A Singaporean cage fighter who was teased at school because of his Tourette’s syndrome says the condition is no disadvantage as he aims to kick and punch his way to the top.
Nineteen-year-old Amir Khan was once embarrassed by the tics and twitches caused by his disorder, but his classmates would not be laughing now.
The rangy, 180cm featherweight, a specialist in striking with his knees, feet and fists, will enter the cage at Singapore Indoor Stadium for his second pro fight at ONE FC 22 on Friday — and one day hopes to be a world champion.
Photo: AFP
During an interview, Khan largely had his Tourette’s under control, a result he says he has achieved through the twin disciplines of martial arts and meditation.
“After I did martial arts, partly because I look better and mentally I feel better as well, I have more confidence,” he says, after one of his twice-daily workouts at a downtown gym. “So everything helps me, martial arts and meditation.”
“Whenever I’m nervous, I twitch more, but I learned to control it over the years,” he adds. “As long as I keep my heart rate low and I breathe properly and keep my mind clear, I can control it.”
Khan is not the only athlete with Tourette’s, a neurological disorder that causes twitches and, in rare cases, verbal outbursts.
Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard, who pulled off a record 16 saves in the US’ World Cup match against Belgium this year, has said Tourette’s has given him faster-than-normal reflexes.
Khan says he is not sure if his condition makes him quicker, but it does help by putting off his opponents who lose focus when they see him twitch during a fight.
“I have quick reflexes, but I’m not sure if it’s because of that [Tourette’s]. But it’s not a disadvantage at all, that’s all I can say,” he says. “Some people say they get distracted, because they wonder what I’m doing, so that’s what I think may give me a slight advantage.”
Khan says he took up martial arts to gain confidence after a difficult time at school, when his Tourette’s was at its worst.
“When I was a kid at primary school, I always did it [twitch],” he says. “Of course I got teased, I was young and I was embarrassed because my friends would tease me behind my back. So I didn’t really enjoy my school days. After a while, I gained more confidence and it subsided. I felt more confident and I wasn’t embarrassed about myself.”
“I don’t really care now, but I don’t think they would tease me now,” he says.
Now Khan alternates between sessions in Muay Thai boxing, wrestling and Brazilian jiujitsu as he prepares to face Pakistan’s Waqar Umar (3-1) in front of thousands of fans on Friday.
His eventual goal is a world title, and his advice for other youngsters with Tourette’s is clear: “Own it” and do not try to hide.
“You can’t be ashamed about yourself. You don’t have to be ashamed — own it, don’t fake it or hide it,” Khan says. “Some people say: ‘I just have a cough’ or something, but just own it and meditate, eventually it’ll subside. Just be patient.”
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