Introduction:
Douaa Kayed is a boxing, Muay Thai, and kickboxing coach and certified personal trainer. She was born in UAT, and has lived in Canada; currently she lives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Douaa impressively was a Guinness World Record holder. This was for the most full contact knee strikes, using alternate legs in one minute (female). She achieved this record, with 130 knees thrown in one minute. She is looking to eventually establish her own gym in the future.
Q & A:
FightMatrix: Tell us about your childhood and upbringing.
Douaa Kayed: I grew up in Abu Dhabi, UAE, at a home consisting of 8 girls, 2 boys, mom and dad. It was a calm and balanced life, until I lost my dad. When I was 9 my life changed a little. I was somewhat calm, I loved writing though and reading poetry. I would like to play fight with my neighbors.
FM: At what age did you first become involved in Martial Arts?
DK: I got married at the age of 19, finished my university education and I had my children. I was busy with them. Then, I wanted to invest in myself; I started at the age of 34 with kickboxing.
FM: What inspired you to become a boxing and kickboxing coach?
DK: I was in a phase where I felt somewhat weak and was searching for a sense of strength and confidence.
FM: Have you ever competed professionally or on an amateur level?
DK: Lots of sparring and training. Just one week before my fight, my opponent was wiped because of age, she was bigger than me and she felt scared.
FM: What gave you the idea for setting a Guinness World Record? How did you go about accomplishing this?
DK: When I was training in the UFC gym, I played in a different and fast way. That’s what my friend in the gym said for me and my coach. Then, it came to my mind, Guinness World Record. I trained for more than a year, between endurance and strength exercises. With my love for achievement and ambition, my dream is to conquer self realization and building my name.
FM: How did it feel to win this record?
DK: It is the beginning of the way to achieving my ambition.
FM: Who do you consider the greatest martial artist or combat sport athlete of all time?
DK: Muhammad Ali.
FM: Why did you move to Canada, then move to Saudi?
DK: I moved to Canada because my husband moved for his work. I also wanted to make my dream true. As in being a combat boxer and kickboxer, as well as, working and building my entity. Then, my husband moved to Riyadh due to him changing his work. For me maybe it will not be easy, but I believe I will continue what I started in Canada!
FM: You are well-rounded in combat sports. How does this impact you mentally and physically?
DK: Mentally and physically more strong.
FM: What are your short-term and long-term career goals?
DK: My short-term is to work at the UFC Gym. Long goal is to have my own gym.
FM: Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about you?
DK: Stubbornness is a good and a bad thing. If you use it in a good way, it will be one of the ways that will help you achieve your goal.
Conclusion:
Douaa Kayed is an ambitious individual. She understands that self-care is essential in life. From my perspective, she puts her family first, but her goals and achievements are also very important. Douaa has a good mindset and is a strong and balanced woman. It is my belief that she enjoys challenging herself. In addition to partaking in combat sports, Douaa runs marathons. It takes courage and strength to accomplish all that she has.
MMA & Boxing Author | Business Development Consultant
I have been a fan and avid viewer of all combat sports for decades. I was once a Judoka, which is what eventually piqued my interest in Mixed Martial Arts. I have been a spectator of the UFC since 2001. For 25 years I’ve worked in healthcare, and now am trying to make something that was a hobby, into a full-time endeavor.