KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia Muaythai Association president Datuk Shahnaz Azmi is not concerned that Muhammad Johan Ghazali Zulfikar’s recent success in One Championship will lead to an inflated ego for the 17-year-old athlete.
Shahnaz said Johan, affectionately known as Jojo, comes from a line of Muay Thai fighters as both his parents used to compete in the sport.
The apple does not fall far from the tree as Jojo’s three other siblings also compete in the art of eight limbs.
When Jojo started competing, success did not immediately fall his way, according to Shahnaz.
“We have exposed Jojo to Asian and world-level competition from when he was a young boy.
“Before becoming the world junior champion last year he used to get fourth, third and second place.
“But he put in the work and that has borne fruit with his recent success in One, even under the spotlight he has not grown a big head. He is still the same Jojo we know,” Shahnaz told reporters recently.
He added that the knockout machine is a role model to those who are interested in combat sports in general.
His relative youth and success in the One Championship ring have elevated the profile of the sport to a new level in the country.
“He knows what to say and what his target is. He is a role model to those who have an interest in combat sports in general and not just Muay Thai.
“He is only 17 and has already won a US$100,000 (RM469,550) contract with a global fighting promotion.
“People who know Muay Thai know Jojo, his parents too are playing an important role in keeping him grounded.
“They are giving him proper guidance and he still has a long way to go, especially with the target of becoming the youngest world champion,” said Shahnaz.
Earlier this month Jojo recorded his fifth consecutive win in One with a knockout of WBC Muay Thai International champion Edgar Tabares.
It was also the Malaysian’s second liver-shot KO in a row and a fourth knockout win overall with the Asian fight promotion. – December 18, 2023