Namibia’s top female Muay Thai athlete, Sonja Simon, has been in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, since last year, aiming to equip herself with the sport, in order to secure international fights abroad. 
This move came after struggling to obtain sponsors within the country. Muay Thai, or Muaythai, is a combat sport originating from Thailand, utilizing stand-up striking and various clinching techniques.
Ironically, Simon is balancing her athletic pursuits with a career as a fitness coach in Riyadh. Her next fights are scheduled for April and June. 
Speaking to Confidente from Riyadh, Simon emphasized the dual benefit of her relocation, gaining experience as both an athlete and a future coach. “Yes, I am training and working as a fitness coach. I am now staying in Saudi Arabia. A lot of opportunities and great exposure to a lot of Muay Thai trainers.”
She achieved a gold medal at the Kingdom Championship in Riyadh on December 26, 2024. “I have an upcoming event starting 22 April here in Saudi Arabia, and another one, the International Federation Muaythai Association (IFMA) World Championship, where I will be representing the country (Namibia) in Turkey from 22 May to 01 June 2025. All these fights are tournaments,” Simon stated.
Simon believes her training in Riyadh has significantly elevated her fighting abilities. She has applied for government sponsorship for the Turkey championship, although she did not disclose the specific amount or whether the government has confirmed financial assistance. “It has been good, with a lot of training since coming here. I am being coached by Hein. Here, it is different. I get to train and be exposed to different kinds of experiences that will help me in my upcoming fights. My previous training back in the country and in Thailand has helped me sharpen my skills and adjust to training in Riyadh ahead of the upcoming fights. I did not apply for an MTC sponsorship, but did apply for a sponsorship from the government ahead of the IFMA World Championship in Turkey,” Simon concluded.