Sport coaches tell their charges to visualise success to make it happen.
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Rising Tamworth muay thai fighter Josh McCulloch has taken that approach to another level, albeit unconsciously.
The 16-year-old said: “I actually dream about winning titles, getting my hand raised, and then going to Thailand to fight.”
The Year 11 student at Tamworth High School will soon get a chance to turn his dream into reality.
After beating a 28-year-old in his last fight to improve his record to three wins, one loss and one draw, McCulloch earned the right to fight for his first title.
In August in Sydney, he will fight for the state amateur featherweight belt (58-61.5kg).
And next year he will head to Thailand for the first time for a two-week training block with Chaffeys Black Belt Academy, where he trains.
He hopes to also have a fight while in the spiritual home of one of world’s most brutal sports, and one of combat sport’s most effective styles.
“I’m excited,” he said. “I’ve obviously dreamed about this for a long time.”
He added: “I just try to stay in a really positive mindset – just keep myself going.”
McCulloch’s winning attitude was, in part, born out of severe adversity. A high school science lab accident in 2014 left him with burns to 18 per cent of his body and put him in hospital for a month.
He initially felt unease about people seeing the burns to his torso when he fought, but not anymore.
“I just know everyone accepts me.”
He hopes Thailand’s muay thai fraternity will do the same.