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Rabat – Age is often considered just a number in the world of sports, and young Moroccan kickboxer Hamza Touriou, 15 years old, is living proof of that adage.
Hailing from the city of Nador in northeastern Morocco, Hamza has already achieved several milestones by becoming this year’s Moroccan U16 Muay Thai Champion in the -60 kilogram category, at the Moroccan Muay Thai Championship in the coastal city of El Jadida.
“It was my father who wanted me to start kickboxing. Rather than letting me play on the streets, he chose Rabat Fight Club (RFC). He wanted me to learn discipline in a healthy environment,” Hamza told Morocco World News (MWN) in a recent interview.
Winning the Moroccan championship for his category was a great achievement for the young, promising kickboxer who surprisingly was not enthusiastic about his boxing classes at first.
When asked about why he didn’t seem to like kickboxing, Hamza responded that it was more the idea of losing that frightened him. “It wasn’t exactly the discipline itself but rather Rabat Fight Club,” he explained. The fighters at the Rabat Club “were all good. They had a much bigger level than I had and I hated losing. I wanted to face someone who I could win.”
Over time, however, Hamza’s reluctance to participate in fights at RFC began to fade as the young kickboxer became more confident in his potential. “Losing made me push my limits. Once I started understanding that losing is actually winning, I started enjoying fights,” he said.
The Moroccan Muay Thai Championship held in El Jadida in July 2023 was a turning point in Hamza’s young career, and he remembers every detail; from his coach’s encouraging words to every punch he threw at his opponents, the young champion remembers it all.
“While waiting for my category to be called, I tried to remain focused,” he recalled. “Such competitions require focus and complete control of your emotions (…) Kickboxing is also about composure and calmness.”
Hamza’s performances at the El Jadida tournament were nothing short of spectacular. He triumphed in three fights, two of which ended in knockouts.
“Knockouts are always hard. It’s not about strength, it’s about technique and timing,” he confidently said.
These victories earned him a place in the final fight, where he emerged victorious in a mere 30 seconds. His eyes shining with excitement as he recalled the scene of his impressive victory in the final he beamed: “This was my first victory in any competition. And it was on a national scale. I will never forget this day.”
RFC, The School of Life
Behind every champion is a dedicated mentor. And for Hamza, that important figure is Reda El Azzouzi.
Reda, who is best known for coaching the famous Moroccan-Dutch kickboxer Badr Hari, not only introduced Hamza to elite technical moves, but he also taught the young champion about the mentality required for success.
“Reda has been with me since day one. His dedication to my career and to Rabat Fight Club goes beyond passion. He can give you advice on how to improve your skills while teaching you life values such as respect or courage,” said Hamza.
For the young champion, Rabat Fight Club is more than just a boxing gym; it’s a “school of life where everyone is supportive and respectful of each other and is treated equally.”
Even at the age of 15, the young athlete understands the need for a strong mentality. He pushes himself to train even on his worst days, fueled by the desire to achieve his goals.
“Being 15 doesn’t mean anything in sports. Once you understand that you need to work on your mindset first, then age becomes just a mere number,” he said enthusiastically.
Today, Hamza Touriou is more motivated than ever, quietly setting his sights on victory in each competition, ready to win anything. Between laughs toward the end of our interview, he confessed that his ultimate goal is to make “my parents, Reda and Rabat Fight Club proud.”
His journey from skepticism to championship glory is a testament to his talent and dedication. With Hamza Touriou on the rise, the world of kickboxing certainly has a new Moroccan talent to watch.
