Thirteen-year-old Khushnaaz Siganporia holding national titles in two martial arts — Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu – became the youngest Indian to make her professional debut (permitted only gloves and teeth guard as protective gear as compared to amateurs who use head, elbow, chest and shin guards) in Muay Thai. Referred to as the art of eight limbs, Muay Thai allows a fighter to strike the opponent by punching, kicking, using elbows or knees as compared to Jiu-Jitsu that requires expertise in grappling, ground fighting and submission holds.
Khushnaaz Siganporia (r) with coach Balakrishna Shetty
Competing in the under 14 years, 37-40 kg weight category, in her first international fight in Koh Samui (Thailand) on June 8, 2024, Khushnaaz defeated her Thai competitor by "a technical knockout (TKO).” The referee stopped the fight prior to the completion of the third round due to Khushnaaz’s "technical superiority,” explained her father Farzad. To ensure a fair fight, when pairing a duel, the three main parameters that are balanced are weight, height and age, stated Farzad in response to queries from Parsiana.
Prior to her professional debut, she attended a two-month camp at Lamai Muay Thai, a boxing gym in Thailand affiliated with the World Muay Thai Council. From September 11 to 20 she will once again be in Bangkok to represent India at the Muay Thai competition organized by the International Federation of Muay Thai Associations (IFMA).
Khushnaaz is currently preparing to represent Maharashtra in the Jiu-Jitsu Western India grappling competition at Indore from July 19 to 21. On April 1, she was declared the national Jiu-Jitsu champion in her weight and age category at an event organized by the Jiu-Jitsu Association of India in Lucknow. She secured two national gold medals in the Newaza (grappling or wrestling) and Contact (grappling and striking) categories.
A student of Rustomjee Cambridge International High School (Dahisar branch), after attending school from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Khushnaaz completes her homework and revision for a couple of hours before she starts her nearly 3.5 hours of training (spread across the day), six days a week. Coached by Balakrishna Shetty at Total Combat Fitness, her varied training sessions include strength and conditioning, on her own and with a personal trainer, combat related striking and grappling, swimming and running. Sunday is reserved for recovery.
Khushnaaz began her martial arts journey in the Shotokan style of Karate when she was just five years old. After receiving her brown belt at the age of eight she declared, "Karate competitions are not full contact and do not give me the opportunity to display my strength,” recalled her father.
Hoping that Khushnaaz will be able to earn sponsorship support, her parents are keen to see her "participate in all international tournaments and make India proud.”