‘I had a 10-week training camp for the fight and that involved training twice a day, six days a week and a very strict diet to make the weight required before fight night,’ Hannah Rankin tells me. Her training regime certainly paid off –she not only made her fans and nation proud, but also continued to make huge steps forward for female boxing. Her championship fight, which took place in her native Scotland, made her the first woman to headline a televised card. While in the sporting world many would like to see an increase in the number of female boxers, the musical world is seeking more bassoon players too– indeed there was a campaign initiated in Europe in 2015 called Save the Bassoon, following evidence that only 1% of people in the street would be able to recognise the instrument. The bassoon, alongside the French horn, the double bass and the viola, are orchestral instruments deemed under threat in schools and colleges. Simultaneously taking on both niches, Rankin must be a source of fresh inspiration to both sportswomen and musicians alike.
‘I started the bassoon when I was 15 after a very kind lady from my hometown, Luss (near Loch Lomond) donated one to my secondary school. She said the orchestra needed one. I was playing the flute at the time and thought I'd like to give it a go seeing as everyone played the flute. The instrument I started on was a short-reach full-sized Adler and the school still uses it now.’ Rankin went on to study at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the Royal Academy of music, and now enjoys being in the pit playing for opera and ballet productions. Her love of the bassoon comes not from learning the solo repertoire, but from supporting the rest of the woodwind section with her beefy basslines, helping the ensemble to tell a story. The decision to pursue chamber music playing and a freelance career – as opposed to a full-time orchestral position – has enabled Hannah to work more flexibly around her professional boxing career. Similar to how freelance musicians take on a variety of roles, Rankin's boxing career is about more than just competing. ‘There's more than one path,’ she says, ‘I also teach boxing, give health and wellbeing talks, performance talks, am an ambassador for sports charities – there are many avenues you can take.’
Strong start
Perhaps Rankin's love for variety has something to do with her rich, artistic childhood. She describes her mum as being her biggest inspiration, taking her to music courses, local orchestra concerts, singing carols at the piano, and above all being her biggest supporter. She remembers attending a performance by Maxim Vengerov in Glasgow with her mum, and from then on her mind was made up: ‘It was like magic. I left thinking I want to be on that stage and have the chance to create magic.’
Now, Rankin's hard work has her creating magic not only on the stage but also in the boxing ring. It is a more unusual freelance career, but she points out how well the two pursuits complement each other: ‘Boxing and music actually have a lot in common.
Coriolis, the quintet that Rankin (second from left) is a part of
At music college we are aiming for top level of performing, and it's the same with elite level athletes! We have a similar drive, discipline and an eye for perfectionism that we apply to everything we do. Boxing also requires you to have good rhythm and this is where being a musician definitely helps. Having good breath control and a good core support from playing the bassoon has been very helpful with my boxing as well!’
Rankin highlights the multiple benefits that basson playing and boxing bring to her life, such as improved performance and positive wellbeing. Sports psychology is something that musicians often turn to when faced with performance pressure. Visualising the fight or performance, for example, helps her to prepare for anything that may happen on the night, and allows her to imagine and feel confident about all possible outcomes that she may need to overcome. When her mind is at rest, nonetheless, she still has to take care of her body, making it all the more important for her to stretch out after long rehearsals. She explains that the sporting career has made her more aware of her posture and being stronger and fitter makes rushing around teaching that bit easier.
Proper preparation
A kind donation allowed Rankin to take up the bassoon at age 15
If the combination is as ideal as it sounds, why don't more people do it? Needless to say, the level of dedication required to reach the top of the sporting and musical world is extreme, but people like Rankin prove that nothing should stop someone from setting unique goals. She is reassuring in her advice, that it all starts with a strong belief in yourself: ‘Find people in your discipline that inspire you. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and be proud of your achievements. You'd be amazed at how many people want to see you do well.’
There are, of course, certain precautions that Rankin has to take when juggling two disciplined careers. For instance, her coach Noel Callan takes special care when wrapping her hands – a boxer's wraps are used to provide support to the wrist and some additional protection to the knuckles. If the hands are wrapped too loosely, the repetitive punching puts a lot of strain on the wrist and hands. Done too tightly and blood flow to the hands is restricted. It remains one of Rankin's utmost priorities to protect her hands in order to maintain her playing. In addition, Rankin has also switched up her make-up routine, ensuring that audiences are not distracted by the occasional black eye: ‘Yes, I have done a concert with a black eye but it wasn't noticed at all because my make-up skills have definitely improved since I took up boxing!’
While Rankin prepares for some recording work and a tour with her quintet, Coriolis, she is looking forward to a few weeks away from the gym. We wish her the best of luck defending her title!
You can follow Rankin's exploits on her Twitter account (@Team_Rankin) and the Coriolis quintet can also be found on Twitter (@CoriolisQuintet).Alternatively, you can visit the group's website, coriolisquintet.wordpress.com, to find out more about upcoming performances, as well as contact information.
