“On November 14, cutting weight has killed another combat sports athlete. Perth, Australia teen Jessica Lindsay collapsed while on a run to cut weight for a Muay Thai event the next day. She was rushed to the hospital, but died several days later from the effects of severe dehydration.
The teenager underwent a grueling cut, that included a sweatsuit, water-loading, and taking hot, salty baths, under the supervision of her coach and trainers from her gym. Ms. Lindsay, 18, was an amateur, with just two years experience. Her Instagram referenced the cut.
Fit and healthy, she wrote on November 1.
On November 8 she wrote, Yeah nah cutting weight is sick hey.”
On November 10 she collapsed.
And on November 14 she passed away.
There is a point of no return, it is quite extreme and it goes beyond dehydration, said Dr. Joe Kosterich to News 9. It is what some would call heat exhaustion or heat shock. … People may choose to ignore the warning signs because they’re focused on what they’re trying to achieve and it’s an issue for amateurs – professionals will be coached, they will be monitored.”
Ms. Lindsay is at least the second Muay Thai athlete to die this year while weight cutting. Scottish pro Jordan Coe died in Thailand while trying to make weight.
Now Lindsay’s mother Sharron is campaigning against weight cutting. Kate Campbell has the story for PerthNow.
Sharron Lindsay is meeting Sport and Recreation Minister Mick Murray tomorrow. The mother is calling on the Government and combat sports industry to toughen guidelines and change the sports’ culture to stamp out the widespread but dangerous practice of weight-cutting.
Mr. Murray confirmed he is meeting Ms. Lindsay tomorrow, to pass on my condolences and discuss her concerns around the issue of weight-cutting in Muay Thai and other combat sports.
While the Combat Sports Commission constantly reviews its guidelines around preparations for contests, the commission is exploring the opportunity to better communicate with and update the combat sports industry as to what constitutes safe practice, he said. I’d advise any athletes engaging in combat sports to ensure all guidelines are strictly followed and they do so under correct supervision from trainers and medical professionals.
Ms. Lindsay said she was bitterly disappointed by the minister’s generic remarks, adding it appeared the Government was content to do nothing and pass up an opportunity to lead the world in making changes. She wants a complete overhaul of the Combat Sports Commission.
There just seems to be a pathological disconnection from the people they are paid to protect and represent.
But despite her fears of government inaction, the mother-of-two, who met with Premier Mark McGowan earlier this month, isn’t giving up on her mission to build a lasting legacy for her daughter.
I have nothing to lose, she said. Jessica is not coming home (but) detachment from this subject isn’t going to sit with me, I’m going to be relentless.
Cutting is now the worst thing in combat sports. Weight divisions were designed for safety, but in an attempt at making sure fighters of are of roughly equal weight, athletes are subject to a far greater danger than fighting a larger opponent.
In mixed martial arts, the dire issue has been ably addressed. Andy Foster, executive director of the California State Athletic Commission has put together a 10 Point Plan to fix the issue. It works. The ABC medical committee supports it. The ABC has adopted it. The UFC supports it and will continue to adopt further parts of it.
It is now incumbent on commissions to implement it.
As for amateurs, any significant weight cutting has got to cease.
