SA Muay Thai vixen strikes it big on TV

Published Oct 27, 2014

Share

A Cape Town Muay Thai fighter has battled 15 other combatants on the world’s biggest martial arts reality TV series .

Ferial “Felix” Ameeroedien is representing South Africa in season five of the Enfusion – Victory of the Vixen.

The series will be aired around the world early next year, including on DStv.

Ameeroedien told the Cape Argus: “I love learning new (fighting) techniques and how to outsmart your opponents… training and pushing myself to the limit. When you’re in the ring the only person you can really count on is yourself, so it’s the best way to test your own mental and physical abilities.”

The high-profile reality show was shot in Thailand – the home of thousands of Muay Thai fighters and many champions – last month.

Muay Thai is a full-contact combat sport that uses stand-up striking along with various defensive techniques.

It’s fighting style is called, “the art of eight limbs” because it is characterised by the combined use of fists, elbows, knees and shins.

As with most reality shows, contestants are not at liberty to discuss details of the show before it airs on television.

Ameeroedien said taking on some of the world’s finest fighters in the under-54kg category was “pretty hard”.

“All the girls had to fight, do challenges as well as eat and sleep in the same vicinity,” she said.

“Thailand is beautiful and the people were so friendly. Even though I still had to diet… the salads were delicious.”

Ameeroedien, of Lansdowne, is in her early thirties. She started fighting in her teens, following in the footsteps of her sister Rayana.

Rayana runs Rays Muay Thai and Fitness Academy in Lansdowne.

Of her sister’s influence in her joining the sport, Ameerodien said: “I didn’t really have any desire to fight until she started coaching. But when I witnessed her first female students fight… I instantly felt like it was something I really wanted to do.

“I didn’t know much about the sport and was extremely unfit. But she wanted to test my determination. I fought and won my very first fight and haven’t look back since.

“At the time, as a female fighting Muay Thai in South Africa, the amateur circuit was good, but it was extremely hard to get fights once you turned professional.

“I knew I had to leave the country and go overseas if I wanted to compete regularly and ultimately against the best girls in my weight category.”

Four years ago, Ameeroedien moved to Dublin, Ireland, where she also works as a retail manager. She has since competed professionally around the world.

“When I’m preparing for a fight I train twice a day, six days a week. My training includes padwork, sparring, clinching, bagwork, running, hill sprints, as well as strength and conditioning.”

To prepare for the reality show, Ameeroedien followed a strict protein-dense diet of mainly chicken, turkey, eggs, fish, steak, salads and rice.

“I feel honoured to fight and represent South Africa. I think it means more to me because I miss home so much. My only hope is that I can do my country proud.”

Rayana told the Cape Argus on Sunday that the South African martial arts community was rooting for her sister.

“The competition is probably the highlight of her fighting career… I am super proud. I always knew she would be a big success, she was built to fight. She has superb upper body strength and is strong mentally. To make it as a professional fighter requires one to work hard, an ability to take direction from your teacher as well as to adapt quickly to defeat your opponent.”  -  Cape Argus

Related Topics: