Ebrahim staying focused
He has not let the lockdown get him down
THE Covid-19 pandemic has almost brought Mother Earth to a grinding halt.
But for Isghaack Ebrahim, all this means is that he will have to wait that little longer to represent his beloved South Africa at the fifth Thai and International Martial Arts Festival.
Ebrahim was selected to represent the SA Muay Thai Organisation at the event, hosted by the World Muay Thai Organisation (WMO).
The event was postponed indefinitely due to the pandemic, though.
More than 40 countries were set to participate in the event that was originally due to start on March 7 on Pattaya beach front in Thailand.
“It was very disappointing but not demotivating,” said Ebrahim after receiving the news of the event’s status.
“It’s a bleak situation, yes, but health and safety is the No 1 priority right now and takes precedence over everything.
“I am a tough man mentally, so I’ll take it as an extra camp before my next fight.
“My Kru (instructor) Nicholas Radley and team at Thaiholics really pushed me further than ever, far enough to perform at a higher level than before which will only benefit me going forward … so all was not lost,” said Ebrahim, who was set to compete in the sub-75kg pro-am category.
This year’s event was/is set to be even bigger as there are more disciplines included.
The festival will have amateur, pro-am and professional Muay Thai, along with other disciplines like boxing, K1, Muay Boran, and Jeet Kune Do.
But until the event materialises, Ebrahim has focused on what is in front of him and what he can control now, following South Africa’s long and labouring lockdown which saw plenty of businesses, including gyms, close their doors.
“For now we also just recently returned to training.
“Thaiholics is looking to host a GITR (Get in the ring) Muay Thai streaming event this year or when restrictions allow. And I am hoping to fight then,” says the man they call “Issy” in the gym.
Amidst the lockdown mayhem, Ebrahim has taken the time to acknowledge and appreciate all the finer and simpler things in life.
“I am really looking forward to everything when life returns to normal again.
“Gym, fast food, random drives and being able to speak with people face to face,” says Ebrahim, who considered doing Muay Thai training with the help of his wife while training for the Two Oceans Marathon in 2017.
“I have not looked back since,” he added after allowing the Muay Thai bug to land a solid KO.
“I love everything about Muay Thai, especially the traditions and respect among the Muay Thai community.”
With the current lack of opportunities for fighters, Ebrahim has also warmed up to the idea of ‘Fight to Fame’ and the doors it can open for combat athletes across Africa.
Fight to Fame is a new reality show concept based on a #BMS model (blockchain, movies and sport) that has landed on African shores and is tipped to be the new big reality show in the lounges of households across the globe.
The show is designed to create Hollywood movie stars out of reallife combat sports athletes using crypto currency (blockchain) to regulate and purchase within the show.
The show which is being rolled out to 200 countries including
SA will see fighters enter a reality television show where they will be subjected to several assessments including stunt work, acting, training, etc.
The winners from these shows will then have the opportunity to earn a role in a Hollywood movie production and open bigger doors than just that of the fight game – a much-needed opportunity in the thriving and still growing mixed martial arts landscape of Africa.
Fighters from all backgrounds and the public can join Fight to Fame either as a contestant or participate by buying the new FF token to interact in the show.
For more details, visit