Australia’s Nicole Lowe-Tarbert recently won a bronze medal at the 16th World Wushu Championships in 2023 in Fort Worth, Texas. She has had 15 years of martial arts experience, and in 2023 she impressively won a pair of gold medals in two weight divisions at the Oceania Kung Fu Wushu Championships held in Auckland, New Zealand. One in her weight class, and one on the class above. But Nicole works twice as hard and is able to excel both in the ring and on the lei tai. As a multi-talented, driven, and well-rounded martial arts athlete, she also won a silver medal in Muay Thai at the 2023 IFMA Senior World Championships Bangkok, Thailand.
Wushu Beginnings
Nicole Lowe-Tarbert, 22, hails originally from the country town of Cowra in the Central West of New South Wales, Australia, where her martial arts journey began in 2008 at the age of seven. Half a dozen years years later, as a young teen, in 2014 she started traveling to Orange NSW to train with Muay Thai coach Tasshi Anthony Wharton. In 2020 she relocated to Orange for work and training. “I discovered wushu and sanda,” she recalls, “through my martial arts club, Kumiai -Ryu Martial Arts System, which offers a variety of martial arts syllabus including sanda, Muay Thai, karate, Brazilian jujitsu and Philippine combatives. I train in or have sampled all of the KRMAS Syllabus.”
Family and community also played a large part in nurturing Nicole’s martial arts career. “My family,” she says, “has supported my martial arts journey from the beginning, enrolling me in KRMAS at an early age after I showed interest in karate. My parents have accompanied me on countless state, national and international trips for competition and training camps since 2011 when I began competing at a junior level in karate. My Dad drove the two-hour round trip from Cowra to Orange two to four times per week to take me to training for approximately 5 years. My siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins and friends have all come along to watch me compete at some point over the years.”
With a wide and impressive wheelhouse of martial arts, Nicole only recently started her journey in the practice of sanda, which she has been training and competing in for approximately two years. She now competes in the 65kg weight class category in sanda, a division with many tough opponents. Her diverse martial arts training created a firm foundation of technique, agility, fitness and endurance that primed her for her springboard into sanda.
Nicole says, “I was initially drawn to sanda because of my passion for Muay Thai and my desire to explore other martial arts styles. I find it invigorating to adapt my training to the distinct techniques of kickboxing styles or other forms of martial arts. Though I've been practicing sanda for under two years, my martial arts journey spans over 15 years, beginning in 2008 in Australia. Back then, female participation in the sport was limited, but rather than deter me, it fueled my determination to challenge norms and pave the way for other women. Being part of a minority within the sport inspired me to challenge stereotypes and break barriers. Witnessing the positive shift over time, with more women embracing sanda and other forms of martial arts, has been immensely gratifying. Being part of this progress is truly rewarding.”
Whirlwind International Debut
After the lull in sport competition due to several years of the Covid pandemic, 2023 became a busy, and truly remarkable, breakout year for Nicole. “My international debut at a senior level was a whirlwind experience that spanned three continents,” she recalls. “I first stepped onto the global stage at a senior level at the 2023 IFMA World Championships in Bangkok, Thailand. The intensity of competing and representing my country on an international level at such a renowned event was indescribable. Shortly after, I competed in sanda at the 2023 Oceania Kung Fu Wushu Championships held in Auckland, New Zealand, competing on a lei tai for the first time. I went on to compete at the 16th Wushu World Championships held at Fort Worth, Texas which was amazing. It has been my most challenging experience to date, competing at that level in sanda with such a limited time training in the sport. It was an absolute honor to represent my country at all three events.”
Nicole looks back on her initial deep dive into sanda. “My first sanda competition was a mix of nerves and excitement,” she recalls. “Stepping onto the lei tai platform for the first time, without the safety of ropes which I am used to, added an extra layer of intensity and demanded heightened spatial awareness and control. One misstep could mean being pushed off the platform, emphasizing the importance of balance and precision footwork.”
Nicole continues, “I needed to adapt my training to sanda's unique blend of striking, throws, and a greater emphasis on takedowns, different from my Muay Thai background. I have now competed in sanda internationally on two occasions. Both events were in 2023, with the first being at the Kung Fu Wushu Oceania Championships held in Auckland New Zealand. Competing in this event was a significant moment as it marked my debut on the international sanda stage. The anticipation before the event was intense as I geared up to showcase my skills on a global scale.”
Nicole became a gold medalist in not one but two 2 sanda divisions at the Oceania Kung Fu Wushu Championships 2023. “Winning gold was amazing,” she states simply. On top of her medals, Nicole also qualified to compete at the 16th World Wushu Championships to be held later that year in Fort Worth, USA. It would only be her second international sanda event, and it would offer her a whole new level of sanda.
A Bronze Medal at the 16th World Wushu Championships
At the 16th WWC, Nicole was eager to step up her game. “The level of competition was intense,” she admits, but “competing at the 16th World Wushu Championships was an unforgettable journey filled with excitement and challenges. Each fight pushed my skills against tough opponents, requiring adaptability and strategy.”
Nicole’s final fight was a tough battle with Bermuda’s Krista Dyer that allowed her to pull out her new sanda arsenal, and though she ultimately lost to a more experienced Dyer, she still clinched the bronze. “Standing on the podium,” she says, “as the Australian flag rose was a moment of immense pride and gratitude. Overall, my journey in sanda so far has really been one of growth and discovery.”
Sanda vs. Muay Thai – A Balancing Act
At the 2023 IFMA Senior World Championships in Bangkok Nicole won a silver medal and proved her Muay Thai prowess, before shifting her mentality over to sanda. We asked her about her approach in balancing two different styles of full contact martial arts fighting, and how doing both might make her a better overall fighter. Nicole answered thoughtfully, “Winning a silver medal at the 2023 IFMA Senior World Championships in Bangkok for Muay Thai was an incredible achievement and a testament to years of dedication and hard work. Achieving bronze at the Wushu World Championships when I am new to training in the style was unbelievable. Balancing two different styles of full-contact martial arts fighting, namely sanda and Muay Thai, has been both challenging and rewarding.”
Nicole continues, “While sanda and Muay Thai have distinct techniques and approaches, I've found that they complement each other in many ways. Both disciplines emphasize striking, clinching, and effective use of footwork, which allows for a seamless transition between the two. Additionally, the mental toughness and discipline required in both styles have contributed to my overall growth as a martial artist. Switching between sanda and Muay Thai does present its challenges, primarily in adjusting to the specific rules and strategies of each discipline. However, I've come to appreciate the diversity and versatility that comes with practicing both styles.”
Does she have a favorite? “As for preferences,” she says, “it's difficult to choose one over the other. Each style offers its own unique benefits and challenges. Ultimately, I see them as complementary components of my martial arts journey, each contributing to my development as an athlete and individual.”
Wushu/Sanda in Australia
While the sanda circuit in Australia is still growing, Nicole found herself welcomed by the international wushu community at her World Championships experience in Fort Worth. She observed that, “While we were at the event we received plenty of support and encouragement from opposition coaches, and the other competitors were also very supportive. I found the whole (WWC) experience very professional, and as a team we had a number of opportunities to train together. It was good to share the experience with fellow Australians.”
Nicole adds, “The sanda competition scene in Australia is smaller compared to other countries, but I'm optimistic about its growth, especially with the upcoming Sanda World Cup to be held in Melbourne. I believe this event will spark increased participation and interest, helping to elevate the sport's profile locally and attract more enthusiasts to join the community. And once athletes from other combat sports become aware of wushu/sanda, I believe they will really enjoy the format.”
Training and Challenges
We asked Nicole what her training routine was like, especially as she competes in two different martial art disciplines, and she replies, “When preparing for a fight, my regimen is thorough, covering both physical training and dietary needs. I run for endurance and do weight training to enhance muscle strength and overall conditioning. In addition to physical training, I customize my usual classes to focus on the techniques required by the martial art style which I am competing in. From refining strikes to perfecting footwork, each session is aimed at elevating my performance. When sparring, I spar to suit the event I am training for, using only the techniques and rules for the event for which I am training towards.”
“The biggest challenge I've encountered in my sport career,” she says, “is finding the balance between work, training, and rest, along with the financial challenges when competing internationally. Juggling the demands of a full-time job or other commitments alongside rigorous training schedules can be incredibly taxing both physically and mentally. Finding this balance has been an ongoing journey, but it has ultimately strengthened my resilience and taught me the importance of listening to my body and honoring my limitations.”
Nicole credits her coaches and family with their unwavering support in helping build her fighting career. “I am fortunate to have received training from multiple master Instructors in a variety of martial arts styles,” she says, “including Renshi Robert Williams, Tasshi Anthony Wharton and Hanshi Kevin Blundell, master Instructor and the founder of Kumiai Ryu Martial Arts System (KRMAS). Hanshi Kevin is a former world champion and trainer of many champions and world champions. I have been training with my coach Tasshi Anthony Wharton from Orange since 2014, primarily in Muay Thai and karate. It’s through my long-term training with Tasshi that I owe my success as an athlete in Muay Thai. He is a former Australian and international champion and has trained numerous national and international champions. He and his family have become an integral part of my life, treating me as one of the family.”
“Most recently,” Nicole adds, “I have been training in sanda with Renshi Robert Williams from Lithgow. Renshi Rob is the High-Performance Head Coach for SANDA Australia. I travel to Lithgow for sanda training in addition to my regular training regime in Orange, which has been essential for honing my sanda skills.” She adds, “I also receive amazing support from my Kumiai Ryu family, with members from dojos around the nation sending their support on socials, by tuning in to the live feeds or by monetary donations towards international travel expenses. I have a great support network in my local dojo, who support me as a training partner, as members of my corner team, and travelling cheer squad.”
Future Sanda Goals
Outside her sport career, Nicole works in sales for CNW, an electrical supplier and wholesale company, balancing her time to focus consistently on her training. For hobbies, she says, “I enjoy listening to music, reading, spending time with my family and trying other sports. I would like to do more skydiving and snowboarding.”
As 2024 unfurls, Nicole has several high-profile fighting competitions ahead. She has qualified for selection to compete at the 2024 IFMA World Championships to be held in Greece next June. And her placing at the 16th World Wushu Championships has qualified her to compete at the next Sanda World Cup which will take place in Melbourne in November. “It was a fantastic experience to represent my country, in competition,” Nicole says, “and I look forward to further participation and encourage other combat sports athletes to do so. I am excited to be competing at the Sanda World Cup on Australian soil. I hope that the event is well supported by competitors and spectators. I encourage the Australian public to come along to cheer on team Australia and watch the talented athletes from around the world.”
