Carlsbad Student Wins Gold In Centuries-Old Martial Art​

CARLSBAD, CA — A Carlsbad middle schooler is at the top of her game in a centuries-old martial art.

Madelyn Kaufman, a 13-year-old student at Valley Middle School, recently ranked No. 1 in the U.S. as the only girl chosen in her bracket at the WBC Muay Thai Pan American Games in Mexico.

The eighth-grader trains seven days a week alongside adult fighters at Elite Kickboxing Gym in Vista, under the direction of coach Destry Dalrymple and gym co-founder and former pro Muay Thai fighter, Ahmad Ibrahim.

"It's not like representing yourself," said Madelyn, who currently holds the Royal Combat national title as well as the Monster Promotions national title, according to Elite Kickboxing Gym. She also won fights at the International Fight Showdown and the U.S. Muay Thai Open Championships in Arizona last year.

"I represent the whole gym," she said. "I represent the U.S. I represent everyone. It feels like there's a bigger picture."

Madelyn hopes the Olympic Games could become part of that picture.

Known as the national sport of Thailand, Muay Thai began its journey toward the Olympics in 2012, earning provisional recognition by the International Olympic Committee in 2016. While the mixed martial art was denied for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, it was shortlisted by the IOC — an indication that Muay Thai could reach Olympic inclusion, with experts indicating Brisbane 2032 as a realistic target.

"I truly think Maddie could be at the very top level of Muay Thai in the world," Dalrymple said. "That's how dedicated, driven, and talented she is. She can go wherever she wants. She is going to be the future of Muay Thai."