Nili Block
Born (1995-01-16) January 16, 1995
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
Last updated on: 15 September 2022

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 2015, in 12th grade, as a student at an ulpana, 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

Professional

Amateur

  • 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]

Fight record

Professional Kickboxing & Muay Thai record
Date Result OpponentEventLocation MethodRoundTime
2024-02-08Belgium Hélène ConnartLidon vs BenzaquenParis, France
For the vacant ISKA World -63.5kg title.
2023-08-09WinArgentina Malena GarciaJomtalay, Phetchbuncha StadiumKo Samui, ThailandDecision52:00
2019-12-12WinFrance Stephanie Ielo PageChampionnat Du Monde KickboxingParis, FranceDecision53:00
Wins the ISKA World Low Kick -60kg title.
2019-03-09LossFrance Maurine AtefTEK Fight IIMeaux, FranceDecision33:00
2018-09-09LossChina Cong WangKunlun Fight 76 - Legend of Mulan Tournament SemifinalZhangqiu, ChinaDecision33:00
2018-09-09WinChina Li MingruiKunlun Fight 76 - Legend of Mulan Tournament QuarterfinalZhangqiu, ChinaKO (High kick)1
2014-03-21LossFrance Stephanie Ielo PageWMF World Championship, FinalPattaya, ThailandDecision33:00
For the WMF World -60kg title.
2014-03-21WinPortugal Maria LoboWMF World Championship, Semi FinalPattaya, ThailandDecision33:00
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes
Amateur Muay Thai & Kickboxing record
Date Result OpponentEventLocation MethodRoundTime
2022-07-17LossUnited States Charlsey Maner2022 World Games, Tournament FinalsBirmingham, United StatesDecision (Unanimous)33:00
Wins the 2022 World Games Muay Thai -60kg Silver Medal.
2022-07-16WinUnited Kingdom Niamh Kinehan2022 World Games, Tournament SemifinalsBirmingham, United StatesDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2022-07-15WinSweden Ewin Ates2022 World Games, Tournament QuarterfinalsBirmingham, United StatesDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2019-11-09WinRussia Darya Bialkova2019 IFMA European Muaythai Championships, Tournament FinalsMinsk, BelarusDecision (Unanimous)33:00
Wins the 2019 IFMA European Muaythai Championships -60kg Gold Medal.
2019-11-07WinRussia Ekaterina Vinnikova2019 IFMA European Muaythai Championships, Tournament SemifinalsMinsk, BelarusDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2019-09-01WinCanada Taylor McClatchie2019 Chungju World Martial Arts Masterships, Tournament FinalsChungju, ChinaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
Wins the 2019 Chungju World Martial Arts Masterships -60kg Gold Medal.
2019-08-31WinThailand Kaewrudee Kamtakrapoom2019 Chungju World Martial Arts Masterships, Tournament SemifinalsChungju, ChinaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2019-08-30WinMongolia Jamiyandorj Odgerel2019 Chungju World Martial Arts Masterships, Tournament QuarterfinalsChungju, ChinaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2019-07-28WinRussia Ekaterina Vinnikova2019 IFMA World Championships, Tournament FinalsBangkok, ThailandDecision (Unanimous)33:00
Wins the 2019 IFMA World Championships -60kg Gold Medal.
2019-07-27WinRussia Darya Bialkova2019 IFMA World Championships, Tournament SemifinalsBangkok, ThailandDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2019-07-25WinSlovakia Lucia Szabova2019 IFMA World Championships, Tournament QuarterfinalsBangkok, ThailandDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2019-07-22WinAustralia Britney Dolheguy2019 IFMA World Championships, Tournament Opening RoundBangkok, ThailandDecision (Unanimous)23:00
2018-11-18WinTurkey Sultan Unal2018 EMF Antalya Muaythai Open, Tournament FinalsAntalya, TurkeyDecision (Unanimous)33:00
Wins the 2018 Antalya Open -60kg Gold Medal.
2018-11-17Win2018 EMF Antalya Muaythai Open, Tournament SemifinalsAntalya, TurkeyDecision33:00
2018-11-16WinSweden Ewin Ates2018 EMF Antalya Muaythai Open, Tournament QuarterfinalsAntalya, TurkeyDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2018-11-15WinTurkey İlknur Kurt2018 EMF Antalya Muaythai Open, Tournament First RoundAntalya, TurkeyDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2018-07-29WinSpain Alejandra Romero Calvo2018 FISU World Muaythai Championships, Tournament FinalsPattaya, ThailandTKO2
Wins the 2018 FISU World Muaythai Championships -60kg Gold Medal.
2018-07-29WinThailand Tabtrai Keisnee2018 FISU World Muaythai Championships, Tournament SeminalsPattaya, ThailandTKO3
2018-07-07WinCzech Republic Karolina Klusova2018 IFMA European Muaythai Championships, Tournament FinalsPrague, Czech RepublicDecision (Unanimous)33:00
Wins the 2018 IFMA European Muaythai Championships -60kg Gold Medal.
2018-07-04WinFinland Gia Winberg2018 IFMA European Muaythai Championships, Tournament SemifinalsPrague, Czech RepublicDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2018-07-02WinRussia Darya Bialkova2018 IFMA European Muaythai Championships, Tournament QuarterfinalsPrague, Czech RepublicDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2018-05-19WinRussia Ekaterina Vinnikova2018 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament FinalsCancun, MexicoDecision (Unanimous)33:00
Wins the 2018 IFMA World Muaythai Championships -60kg Gold Medal.
2018-05-18WinBelarus Mariya Valent2018 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament SemifinalsCancun, MexicoDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2018-05-15WinTurkey Nagihan Kalyoncu2018 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament QuarterfinalsCancun, MexicoDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2018-05-15WinSweden Isa Tidblad Keskikangas2018 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament Opening RoundCancun, MexicoDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2017-10-22WinRussia Ekaterina Vinnikova2017 IFMA European Muaythai Championships, Tournament FinalsParis, FranceDecision (Unanimous)33:00
Wins the 2017 IFMA European Muaythai Championships -60kg Gold Medal.
2017-10-21WinRussia Hanna Shytava2017 IFMA European Muaythai Championships, Tournament SemifinalsParis, FranceDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2017-10-20WinSweden Isa Tidblad Keskikangas2017 IFMA European Muaythai Championships, Tournament QuarterfinalsParis, FranceDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2017-07-30WinPeru Antje Van Der Molen2017 World Games, Bronze Medal FightWroclaw, PolandDecision (Unanimous)33:00
Wins the 2017 World Games -60kg Bronze Medal.
2017-07-29LossRussia Svetlana Vinnikova2017 World Games, Tournament SemifinalWroclaw, PolandDecision33:00
2017-07-28WinPoland Marta Gusztab2017 World Games, Tournament QuarterfinalWroclaw, PolandTKO
2017-05-11WinRussia Anastasia Nepianidi2017 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament FinalMinsk, BelarusDecision33:00
Wins the 2017 IFMA World Championships -60kg Gold Medal.
2017-05-08WinFinland Gia Winberg2017 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament SemifinalsMinsk, BelarusDecision33:00
2017-05-07WinUkraine Valeria Slizchenko2017 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament QuarterfinalsMinsk, BelarusDecision33:00
2017-05-05WinBelgium Nathalie Visschers2017 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament First RoundMinsk, BelarusTKO1
2016-11-26WinFrance Anaëlle AngervilleIFMA World Cup 2016 in Kazan, Tournament FinalKazan, RussiaDecision33:00
Wins the 2016 IFMA World Cup in Kazan -60kg Gold Medal.
2016-11-25WinRussia Ekaterina VinnikovaIFMA World Cup 2016 in Kazan, Tournament SemifinalsKazan, RussiaDecision33:00
2016-05-28WinUkraine Lryna Chernave2016 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament FinalJonkoping, SwedenDecision (Unanimous)33:00
Wins the 2016 IFMA World Championships -60kg Gold Medal.
2016-05-26WinRussia Ekaterina Vinnikuva2016 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament SemifinalsJonkoping, SwedenDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2016-05-24WinAustria Nina Scheucher2016 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament QuarterfinalsJonkoping, SwedenDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2016-05-19WinSouth Africa Jacqueline De Beer2016 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, Tournament First RoundJonkoping, SwedenDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2015-10-31WinCroatia Marija Malencia2015 WAKO World Championships, Tournament FinalDublin, IrelandDecision (Split)32:00
Wins the 2015 WAKO World Championships K-1 -60kg Gold Medal.
2015-10-30WinBelarus Alena Muratava2015 WAKO World Championships, Tournament SemifinalDublin, IrelandDecision (Unanimous)32:00
2015-10-29WinTurkey Senay Cakir2015 WAKO World Championships, Tournament QuarterfinalDublin, IrelandDecision (Unanimous)32:00
2015-10-28WinFrance Sara Surrel2015 WAKO World Championships, Tournament First RoundDublin, IrelandDecision (Unanimous)32:00
2015-08-16LossKyrgyzstan Valentina Shevchenko2015 I.F.M.A. Royal World cup , Tournament quarterfinalsBangkok, ThailandDecision33:00
2015-08-15WinSouth Africa Jacqueline De Beer2015 I.F.M.A. Royal World cup , Tournament First RoundBangkok, ThailandTKO3
2014-10-24LossBelarus Alena Muratava2014 WAKO European Championships, Tournament SemifinalsBilbao, SpainDecision (Unanimous)32:00
Wins the 2014 WAKO European Championships K-1 -60kg Bronze Medal.
2014-10-22WinItaly Giulia Grenci2014 WAKO European Championships, Tournament QuarterfinalsBilbao, SpainDecision (Unanimous)32:00
2014-10-21WinTurkey Kubra Karabag2014 WAKO European Championships, Tournament First RoundBilbao, SpainDecision (Unanimous)32:00
2014-09-24WinBelarus Mariya Valent2014 IFMA European Muaythai Championships, Tournament FinalsKraków, PolandDecision (Unanimous)33:00
Wins the 2014 IFMA European Muaythai Championships -60kg Gold Medal.
2014-09-23WinBelgium Nathalie Visschers2014 IFMA European Muaythai Championships, Tournament SemifinalsKraków, PolandDecision (Unanimous)33:00
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Muaythai - Nili Block (Israel)". the-sports.org. Archived from the original on September 9, 2018. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Allon Sinai (December 22, 2017). "Sports Personality: Who was Israel's best of 2017". The Jerusalem Post.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 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. 1 2 3 4 Ben Ofer (January 2, 2016). "From religious school to world kickboxing champion". Ynetnews.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Nefesh B. Nefesh (December 19, 2017). "8 Days of olim shining their light on Israel: Nili Block". The Jerusalem Post.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Darom, Naomi (July 8, 2013). "Glove Story: Two Orthodox Girls' Journey From Religious School to Boxing Glory". Haaretz.
  7. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 Abigail Klein Leichman (July 17, 2013). "Two religious women take world Thai boxing titles". Israel21c.
  11. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 3 Allon Sinai (July 31, 2017). "Israeli Block grabs muaythai bronze". The Jerusalem Post.
  14. 1 2 3 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. 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. 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. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  23. "Israel's golden Block captures fourth straight Muaythai medal at Worlds". jpost.com. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  24. "2019 European Muaythai Championships – Seniors Elite Female 60". ifmalive.com. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  25. "ארד לנילי בלאק במשחקי העולם". ynet.co.il. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  26. "משחקי העולם: מדליית כסף לנילי בלאק באיגרוף תאילנדי". israelhayom.co.il. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
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