‘It Was Truly An Honor’ – Johan Ghazali Proud To Meet Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim
Teenage Muay Thai sensation Johan “Jojo” Ghazali notched another career milestone, this time one that transcended the four corners of the ring when he met Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim while in Putrajaya.
The 18-year-old knockout artist and his parents spent approximately 90 minutes with the country’s 10th Prime Minister on Wednesday, October 8.
The session at the Prime Minister’s Office marked a significant moment, not just for the young star personally, but for Muay Thai’s growing popularity in Malaysia.
For a teenager who has carried his nation’s flag — the Jalur Gemilang — into ONE Championship’s global spotlight, sitting down with Anwar validated everything Johan has worked to achieve, both inside and outside the Circle.
Johan told onefc.com:
“I just wanna say thank you to him for making the time. I’m extremely grateful. It was truly an honour to meet someone like the Prime Minister. He’s a very charismatic and funny guy.
“We had a great chat. We talked about a lot of things, from Muay Thai to politics. We talked about mindset. We talked about Malaysia. It’s a big step for Muay Thai and Malaysia, and I’m happy to be the pioneer of this sport.”
What impressed the Malaysian-American star most was that the Prime Minister had become a genuine fan of his electrifying performances on the global stage over the past three years.
The Rentap Muaythai Gym and Superbon Training Camp athlete has racked up seven triumphs since debuting in ONE with a 16-second knockout in February 2023.
In Johan’s latest appearance at ONE Fight Night 35 this past September, the Sarawak-based warrior sent Morocco’s Zakaria El Jamari crashing to the canvas in just a little over two minutes to score his sixth highlight-reel win in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
While Anwar was very much impressed with the performance, per Johan, it wasn’t his favorite “Jojo” moment inside the Circle:
“He is actually pretty educated on all my fights. He talked to me about my second fight [against Tai Sor Jor Piek Uthai] in ONE Championship, and how he liked that one the most. He even watched my last fight against Zakaria El Jamari.”
When asked whether this historic meeting could pave the way for ONE to return to Malaysia for another blockbuster event, his response was immediate and confident.
Johan declared:
“100 percent. It’ll be bigger and better.”
Anwar Praises Johan Ghazali’s Impact Beyond Fighting
Following their meeting, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim took to his official Instagram and Facebook accounts to share his thoughts on Johan Ghazali, offering praise that extended far beyond the teenager’s fighting accomplishments.
In a heartfelt post accompanied by photos from their session in Putrajaya, he highlighted the qualities that make “Jojo” an exemplary figure for Malaysian youth.
The Prime Minister wrote:
“I am honored to receive the visit of Johan Ghazali (Jojo), a young Muay Thai athlete, who has brought glory to Malaysia and achieved very proud success on an international stage.
“The determination, discipline, and fighting spirit shown by Jojo reflect the true value of a young Malaysian who does not easily give up in pursuing his dreams.”
What resonated most with the Prime Minister wasn’t just Johan’s knockout victories – it was the young star’s commitment to using his platform for positive change.
Anwar specifically praised the 18-year-old’s anti-bullying advocacy and work to inspire fellow youth:
“Even better, Jojo has been actively speaking up against bullying and participating in awareness campaigns to inspire youth to build self-confidence, resilience, and a positive spirit in daily life.
“I am confident that with continued enthusiasm and support, more young athletes will be born to bring glory to the country on the world stage.”
