Krista Dyer has moved a step closer to becoming a professional kickboxer.

The Bermudian is set to compete today in the 63kg female Emerge Series final in K-1 rules at the World Kickboxing and Karate Association World Championships in Bali, Indonesia, with the winner earning the right to do battle for a professional contract.

“Tomorrow is the chance to fight for the pro contract and it’s an awesome opportunity against a really keen opponent from New Zealand,” Dyer told The Royal Gazette.

The 35-year-old will be venturing into the unknown having not fought without protective gear before.

“This is the first time for me fighting without any protective gear, no headgear, no chest protectors and no shin guards, so it’s going to be exciting,” she added.

Garon Wilkinson, the Bermuda Sanshou Association president, is thrilled over the wonderful development.

“It was announced today that Krista would fight in the Emerge Series final against New Zealand,” he said. ”Krista had to cut weight to make the 63kg category, which is the category that’s included in the Emerge Series.

“The Emerge Series is a professional rules fight series, meaning no headgear and no shin pads, and the winner receives a five-figure pro contract.

“There are various series at different events and the Emerge Series final for this particular event is tomorrow.

“The series winners will then compete for a pro contract, so this essentially is the qualification, and the winner will go to the Emerge finals, which will be at a later date.

“They haven’t decided where the Emerge finals are going to take place. There has been discussions about the UK and US, but the winner of that particular series gets a five-figure contract and then the opportunity to fight in other pro matches.”

Wilkinson said Dyer is a worthy candidate for the Emerge Series final given her impressive track record at this level.

“The match tomorrow against New Zealand is in consideration of her previous performances of winning silver at the last World Championships in K-1 rules as well as Glory rules and also based on the other entries for this World Championships,” he added.

“So they look at your record and previous performances and decide who will go on to the Emerge Series final.”

Dyer got her campaign in Indonesia off to a good start after securing a unanimous points decision over New Zealand’s Michelle Ihaka in her opening match on Thursday

“Today was good to shake off some nerves and find my rhythm,” said Dyer, who dominated the Low Kickboxing bout throughout, with the win a perfect confidence boost ahead of tomorrow’s final.

“It was great for Krista to get a unanimous decision win and build her confidence going into the Emerge Series final,” Wilkinson said.

“It was great to get an initial match in Low Kick Kickboxing rules just to get out those initial sort of jitters.

“Even myself back in the day, fighting in tournament-style competition, I always fought much better in my subsequent matches than the initial match, especially with adrenalin running high and jetlag playing a role.”

Also flying the island’s banner at the event is teenager Kallan Todd, who upstaged 36-year-old opponent Mehran Cheriki via a split decision to advance to the next round.

Todd was paired with the Iranian as he is the sole junior competitor in his category.

“Kallan, as a 16-year-old, didn’t have any other juniors in his K-1 class, so he was matched with an adult and fought well,” Wilkinson said.

“I do personally feel that jetleg played a part in his performance but I think he certainly did enough to pull out a split-decision victory.

“There is no doubt he won the match and I am hoping that in subsequent matches we can get even better performances from him, but overall I was really pleased with his maturity in the ring, particularly against a much older opponent.

“It was a positive day and obviously I’m happy to record the wins. I think both performances were good and I’m looking forward to the competition following today and the Emerge Series final.”

Bermuda’s contingent also includes team manager, Nolette Webb, who is doubling up at the event as a Pan American certified kickboxing judge.