Zarif Rashid: From professional Muay Thai fighter in Thailand to a trainer in Bangladesh

Zarif Rashid, a Bangladeshi at a loss of fluency during the primary phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, decided to completely change his life for the better with Muay Thai, one of the most authentic forms of combat in the world. While Bangladesh had other forms of combat sporting clubs of MMA, boxing, and kickboxing, a full-fledged and reliable Muay Thai gym was nowhere to be found.  

This was not something that could stop Zarif. He traveled all the way to Thailand, the home of Muay Thai, and rented a house on the hill tracks to learn this art. Thankfully, he got to meet Ekalak Jhomthong a.k.a Noom, a famous professional Muay Thai fighter by chance and trained with him for a period of time.  

The intricate and strict training provided by Noom taught Zarif the basics of Muay Thai. He later saw this as a massive opportunity for combat sports in Bangladesh and brought Noom along with him to Bangladesh as the head trainer for his new Muay Thai club named XARX club.

Muay Thai is not just a sport, it is a discipline and it can even be a complete lifestyle. It can build one's character and help incorporate discipline into one's life, helping to intensify the level of self-control one has on one's own self.

Another aspect of Muay Thai is its ability to teach a person all about self-defense. In contrast to other forms of combat sport, Muay Thai provides an all-around and realistic approach to fighting and this can help a person be more confident and feel safe.

Especially for women in Bangladesh, Muay Thai can be a great tool to have in your arsenal when walking around the streets. One of the core ambitions behind the establishment of XARX club is to help women feel more safe and confident during their day-to-day activities.

Photo: XARX Club

Essentials:

Sessions: 3 classes per week, 2 hours per session, 12 classes per month

Expenses: Hourly fee (Personal training) – BDT 2,500   

Monthly fee – BDT 10,000

Quarterly fee – BDT 25,000(BDT 50,000 for 6 classes per week)

Yearly fee – BDT 90,000                 

Location: Apt 4/D, House – 22(Ivy's Legacy), Road 108, Gulshan 2, Dhaka 1213.