Jihin Radzuan Feels 'Blessed' To Be Role Model For Asian Women

Malaysian mixed martial arts phenomenon Jihin “Shadow Cat” Radzuan has gone from an unknown quantity to inspirational icon in less than a year.

The 20-year-old atomweight rising star only made her ONE Championship debut in March, but she has already become one of the most popular athletes in her homeland – and across Asia.

She will take on her most high-profile assignment as a professional on Friday, 7 December as she meets Jenny “Lady GoGo” Huang on the main card of ONE: DESTINY OF CHAMPIONS.

The event will broadcast live from the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

By coming so far, so fast, Jihin has established herself as an inspirational figure. The Ultimate MMA Academy product is an example to people from all walks of life of what can be achieved in the world’s fastest growing sport.

“I’m blessed to be given this chance by ONE Championship. Not many women across Asia have been given this chance, and I’ll take it as it comes,” she says.

“In Malaysia, many women are still yet to fully understand the sport [mixed martial arts], but when they do, I’m pretty sure they would understand the reason I do this.”

Success has brought “Shadow Cat” a lot of attention from martial arts fans, as well as businesses who want her to be the face of their company.

Her popularity has led to opportunities to become a brand ambassador, where she can speak in front of people, spread her message, and allow people to get to know her away from the cage.

Surprisingly, that turned out to be a task that was far more daunting than stepping into a cage to face another woman in hand-to-hand combat for Jihin.

“It’s been a memorable year. People close to me will know I’m only good at fighting, and not good at talking or anything else,” she says.

“But being given the chance to do so has slowly molded me into a more confident person.”

The opportunities have kept coming for “Shadow Cat,” who is being thrust into the public eye more and more with every passing month.

Her profile may have grown as new and exciting opportunities come her way, but she is committed to staying grounded and maintaining her dedication to improving as a martial artist.

“At first it was just fighting, but over the year I’ve also received an acting role and a short role for an advertisement. To look back at the year, I just go, ‘Wow.’”

“For me, the focus is the same – just to train harder and be a better athlete in the cage.”

It has been a whirlwind year for the Johor Bahru native, especially considering her young age.

At the start of 2018, she was virtually unknown outside hardcore Malaysian martial arts fans, but she could head into the new year as one of the scene’s biggest stars – and a potential ONE Atomweight World Title challenger.

However, she is staying humble and committed to working hard so she can rise up the ranks and achieve her goal of competing for her sport’s ultimate accolade.

All that is left for her to do is to defeat Huang at ONE: DESTINY OF CHAMPIONS, and then the sky is the limit.

“I’m not too sure on how big of a name have I created for myself, but I hope the name “Shadow Cat” will become something bigger as the years pass by,” Jihin adds.

“It’s truly an honor, and come 7 December, I’ll show the fans my strength and how much I’ve evolved since my last fight. I’m prepared.”