PENGERANG: Rising Malaysian Muay Thai athlete Nur Amisha Azrilrizal (pic) is determined to change the game and encourage more women to take up a sport still largely dominated by men.
At 23, the Muay Thai star aims to become a role model, proving that skill, grit and determination can triumph over gender bias.
Amisha said fighters – especially women – need to build a strong personal brand, as commercial opportunities in the sport are limited.
“International Muay Thai competitions give me the chance to showcase my skills, connect with other fighters and grow my career,” she told The Star in an interview.
The young athlete will represent Malaysia at the SEA Games next month, where she is targeting gold.
“I already have bronze and silver from past SEA Games.”
Her toughest challenger, she admitted, will be from host nation Thailand, but she has been preparing mentally and physically since January.
Her training regimen is intense, involving camps in Chatuchak and Saraburi in Thailand before continuing her preparations in Bangkok with the Malaysian team.
Despite the demanding schedule, Amisha continues her studies at Universiti Teknologi Mara, where she is pursuing a degree in Sports Science.
However, she has partially deferred her studies to fully focus on the SEA Games and upcoming competitions.
“Right now, my schedule is packed. I had to postpone one semester for the SEA Games and Coastal Combat, which will be held in Desaru, Johor, next January,” she said.
Looking beyond the SEA Games, Amisha has ambitious plans to turn professional in 2026, and hopes her participation in Coastal Combat will catch the attention of regional promoters.
“Amateur competitions will still be important for representing the country, but I also want to compete in professional leagues like the Rajadamnern World Series,” said Amisha, who credits her family for supporting her decision to go professional.
“This year, I needed to stabilise my amateur record first. Next year, with no SEA Games, I can focus on the professional circuit.”
Her professional record currently stands at 34 fights, with five losses and one knockout (KO) victory.
She explained that her matches are always against credible opponents from other countries, making each win significant.
“Even if someone has consecutive KOs, I can still go the full rounds and win on points. It proves I can handle high-level competition.”
She hopes to inspire other female fighters by showing that it is possible to start from zero and achieve success through dedication.
“It doesn’t matter where you come from, you can succeed through hard work and determination.
“Every fight, every event, it is a step toward proving that women can excel in this sport. I want to be a role model for the next generation,” she said.
