Senitha Senanayake, a combat sports journalist and storyteller, reports exclusively to The Daily Morning Sports about a fighter who comes from the most humble beginnings in rural Sri Lanka, a lady who strives to become the best while fighting her own real life struggles. Hailing from the little hamlet of Pallebowala bordering Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts in Hanguranketha, our champ featured today is definitely a promising prospect for Lanka’s sporting future. She has represented events ranging from the school level to the (IFMA) International Federation of Muay Thai championships.
Staying undefeated in one of the most competitive sports is a dream for most fighters. If you take this reference to a global scene, before Khabib Nurmagomedov, there wasn’t an undefeated fighter in the UFC. The Eagle once said: “Who cares if you are tired from training? Nobody cares.” Khabib pointed out, that is the mentality you need to have to be one of the greats.
Nimesha Kumari, 21 hailing from Hanguranketha, Nuwara Eliya is no stranger to people in the combat sports scene in Sri Lanka. Nimesha is 4-0 in pro-kickboxing and has stayed at the top for over two years dominating any woman who stands across from her in the ring.
Nimesha’s pro-kickboxing debut was in Muay Thai in Featherweight (57kg) back in 2022 at an event organised by WBC Sri Lanka at the Royal MAS arena and it was a display of true dominance. She defeated her opponent at the bout.
In 2023, she was awarded the Best Thai Boxer Award at the National Muay Thai Championships held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium.
The Daily Morning Sports spoke to this remarkable athlete to get an insight into the mindset of a professional fighter.
Your alma-mater Pallebowala National School has produced high-level kickboxers that have brought Sri Lanka glory in the international arena. It has been the start of your kickboxing career. How did you get involved in Kickboxing at school?
I started with boxing at school. My teacher and coach Jamitha Bandara was the one who got me involved in boxing. In 2015, I won the silver medal at the BASL Boys and Girls Schools Boxing Championship. That was my first tournament and after competing in it I realised that I have the potential in martial arts. My coach was nothing but supportive. My parents saw my passion for the sport so they supported me as well.
How was the transition from boxing to kickboxing?
For me, training in kickboxing is harder than boxing, because it encompasses more elements of martial arts. It was difficult at first, but quickly I started to find passion in kickboxing.
How did the opportunity to represent Sri Lanka at the IFMA Youth World Championships 2019 come about?
In 2019, I won the gold medal at the Muay Thai National Championship in my weight category (48kg). I worked very hard leading up to that tournament. After that, I got selected to go to Turkey, the country that hosted the International Federation of Muaythai Associations’ Youth World Championships. Almost 1,300 athletes from around the world took part in it. I competed against a Turkish fighter. Unfortunately, the fight didn’t go my way, but I am glad I got that experience to identify my mistakes.
Being an undefeated fighter in Sri Lanka, what is your training regiment going into a major bout?
If you are not prepared for a fight, you will look helpless in front of a lot of people and you are more prone to damage from your opponent. The more you work in camp, the more you suffer in training, the less you are uncomfortable in the ring. When I am to take part in a fight, be it pro or amateur, I train twice a day, five times a week. I only rest during the weekend. And I have to control my diet making sure that I don’t eat anything unhealthy to maintain the required weight. Building fitness is important for a fighter. And that is what I look forward to the most in training.
You have competed in Pro-Muay Thai and Kickboxing Leagues in Sri Lanka many times. There are several combat sports leagues in the country as of now. As a fighter what do you think about the rise in the number of these organisations?
I like to stay active in this game, then only I can hone my skills and identify my mistakes. I get to compete a minimum of twice a year, but I want to compete more. The more these leagues hold these events, the more opportunities I will get to compete and be a professional kickboxer.
When you started engaging in this sport, did anyone try to put you down or discourage you?
Many told me fighting is something that is not suited for a girl and spoke in a disrespectful manner. Predominantly it’s men who take part in combat sports. But, I didn’t need to pay attention to the naysayers because the three people who matter to me the most, supported my journey. My parents and my coach. Because of their support and love, I didn’t pay attention to negative comments and moved forward in my fighting career.
What are your future ambitions in this sport?
I hope to take part in more WBC Muay Thai and KFL events. I want to stay active in this sport. One day my goal is that I want to represent Sri Lanka at the One Championship. That is where the best kickboxers compete. That is the highest level. There are female combat sports athletes at the One Championship representing countries like Thailand, the Philippines, Japan, and India. I don’t see why a Sri Lankan woman can’t fight amongst them.
Who is your favourite fighter? And why do you like him/her?
Stamp Fairtex. I like her for many reasons. Mainly her personality. The way she celebrates after fights by dancing is really funny and entertaining. It’s her authentic self. Secondly, her fighting style. She is an orthodox fighter who doesn’t mind staying in a pocket and exchanging blows. She has got the dog in her. She is willing to take risks and somehow win the fight by either knocking out her opponent or by way of submission. And her roundhouse kick is out of this world. They are the heaviest kicks I have seen a woman throw in kickboxing or MMA. She is a role model to a lot of women in her country and they look up to her. The way she carries herself with confidence. The way she is proud of who she is inspires me. She is a lovely person outside the ring, but inside, she is a monster. Her technique is flawless, plus she is an all-round martial artist.
What kind of a message would you give to a little girl in Sri Lanka who dreams about fighting?
Kickboxing is a hard sport for most people. If you like it, if you find passion in it, start. You will undergo a plan, face obstacles, and will have to overcome challenges. You won’t get good at it overnight. You need to put in months of hard work and training.
You need to be confident that painful shins and a couple of bruises in your body won’t stop you. The pain is a part of the process. Plus, there is plenty of safety wear in any gym like shin pads and headgear. There are a lot of kickboxing and MMA clubs in Sri Lanka. Do your research, find the right teacher, and invest your time. The result is worth it. Kickboxing can humble your ego and mould you into a better person. It’s a sport that tests you. You will know your limits both physically and mentally through kickboxing. If you decide not to take part in tournaments and competitions, the skills you acquire will also help you to be more confident and strong. Knowing you can throw a punch can be empowering. I know I can stay in a dark alley with one of my little brothers while being able to protect him from potential danger. I know I can keep him safe. At least I won’t be foreign to a potentially dangerous and ugly situation. Plus kickboxing and Muay Thai can be a good hobby to stay healthy and learn as a self-defence mechanism.
On a final note, Nimesha made it clear that her intention this year is to take part in pro-Muay Thai and kickboxing events to extend her undefeated record and according to sources, 2024 will be a year full of kickboxing events.