Elias Mahmoudi Reveals His Inspiration To Face The Toughest Challenges

You might be surprised by Elias “The Sniper” Mahmoudi‘s greatest source of inspiration.

The three-time Muay Thai World Champion had no shortage of positive role models growing up – including his father and uncle who guided him through his martial arts journey – but somebody else’s courage left the biggest impact on his life.

The French-Algerian striker – who competes for the ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Title at ONE: WARRIORS OF LIGHT on Friday, 10 May – is still inspired by the way his mother faced the toughest of tests in life and came out stronger on the other side.

She showed him how to tackle his problems without fear and never quit, and that attitude has led him to immense success in martial arts, and ultimately his biggest opportunity yet against Petchdam Petchyindee Academy in Bangkok, Thailand.

“My mother is the source of inspiration for me because she was a fighter. She lived through a lot of difficulties, but she always held her head high,” explains “The Sniper.”

“When I was around 10 or 11, my mother got cancer. [There were] several cancers, but one was quite serious. My parents preferred not to tell my brother and me, to keep us from it, but we finally [found out].

“At the beginning, I was shocked. It was difficult because I understood that it was serious and that I had to understand the worst [outcome], even though I was very young and I didn’t want to think about those things.”

Although the young Parisian contemplated what his life would be like without his mother, he believed she was strong enough to defeat her disease.

He also knew that the entire family would rally behind her, and they were all there for each other through the most difficult moments.

“[I knew] that my mother wasn’t giving up and would keep fighting until the end, and that was what she did,” he says.

“I knew with my brother, my father, my mother and my family, we could face and confront all this. The difficult times we live through are also those that bring us closer and which bind us even more.”

When Mahmoudi’s mother eventually got the all-clear, the whole family breathed a sigh of relief — they endured a very challenging period and emerged with a stronger bond. 

“The Sniper,” who was entering adolescence, took some vital lessons from the struggle that motivated him both in life and in sport.

Compared to his parent facing her own mortality, the obstacles he encountered in his martial arts career no longer seemed insurmountable.

“What I learned from her was that whatever happens in life, one must not give up, one must hold one’s head high and fight, and I think this is what I try to apply these days in my life,” he reveals.

“She showed us that nothing is lost in life and whatever happens and whatever one might say, like doctors or anyone, if you keep fighting, if you decide that it won’t happen, then it won’t happen.”

Mahmoudi may have to rely on that knowledge when he faces the firepower of Petchdam in the Thai’s hometown of Bangkok. If he shows that inner fortitude when the going gets tough, he could emerge with the biggest prize in all of martial arts.

He expects to face that kind of challenge, but he is determined to prevail to give his loved ones something to celebrate.

“I was very lucky because, despite all these difficulties, my mother is still around to support me,” he explains.

“Making my parents proud is a big honor because they gave everything for me, both my mother and my father, so making them proud by winning these titles is the biggest motivation one can have in life.”