When he was a schoolboy, Sham Raaj Elansharan would get bullied because of his small stature. Childhood was rough for him – he often got beaten up by peers and extended family members over trivial issues.
Now 28, Mr Sham recalls telling his single mum he wanted to learn muay thai (Thai boxing) to defend himself against bullies.
He was then 13 and felt he had no other option, so he signed up to learn the martial art at the Bia Muay Thai gym in Boon Lay.
He was short-tempered and would pick fights with anyone who provoked him. He also mixed with bad company.
His family branded him a “difficult kid”, and he had no interest in his studies. Three years after he started learning muay thai, Mr Elansharan was arrested for robbery and assault, beating his victims up and snatching their mobile phones.
He went to prison thrice and decided it was time to turn over a new leaf after his release in 2017.
Mr Sham asked his muay thai coach Bia Sonthaya Dunpheri for advice and trained to become a coach himself, honing his muay thai skills and taking part in competitions.
“I participated in 22 muay thai competitions in Singapore and Thailand,” he said.
“I became more proficient in the sport and started teaching.
“During the pandemic, I did virtual classes to make ends meet. Once the restrictions were lifted, my students were eager to start physical lessons.”
Last year, along with his former student Sarah Shaheeda, a 42-year-old pre-school principal, Mr Sham opened a muay thai gym, Gifted Fight Academy, at Jalan Besar. Today, the gym has more than 100 students enrolled.
Apart from teaching muay thai, Mr Sham helps his students become better versions of themselves, instilling discipline and guiding them in finding their purpose in life. “Youth at risk can improve through muay thai. I make sure they do not stray,” said Mr Sham, who pays extra attention to young ex-offenders.
Mr Sham partners the Singapore Indian Development Association (Sinda) to provide muay thai workshops for youth.
Now that his life is “sorted”, Mr sham aims to open more muay thai gyms across the island and look at various business opportunities.
He also wants to spend quality time with his mother and younger brother Prithiv, who is a former national boxer.
