World Muay Thai: Nur Amisha says sacrifices worth it after taking gold

IPOH – It was all worth it. This is what Nur Amisha Azrilrizal said after clinching her first world title at the World Muay Thai Championship 2023 in the Under-23 (U-23) 51kg women’s category in Bangkok, recently.

The exponent has been making sacrifices for 15 years since taking up the sport of muay thai at the tender age of seven.

The 21-year-old athlete grabbed her first gold medal after several attempts in previous editions of the championship. She won bronze and silver in the 2021 and 2022 editions.

Nur Amisha, who hails from Gunung Rapat, Perak, is pursuing a Diploma in Sports Studies at the Faculty of Sports and Recreation Science, Universiti Teknologi Mara Shah Alam. She said there were just no words she can muster to thank her parents Azrilrizal Abd Aziz and Maizura Mohamad Jaafar for their tireless sacrifices – ferrying her to and from her practice sessions daily after school.

“I am so grateful to them. I also offer my deep appreciation to the coaches, sponsors and educational institutions who have given me so many opportunities and are so understanding. I dedicate this success to all, including all Malaysians,” she said when met at the Penyatuan Ummah Fisabilillah Aidilfitri open house here.

National muay thai athlete Mohd Rifdean Masdor, who won a hattrick after winning his third consecutive World Muay Thai Championship title in the U-23 51 kg category, as well as Muhammad Fadzmi Aiman Mohd Fadzli, who won a bronze in the championship, were also present at the event.

Others who attended the open house included national muay thai coach Bernard Radin, who is also president of the Perak Muay Thai Association.

Meanwhile, when commenting on the challenge of participating in a tough, male-dominated sport, Nur Amisha said there is no gender discrimination in muay thai.

“Each time I train with my male teammates, I receive their punches and kicks... and manage to parry. I am sure there is no strength I can muster other than that,” she added.

Malaysia, represented by 10 athletes at the 2023 World Muay Thai Championships, brought home five gold medals, two silver and one bronze. – Bernama, May 17, 2023