Kouat Noi Turns to Boxing in Return from Injury

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Cairns Taipans forward Kouat Noi has turned to combat sports in his comeback from a PCL tear that he suffered in NBL21.

Cairns Taipans forward Kouat Noi has turned to boxing as he continues his comeback from a PCL tear that he suffered in NBL21.

Noi, who signed a new two-year deal with the Snakes this off-season has put an emphasis on strengthening his lower body and strapping on the gloves in a bid to come back better than ever.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/CairnsTaipans?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CairnsTaipans</a> have locked up Kouat Noi (<a href="https://twitter.com/KouatN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KouatN</a>), re-signing the forward on a two-year deal (second year mutual option) ??<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL22?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL22</a> <a href="https://t.co/5lGOVJUznU">pic.twitter.com/5lGOVJUznU</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1408668450713571330?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Speaking with Channel 7 Cairns, Noi shared some details of his off-season regime.

"It was mainly just strengthening the my lower body, my legs, so that has been a big emphasis for me during the off-season, always in the gym trying to get stronger," Noi said.

"I'm a big UFC fan so I tried to get in the punching bag, punch a little bit, learn different skills."

New Taipans Assistant Coach Kerry Williams hasn't seen Noi's hands in action, but he did note that the former TCU star was in great shape ahead of NBL22.

"I haven't seen him box. I heard he's been boxing but he's in pretty good nick" Williams explained.

For now, the 23 year-old Noi is just happy to be back on court after being injured in NBL21 as well as missing time in NBL20.

"I'm back on court, I'm so happy to finally step back on court and play basketball again, it's a good feeling."

Limited to 18 games last season, Noi averaged 10.1 points and 4.5 assists with a season-high 27 against Melbourne in February. His final game came against the Kings, with Noi suffering a PCL tear.