Mixed martial arts (MMA) is still a growing movement in Malaysia, but one of the country’s most prominent proponents of the sport, Ann Osman, is already throwing down in the global limelight.
Ann Osman, who fights under the nickname “Athena” in the ONE Fighting Championship circuit, has been listed as one of TIME‘s “Next Generation Leaders”, a series of profiles on rising stars in developing and emerging nations.
TIME journo David Stout frames Ann’s career as being that of a Muslim woman from a Muslim-majority country excelling in a sport that many of her countrymen would deem inappropriate for a woman. She stresses, however, that she feels lucky to have the support of her family, and the opportunity to represent Malaysia in the regional and international ring.
On the issue of perceived conflict between her faith and her sport, she says, “We don’t believe religion should stop us. Islam teaches us to work hard.
“I may not be the perfect Muslim woman, but I hope to inspire others.”
She may already have. According to MMA gym owner Lim Yeow Chet, he now has more than 30 women training under him, many of them Muslims, and all of them spurred by the example set by Ann.
“They say, ‘I want to be like her,’” Lim explains. “She’s actually opening up the horizon for women in Malaysia and Asia.”
Check out the TIME video on Ann’s journey in and outside the ring. Keep kicking ass, homegirl!
