As our muay thai team prepares to step inside the ropes at our interclub on Saturday 11th July, excitement is building for athletes and spectators alike. The event will bring together a mix of decision and non-decision bouts, showcasing the hard work, skill and determination of athletes from across the muay thai community.

Having strong role models and supportive spaces can play an important part in helping young people feel they can step in the ring to compete. For Fight for Peace athlete Javic, guidance from coaches Star and Athena, together with the community she found through the sport, gave her the confidence to step outside her comfort zone and discover what she was capable of in muay thai.

Javic first discovered muay thai while studying at King’s University, where she joined a women only muay thai society with a friend. “That’s where I met Coach Star,” she says. “A few months later, she introduced me to Fight for Peace.”

Although Fight for Peace was only a short distance from where she lived, taking that first step into a new gym initially felt daunting for Javic. “When you first meet me, I’m a very shy person. My friend and I kept saying we’d go together when we were both free, but months passed and I was still putting it off. One day I decided not to keep waiting and just came.”

In May last year, Javic took a leap of faith and attended her first muay thai session at Fight for Peace, and while it took some time to settle in, she quickly found a welcoming community and a place where she could continue developing her skills.

A key part of that journey was joining Modest Moves, women only training sessions led by Coach Athena and delivered at our Academy. “It was really nice to progress in Modest Moves,” she says. “I think it helped me build confidence in the way I train and my mindset in training.”

For Javic, having women coaches and training spaces where she felt comfortable asking questions, learning and progressing made all the difference to her development and growth. “Muay thai is still quite male-dominated. A lot of times I’m the only woman in a session, so that can feel intimidating. Coming from the women-only sessions really helped me build confidence.”

That confidence gradually started to show up in other areas of her training, as working alongside more experienced fighters became less intimidating and more of an opportunity to learn. “One of the biggest challenges was becoming comfortable training with different people and with more experienced fighters. It challenged me, but it also helped me grow.”

When we hosted our home interclub last year, competing wasn’t something Javic had planned for. “I never thought I would compete. When I started muay thai at university, I thought it would just be a hobby.” But with encouragement from coaches Athena and Star, she decided to take another leap of faith.

“I wasn’t going to do it, but then I thought I might regret it if I didn’t. Coach Athena was encouraging me and telling me I could do it. We spoke to Coach Star and she agreed. I’m really glad I did.”

Since then, Javic has taken part in several interclubs, including events at Muay Thai Masters Academy and Team Tieu – building experience and confidence with every bout. While she still gets nervous before stepping into the ring, her relationship with those nerves has changed.

“Coach Star always says that nerves and excitement feel very similar, so I try to think of my nerves as excitement,” Javic shared. “I’ve also learned to trust the preparation I’ve put in.”

“At an event, I met the footballer Laura Georges, and she shared a quote that has stayed with me. I can’t remember the exact wording, but it was something like: “I know who I am, and I know what I’m capable of.’ That reminder helps me stay confident in my abilities and trust the technical skills I’ve worked hard to develop when I’m competing.”

Away from competition, it’s the wider benefits of muay thai that keep her coming back. “Being able to move my body is one of my favourite things about muay thai. I also love the community and the people I train with. The coaches genuinely want you to grow.”

Looking ahead to the upcoming home interclub, Javic is excited to step back into the ring. “I’m excited to show how far I’ve come since my first bout.” She’s equally excited to see more women getting involved in the sport. “It’s really nice to see more women coming into muay thai and giving it a go.”

For anyone thinking about trying the sport, especially young women – Javic’s advice is simple: “Don’t hold yourself back because of your own fears. Sometimes you have to put yourself in uncomfortable situations and over time they become comfortable. Even if you try something and decide it’s not for you, at least you gave it a chance.”

“If you’re coming to our interclub Saturday 11th July, you’ll see a lot of skillful people, good energy and a strong sense of community. There are some amazing fighters coming through, including some new women fighters, which I’m really excited about!”

Join us on Saturday 11th July as Fight for Peace hosts its first muay thai interclub of 2026 and celebrates the dedication, progress and community spirit that make the sport so special!