IFMA wishes good luck to muaythai champion Maryam El Moubarik short-listed as Athlete of the Year in Morocco.
Meriem won gold for Morocco at the 2016 IFMA World Championships, held in Jonkoping, Sweden. She was the first athlete to climb the gold podium while wearing a hijab. She took silver at the 2017 tournament.
Last year Meriem represented Morocco at The World Games in Wroclaw, Poland – the first time muaythai was at these Games. So Miriem is a pioneer in more ways than one.
Sue Glassey, head of the IFMA Female Commission said: “Meriem is a great role-model for young women, and especially for young Muslim women who would like to take up martial arts including muaythai.
“We are very proud to see her accomplishments in the muaythai ring recognised by the Moroccan sports world. And we certainly wish her all the best of luck in the voting!”
Talking about her love of muaythai, Miriam said: “I love muaythai. Nobody can stop Moroccan women from doing muaythai, we all love training! Maybe someday I will be the national coach, why not? Inshallah.”
She started training as a young girl when her father took her to the gym, and she instantly fell in love with this sport.
Maryam also competes successfully in kickboxing for Morocco.
And you can follow her muaythai journey on Instagram @maryamti_mery
