambition and set her eyes on the African title.
“Retaining the national championship belt means that there is no challenger in the country anymore. I now want to go for the Africa title. This is just a step among many that I have and am going to boost my training as I wait for the next fight.” - SPIRITUALITY
“I love my God and He loves me back. Even before I go to the ring, I pray, asking Him to use me the way He wants’, then when I am home facing the mirror, I ask myself ‘How did I make it?’ A voice answers ‘you asked God to direct you so he has done as you asked’.” - ROLE MODEL
“I am my own role model. Why? Because many times we admire people without knowing what they went through to become the role model they are today. I have seen myself go through broken bones, anger, insults, shame and pain. How I managed to come out made me look at myself and see myself as my own role model.”Forbes Africa 30 Under 30, Patricia Apolot (Center) - GIVE BACK
Apolot is helping other girls in her home district of Kumi join the profession by training them. Her goal is to ensure they eradicate poverty, illiteracy, among others from their lives through the sport.
“It’s the only way I can help them.” - SUPPORT SYSTEM
“My family is also a source of support, and have encouraged me through most difficulties.”
