Ahmed Fahim

Egyptian tiger

Shiai Magazine: Welcome to Shiai Magazine “The International African Martial Arts Magazine”, please tell us about your life and what pushed you to practices martial arts?

 

 

AHMED FAHIM

i was born in Egyptian city al Mansoura, in a very athletic family - my father and uncle were amateur boxers. as a kid i loved kung fu movies with Bruce Lee and Jackie chan - that was what pushed me to start doing kung-fu, first in a small gym, and then, when I was 16, and scored first in al Mansura athletic championship, and second in a Egyptian kung fu championship, - i got the invitation to join the national king fu team of Egypt. i got the first rank in the international championship between Egypt and Algeria, and in a few years, my interest switched to kickboxing - pure fighting, with no wrestling, and during the international kickboxing championship between Egypt and Morocco in 2000, I earned the first rank. I also got the Arab thai boxing champion, first rank in 2004. And the WKA invited me to participate in a pro muai thai match in New York, and that's how I started my career as professional kick boxer in the United States. i got my first pro title - New York state pro middle weight title full contact 72 kg in 2008, and a year later i defended it. in 2010 i became new K1 world champion. I also studied sports science - i have a bachelor degree in physical education from Alexandria university, Egypt, at 2003. i am united states of America certified personal trainer.

 

shiai Magazine: As an African from Egypt are you aware of traditional fighting forms in your country or Africa in general?

AHMED FAHIM

You've probably heard of Tahtib - stick fighting - a martial art that originated in Egypt. it relies primarily on the use of a wooden stick for striking, defensive or dodging techniques.

 

Shiai Magazine: You studied Kung-Fu and switch to Kickboxing later on why so?

AHMED FAHIM

kung fu is mix of punching, kicking and wrestling. wrestling allows you to easily catch the opponent's legs, and throw him on the floor. I have very good kicking skills, but the wrestling part never really allowed me to show them. that's what made me turn to kickboxing - clean kick-and-punch action, where I could show myself in kicking, flying kicks, and fast punches.

 

 

Shiai Magazine: during your competitions of Kung- Fu and Kickboxing have you experience racism since you are an African?

AHMED FAHIM

i've been living in America for 3 years now, and never had i experienced any race discriminations. in the fighters world it is not about the race, origin or skin color - it is only about your skills, abilities and power.

Shiai Magazine: What do you think of level of martial arts practices by Africans in the world?

AHMED FAHIM

a lot of world boxing and kickboxing champions are African. and there is even more talented fighters who just never had a chance to show themselves on the worlds scene. i was one of them - up until i got a chance to fight in America.

Shiai Magazine: Tell us about your working conditions in US compared in Africa concerning your martial arts training?

AHMED FAHIM

in the United States i got the attention, management and level of training I needed, the better equipment to practice with, better opportunities. and I hope to get a lot more, when Istill have the whole future in America, to be one the best fighters in the world. but all of this would be useless without the basics i got in Egypt.

 

Shiai Magazine: when you became new k-1 world champion how did people reacted back in Egypt and Africa in general?

AHMED FAHIM

I got the chance to challenge Tarek Rached, 6 times word champion, to fight him in 2010, I beat him and got the world k1 champion title, becoming one of the world stars. and not only American, but Egyptian and African newspapers talked about me.

Shiai Magazine: What are your future plans in the martial arts?

AHMED FAHIM

I will continue fighting, to stay one of the best fighters in the USA and the world.

 

Shiai Magazine: Are you interested to become a martial arts film actor in Africa?

AHMED FAHIM

I've already done action scenes in couple Egyptian movies long time ago, and of course it would be nice to be an action movie star, but i believe that my future is in America now, so i guess we should be talking about American movies..

 

Shiai Magazine: Are you aware of upcoming International African martial arts movies Lost Brother “Waka-waka man” and Live or die in Africa formerly called Dirty Risks, do you think that Africa can produce and make a great action films?

AHMED FAHIM

I heard about it, and i think that Egypt and Africa has a very good poetntial.

 

Shiai Magazine: What advice can you give to African child who wants to succeed in life although things are very difficult in his life?

AHMED FAHIM

Pray, believe in yourself, and workout hard.

 

Shiai Magazine: Do you have any future projects you wish to talk about?

AHMED FAHIM

I have an upcoming kickboxing fight, - this is the biggest project for now. i'm also planning on opening my own gym, but it's a little too soon to talk about it.

 

Shiai Magazine: What do you think of this African online martial arts magazine? Should people support African initiatives?

AHMED FAHIM

it is a great work you guys doing - bringing the light onto the aArican fighters, and supporting them.

 

Shiai Magazine: Any last words?

AHMED FAHIM

I am very happy to be world champion, and iIwill work hard to the best of the best.

 

Shiai Magazine: Thank you my brother for accepting the interview of Shiai Magazine, I hope one day you will visit us in our beautiful country Cameroon, God bless you brother and your entire family.

AHMED FAHIM

Thank you, and come visit us in the United States.