Faith Foley is Fighting For More Than Gold

By Sarah Clarke

“It’s a boys sport; you think you could beat me up?” Questions like these were all too common for a young Faith Foley, who is no stranger to sexist remarks in the world of kickboxing.

The now 21-year-old University of Galway student had her very first steps as a baby in a gym surrounded by the sport. Beginning kickboxing at the age of three, following her parents’ footsteps into the ring seemed inevitable; especially considering that it was how her mother and father met in the first place.

Her first climb between the ropes took place when she was just seven, winning her first fight against a boy from Limerick. The victory obviously felt sweet at the time but it also made her aware at a young age that the lack of female representation within the sport would be something she would constantly struggle against.

“I’ve had to fight the same girls about four times,” Faith acknowledged. “I’m friends with them now because we’ve just bonded over it. It is really frustrating when you can’t get a match.”

Backlash in her teens

As Faith entered her teenage years, the negative attention she received from the opposite sex ramped up, all because of her interest in the sport. Her notable achievements in kickboxing were constantly diminished by the boys in her class.

Faith recalled: “I was 15 and I won gold in the World Championships in Italy. Obviously, that’s a good accomplishment so I was really proud of it, and my school reposted it on Facebook. I just remember going in to school the next day and the lads were like, ‘That’s so weird that they’re posting about you winning; it’s just not that cool.’”

While the backlash was at its worst during her early years of secondary school, these hostile remarks had a long-lasting effect on Faith and caused her to become more private about events she was participating in.

“Because I got so much crap for it when I was younger, I didn’t really tell anybody when I was having fights because I thought people were just going to make fun of me for it.”

The tides did eventually change for the young athlete as time passed, as the people around her began to support her endeavors, slowly giving her more confidence to proudly share her achievements. After winning the All-Ireland Championships in April last year in a first-round stoppage, Faith plucked up the courage to invite her friends to her next fight in September 2025, where she also took home gold after yet another first round stoppage.

“All my friends came and supported me. It made me so emotional because nobody ever wanted to watch me when I was younger.”

Mentality in the ring

Getting into the ring is a serious adrenaline rush for Faith and a feeling that she chases constantly. While she struggled with panic attacks before a fight when she was younger, her growth in confidence has allowed her to leave that in the past and instead focus on victory.

“You kind of blackout, your head just kind of turns off and you’re like ‘I have to do everything I can to get my hand raised.’ So, you put everything on the line and just go for it.”

However, Faith admitted that the physical toll of kickboxing can be exhausting. The bruises, knocks and blows sustained during a fight are one thing, but the added pressure of making weight is an entirely different challenge. Ahead of her last fight, Faith had to lose 4kg, a process she found incredibly difficult and physically demanding.

“You have to be so careful with what you eat, basically starvation. Closer to the day you kind of have to cut out water as well because you can’t have water weight, so you’re basically about to wither away. It actually does take such a toll; you feel horrible after it.”

Sexism remaining today

While the commentary from those around Faith has changed, the sports bias towards men’s events has remained prominent and something she is still forced to deal with. Her next fight was due to take place on November 22 in Salthill, where she would face an international opponent in a charity match. However, it was subsequently cancelled due to a clashing four-man header in Waterford on the same day.

The space for women in kickboxing is a constant struggle in Faith’s career, making it difficult for her to progress. Her father, who is her trainer and promoter, knows all too well about the gender gap within the sport.

“My dad said that if he was to do an all-women’s show, nobody would go and I think that’s so sad because if he did an all men’s show, loads of people would go. It’s the same with football matches, you see Croke Park gets sold out for the men’s football matches, but nobody ever goes to the women’s football matches.”

Hope for the future

Despite the drawbacks, Katie Taylor’s support in the boxing world makes Faith hopeful that times are changing and the space for women is opening up in combat sports.

“I think she (Katie Taylor) has changed it a little bit because she sold out Croke Park which is amazing and there were so many boys there supporting her which I loved to see.”

Despite Faith’s personal experience with sexism and the lack of female representation, she is optimistic that a new era for women’s kick boxing is on the way for the next generation.

“I genuinely don’t think younger girls would get as much hassle for it now, I think it’s evolved a little bit. I coach the kids’ classes and there’s so many girls. They are all so into it and they absolutely love it.”

While Faith is consumed with her final year degree in Irish and French, she is excited to look towards her prospects in kickboxing and put more of her focus into the sport after her studies.