PODCAST EP110: Kick Ass Baroness

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SUBSCRIBE | NEXT LIVE STREAM 10TH DECEMBER: www.youtube.com/chessboxing

Juliana “Kick Ass Baroness” Baron, the nicest woman in chessboxing, will be fighting “Killer Queen” Marie this December 10th for the women’s WCBA European Welterweight Title. Who will live up to their ring name?

Juliana had just come back from the world championships in Turkey the night before and still hadn’t unpacked her suitcase. She has lived in a huge number of countries and feels home anywhere, a child of the world. She speaks Korean, German, English and sings in Chineses! In Ireland she played in the Armstrong league at around 1700 but she doesn’t believe that she is at that level at the moment. She also practiced Thai Quando and kickboxing at university in Ireland, making it to the national team.

Incredibly in 2004, during a Christmas party, Juliana came up with the idea of chessboxing before hearing of the sport elsewhere. Juliana never met Iepe Rubingh but she feels a close bond with him and performed a tribute to Iepe during her first ever chess boxing bout. She has become very close to the chess boxing family in Berlin.

Juliana has trained with Lawrence Trent and she knows him from the Berlin club but they never sparred together – Lawrence is a few kg heavier than Juliana. As she is based in Munich Juliana has to travel quite far to training with other chessboxers. However, she does have a local gym she uses and also trains chess on line.

Juliana has fought in Berlin in an exhibition bout as well as in Italy and Turkey at the WCBO World Championships. The pod discussed the beautiful setting of the Italian event, warming up in a medieval castle and fighting in a period piazza. The food and wine didn’t disappoint either.

Juliana was supposed to have two fights but she missed out on the first due to a late cancellation. Her only fight was in the final of her weight category. She rarely gets a chance to fight due to the lack of women in the sport so she takes every opportunity to fight she can. The fight itself didn’t go well and she was unable to delver her game plan, Juliana was very disappointed with herself – perhaps she will do better in London. There was a lot of distractions and she wasn’t able to manage her metal state effectively – she didn’t make the planned first move. Gavin reflects on a similar situation with Jon “The Brick” Wood where he went completely off striped in the first move! Mental preparation is important to avoid mistake but also in dealing with mistakes as well. How will Juliana manage her nerves ahead of her headline bout?

Turkey wasn’t just about chess boxing, the weather was great and Juliana enjoyed hanging out with chessboxers on the beach. Nevertheless, it was hard to relax ahead of her bout which was at the end of the trip. It was good to see the chessboxing community competing together at the world championships although the preparation time for the event was very short. The pod congratulate the Turkish chess boxing contingent on their successful tournament and thanks them for all the hard work they have put in.

What has Juliana got planned for her entrance? Find out about where “Kick Ass Baroness” comes from. There is a feudal theme with the Baroness’ opponent being Killer Queen Marie. Juliana doesn’t know much about her opponent but she usually becomes friends with whoever she is matched against. She will give it all in the ring but likes to share love of the sport with her opponent after the final bell. Juliana will be entering like a Baroness but she is keeping her cards close to her chest with regard to her intro music.

What tactics is Juliana looking to deploy in her bout? She needs to find a balance for this event, something she didn’t find in Turkey. Now she is fitter she can focus on the metal elements of the sport this December. She would like to showcase the beauty of the sport as well as her ability.

Shout out to Chess Boxing Club Berlin and listen to the end of the Carl Ouch shaped easter egg!

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