Lucia Rijker was training in judo at the age of 6, becoming a part of the Dutch National Softball Team at age 7 and the Netherlands Junior Fencing Champion at age 14. Rijker started training in kickboxing at 15 years old, knocking out the American Kickboxing Champion Lily Rodriguez and continuing to gain a 36-0 record with four world titles.
Rijker’s boxing career was equally impressive with 17 wins and 14 KOs, earning her the Women’s International Boxing Federation (WIDF) Welterweight title and legendary status.
Known as the “Most Dangerous Woman in the World” and the “Dutch Destroyer,” Rijker took a short hiatus from the ring to pursue several acting roles. These included an appearance in the 2004 Oscar-winning film Million Dollar Baby and an award-winning documentary in 2000 about her life called Shadow Boxers.
On top of Rijker’s extraordinary career in the ring, she speaks four languages fluently and hosts lectures and seminars about reaching one’s full potential, with a focus on staying in peak physical condition.
Lucia Rijker was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2020.