Good Hope International College students Bassam and Maryam bring glory to Sri Lanka in Muay Thai
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Nethmini Chamathya Katupitiya (left) and Maryam Murthaza (right) with coach Fahid
Bassam Murthaza, an eight-year-old kid of Good Hope International College in Mawanella and his elder sister Maryam, 13, are making waves in the sport of Muay Thai or ‘Thai boxing’ which has received provisional recognition as an Olympic sport by the International Olympic Committee.
A combat sport that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques, this discipline is known as the ‘art of eight limbs’ as it is characterised by the combined use of fists, elbows, knees and shins.
Bassam and Maryam were among several medal winners for Sri Lanka at the IFMA Virtual Muaythai World Championship 2020 and the UTS – World Youth Festival 2020.
Sri Lanka athletes were able to secure two gold medals, one silver medal and three bronze medals at the United Through Sports (UTS) World Youth Festival 2020 which was organised under the patronage of IOC International Olympic Committee, International Paralympic Committee, Special Olympics, AIMS, Sport Accord and GAISF. More than 80 sport organisations from all around the world participated for this competition. Sri Lankan athletes represented IFMA (International Federation of Muay Thai Associations) in this competition.
Bassam welcoming the Thai Ambassador during the 2019 National Muay Thai Championship
Products of the Iron Martial Arts Muay Thai Club, Bassam won two silver medals at the IFMA Virtual Muaythai World Championship in the Max Fit / J10 Male Youth and Aero Fit / J10 Coed Youth pairing with Mohamed Fahid Ishak. He won a gold medal at the UTS World Youth Festival in the Max Fit Under-10 Male and bronze medal pairing with Fahid Ishak in the Aero Fit Under-10 category. Maryam paired with Nethmini Chamathya Katupitiya in the Aero Fit (aerobic) event to clinch a silver medal at the IFMA Virtual Muaythai World Championship in the Aero Fit / J14 Coed Youth and bronze medal at the UTS World Youth Festival in the Aero Fit Under-14 category.
It was Bassam who showed an interest in this traditional martial art at the tender age of three prompting his father Murthaza Sadak Ali to take him along for Muay Thai practices when he was at Director of Madina International College in Geli Oya.
There he came under the wing of coach M.H.M. Fahid, a former Central Province boxing champion, who has been coaching since 2009. A NVQ4 qualified Physical Training Instructor from NISS (National Institute of Sports Science), Fahad’s club clinched the Youth championship at last year’s Muay Thai Nationals winning 76 medals.
Imad Murthaza
“Since he was interested in kick boxing I sent him for training wondering whether he could do it or not. After six months he picked up the martial art of Thai boxing and performed shows at the National Muay Thai Championships,” said his father proudly.
“In fact Dr. Chao Wathayotha, a Muay Thai Grandmaster from Thailand was so impressed with his performance and presented him a souvenir,” he added.
Bassam gained international recognition after IFMA saw some of the videos on his Youtube channel Bassam Murthasa Young Hero.
“He has a Facebook page as well and has uploaded some 50 videos. He is not only good in martial arts but a good orator as well,” said Murthaza, an English language teacher by profession. Even IFMA sought his permission to publish Bassam’s videos made when he was just six on their page.
“I feel good after winning a gold medal. I was confident of winning. I am not scared of fighting. I like to play football. English is my favourite subject,” said Bassam, the Grade 3 student of Good Hope International College who dreams of becoming an astronaut.
Bassam performing during the Nationals
Inspired by Bassam, Maryam started following his training at home and showed an interest in the art of Muay Thai about three years ago.
“She started going for practices in 2017. She was the only girl in the class then but now there are 10 or 15 girls,” said Murthaza. Maryam participated in ring fights at the 2019 National Muay Thai Championship winning a bronze medal in the Under-11 30kg and gold medal in the Under-12 30kg category. She also took part in the shadow boxing event.
“I like Muay Thai and am not scared of fighting,” said the hijab-clad boxer, a Grade 8 student of Good Hope International College whose ambition is to be a teacher like her father and become a Muay Thai world champion.
Murthaza’s youngest kid six-year-old Imad is also following in the footsteps of his siblings and has started practicing Muay Thai. “I also like football and swimming,” said Imad.