Week after week, 28-years-old Beatriz Miguel’s routine consists in working in the Luz Saúde Marketing and Communication central administration, in the area of website management, in Lisbon, then rushing to Vila Franca de Xira, where she trains Kenpo, a martial art combining techniques of combat, self-defence and spiritual growth. On April 27, after three fights where she defeated foreign and national opponents, Beatriz won, in her category, one of the major events of the modality in Portugal: the WAC Cup (World All Styles Open Cup). Held in Caldas da Rainha, the WAC Cup gathered over 700 athletes from 81 countries. The Luz Saúde collaborator ended in first in the Semi-Kenpo women’s category, aged 19-35 and under 65 kg. And her club, Cultural and Sports Union of Aldeia do Sobralinho (UDCAS), with 40 athletes competing in the different variants of Kenpo, traditional and sport, finished as runner-up. Since she started practising the modality, about six years ago, Beatriz Miguel already conquered good results in national events (national champion in her category in the Semi-Kenpo and Light-Kenpo variants, in 2021), but in international events only ending in third (in the Semi-Kenpo and Light-Kenpo variants, in 2022). This WAC Cup is the first title in this sports season and the most important, for its international dimension, the victory being even sweeter because it happened after six months out due to foot injuries she recovered from with the help of Hospital da Luz physicians and physiotherapists. On average, Beatriz trains four to five hours a week, over three days – workload that is increased in periods of sportive events. She was enticed to Kenpo by a relative practitioner who convinced her to give it a try. “It is a permanent challenge and a test to my abilities”, she explains. She liked it so much that, besides an athlete, she is also level 1 trainer in the same club that welcomed her. She is already focusing on the next competition, the Kenpo National Cup, in November. Congratulations, Beatriz Miguel!
