Nili Block

Nili Block
Born (1995-01-16) January 16, 1995 (age 29)
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Native nameנילי בלאק‎
ResidenceRamat Beit Shemesh, Israel
NationalityIsraeli
American
StyleMuay Thai, Kickboxing
Teacher(s)Benny Cogan
TrainerEddie Yusopov
Medal record
Representing  Israel
Women's Muay Thai
Amateur World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2016 Jonkoping ‍–‍60 kg
Gold medal – first place 2017 Minsk ‍–‍60 kg
Gold medal – first place 2018 Cancún ‍–‍60 kg
Gold medal – first place 2019 Bangkok ‍–‍60 kg
World Games
Bronze medal – third place 2017 Wrocław ‍–‍60 kg
Silver medal – second place 2022 Birmingham ‍–‍60 kg
Amateur European Championships
Gold medal – first place 2014 Kraków ‍–‍60 kg
Gold medal – first place 2017 Paris ‍–‍60 kg
Gold medal – first place 2018 Prague ‍–‍60 kg
Gold medal – first place 2019 Minsk ‍–‍60 kg
Women's Kickboxing K-1
Amateur World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2015 Dublin ‍–‍60 kg
Amateur European Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2014 Bilbao ‍–‍60 kg

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]

Early life

Born 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

When 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

Muay Thai and Kickboxing

Professional

Amateur

  • 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

Sambo

Fight record

Professional Kickboxing & Muay Thai record
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time
2024-02-08 Win Belgium 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 Argentina Malena Garcia Jomtalay, Phetchbuncha Stadium Ko Samui, Thailand Decision 5 2:00
2019-12-12 Win France 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 France Maurine Atef TEK Fight II Meaux, France Decision 3 3:00
2018-09-09 Loss China Cong Wang Kunlun Fight 76 - Legend of Mulan Tournament Semifinal Zhangqiu, China Decision 3 3:00
2018-09-09 Win China Li Mingrui Kunlun Fight 76 - Legend of Mulan Tournament Quarterfinal Zhangqiu, China KO (High kick) 1
2014-03-21 Loss France Stephanie Ielo Page WMF World Championship, Final Pattaya, Thailand Decision 3 3:00
For the WMF World -60kg title.
2014-03-21 Win Portugal Maria Lobo WMF World Championship, Semi Final Pattaya, Thailand Decision 3 3:00
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes
Amateur Muay Thai & Kickboxing record
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time
2022-07-17 Loss United States 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 United Kingdom Niamh Kinehan 2022 World Games, Tournament Semifinals Birmingham, United States Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2022-07-15 Win Sweden Ewin Ates 2022 World Games, Tournament Quarterfinals Birmingham, United States Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2019-11-09 Win Russia 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 Russia Ekaterina Vinnikova 2019 IFMA European Muaythai Championships, Tournament Semifinals Minsk, Belarus Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2019-09-01 Win Canada 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 Thailand Kaewrudee Kamtakrapoom 2019 Chungju World Martial Arts Masterships, Tournament Semifinals Chungju, China Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2019-08-30 Win Mongolia Jamiyandorj Odgerel 2019 Chungju World Martial Arts Masterships, Tournament Quarterfinals Chungju, China Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2019-07-28 Win Russia 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 Russia Darya Bialkova 2019 IFMA World Championships, Tournament Semifinals Bangkok, Thailand Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2019-07-25 Win Slovakia Lucia Szabova 2019 IFMA World Championships, Tournament Quarterfinals Bangkok, Thailand Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2019-07-22 Win Australia Britney Dolheguy 2019 IFMA World Championships, Tournament Opening Round Bangkok, Thailand Decision (Unanimous) 2 3:00
2018-11-18 Win Turkey 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 Sweden Ewin Ates 2018 EMF Antalya Muaythai Open, Tournament Quarterfinals Antalya, Turkey Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2018-11-15 Win Turkey İlknur Kurt 2018 EMF Antalya Muaythai Open, Tournament First Round Antalya, Turkey Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2018-07-29 Win Spain 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 Thailand Tabtrai Keisnee 2018 FISU World Muaythai Championships, Tournament Seminals Pattaya, Thailand TKO 3
2018-07-07 Win Czech Republic 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 Finland Gia Winberg 2018 IFMA European Muaythai Championships, Tournament Semifinals Prague, Czech Republic Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2018-07-02 Win Russia Darya Bialkova 2018 IFMA European Muaythai Championships, Tournament Quarterfinals Prague, Czech Republic Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2018-05-19 Win Russia 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 Belarus Mariya Valent 2018 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament Semifinals Cancun, Mexico Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2018-05-15 Win Turkey Nagihan Kalyoncu 2018 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament Quarterfinals Cancun, Mexico Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2018-05-15 Win Sweden Isa Tidblad Keskikangas 2018 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament Opening Round Cancun, Mexico Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2017-10-22 Win Russia 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 Russia Hanna Shytava 2017 IFMA European Muaythai Championships, Tournament Semifinals Paris, France Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2017-10-20 Win Sweden Isa Tidblad Keskikangas 2017 IFMA European Muaythai Championships, Tournament Quarterfinals Paris, France Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2017-07-30 Win Peru 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 Russia Svetlana Vinnikova 2017 World Games, Tournament Semifinal Wroclaw, Poland Decision 3 3:00
2017-07-28 Win Poland Marta Gusztab 2017 World Games, Tournament Quarterfinal Wroclaw, Poland TKO
2017-05-11 Win Russia 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 Finland Gia Winberg 2017 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament Semifinals Minsk, Belarus Decision 3 3:00
2017-05-07 Win Ukraine Valeria Slizchenko 2017 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament Quarterfinals Minsk, Belarus Decision 3 3:00
2017-05-05 Win Belgium Nathalie Visschers 2017 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament First Round Minsk, Belarus TKO 1
2016-11-26 Win France 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 Russia Ekaterina Vinnikova IFMA World Cup 2016 in Kazan, Tournament Semifinals Kazan, Russia Decision 3 3:00
2016-10-27 Loss Ukraine Natalia Martiukhina 2016 WAKO European Championships, Quarterfinals Maribor, Slovenia Decision (Split) 3 2:00
2016-05-28 Win Ukraine 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 Russia Ekaterina Vinnikuva 2016 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament Semifinals Jonkoping, Sweden Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2016-05-24 Win Austria Nina Scheucher 2016 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament Quarterfinals Jonkoping, Sweden Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2016-05-19 Win South Africa Jacqueline De Beer 2016 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament First Round Jonkoping, Sweden Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2015-10-31 Win Croatia 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 Belarus Alena Muratava 2015 WAKO World Championships, Tournament Semifinal Dublin, Ireland Decision (Unanimous) 3 2:00
2015-10-29 Win Turkey Senay Cakir 2015 WAKO World Championships, Tournament Quarterfinal Dublin, Ireland Decision (Unanimous) 3 2:00
2015-10-28 Win France Sara Surrel 2015 WAKO World Championships, Tournament First Round Dublin, Ireland Decision (Unanimous) 3 2:00
2015-08-16 Loss Kyrgyzstan Valentina Shevchenko 2015 I.F.M.A. Royal World cup, Tournament quarterfinals Bangkok, Thailand Decision 3 3:00
2015-08-15 Win South Africa Jacqueline De Beer 2015 I.F.M.A. Royal World cup, Tournament First Round Bangkok, Thailand TKO 3
2014-10-24 Loss Belarus 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 Italy Giulia Grenci 2014 WAKO European Championships, Tournament Quarterfinals Bilbao, Spain Decision (Unanimous) 3 2:00
2014-10-21 Win Turkey Kubra Karabag 2014 WAKO European Championships, Tournament First Round Bilbao, Spain Decision (Unanimous) 3 2:00
2014-09-24 Win Belarus 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 Belgium 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

References

  1. ^ a b "Muaythai - Nili Block (Israel)". the-sports.org. Archived from the original on September 9, 2018. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ a b c d Ben Ofer (January 2, 2016). "From religious school to world kickboxing champion". Ynetnews.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ a b c Alina Dain Sharon (March 8, 2016). "International Women's Day: This Year's Newsworthy Jewish Women". Algemeiner.
  8. ^ "Nili Block, 20, brings Israel gold at Kickboxing World Championships in Belgrade". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  9. ^ "Two religious women take world Thai boxing titles". Israel21c. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  10. ^ a b Abigail Klein Leichman (July 17, 2013). "Two religious women take world Thai boxing titles". Israel21c.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ Daniel Koren (November 4, 2015). "20-year-old Israeli wins world kickboxing championship". The Canadian Jewish News.
  13. ^ a b c Allon Sinai (July 31, 2017). "Israeli Block grabs muaythai bronze". The Jerusalem Post.
  14. ^ a b c Allon Sinai (July 30, 2017). "Medals piling up for blue-and-white". The Jerusalem Post.
  15. ^ "Israeli Nili Block Wins Thai Boxing Title at European Championships in Paris". Algemeiner. October 22, 2017.
  16. ^ Loisel, Jerome. "Championnat du Monde de kickboxing : les résultats". headkicknews.com. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  17. ^ "Official WAKO results – 2015 WC - Belgrade (Serbia)". wakoweb.com (archived). Archived from the original on August 9, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  18. ^ "שוב: נילי בלאק אלופת העולם באיגרוף תאילנדי". sport5.co.il. May 11, 2017. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  19. ^ "2017 European Muaythai Championships – Seniors Elite Female 60". ifmalive.com. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  20. ^ "נילי בלאק אלופת העולם באגרוף תאילנדי". sport5.co.il. May 20, 2018. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  21. ^ "Three Thais reach finals on day five at FISU Muaythai World Championships". insidethegames.biz. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  22. ^ "ספורט / מנצחת: נילי בלאק אלופת אירופה באגרוף תאילנדי בפעם השלישית". davar1.co.il. July 13, 2018. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  23. ^ "Israel's golden Block captures fourth straight Muaythai medal at Worlds". jpost.com. July 29, 2019. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  24. ^ "2019 European Muaythai Championships – Seniors Elite Female 60". ifmalive.com. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  25. ^ אהרוני, אורן (July 30, 2017). "ארד לנילי בלאק במשחקי העולם". Ynet. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  26. ^ "משחקי העולם: מדליית כסף לנילי בלאק באיגרוף תאילנדי". israelhayom.co.il. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  27. ^ "Results of the 2nd Day of the World SAMBO Cup 2024 in Kyrgyzstan". sambo.sport. Retrieved September 1, 2024.