KUCHING: Meet Texas Jeremy Lo. At only 15 years old, he already exudes confidence, has a fun and jovial personality that makes him very approachable and likable.
He was easygoing and enjoyable to be around, as observed when his friends at SS Fighters Muay Thai Gym greeted him with a smile and some amusing banter.
Despite his young age, he carries an aura and a sense of maturity that most 15-year olds lack.
Recently, New Sarawak Tribune spoke to the young fighter at the gym regarding his love for Muay Thai and to uncover a future successful fighter in the making.
Love For The Sport
Texas has been in the Muay Thai fighting scene for almost five years now and says that he loves the sport and spends plenty of his time training in the gym.
Currently, he studies at Lodge International School, and he enjoys what he does and pointed out that his teachers are very supportive of what he does.
“Teachers are very supportive (of what I do) and (they tell me to) do what you love and you only get to do this once when you’re young, so it is better to do it now,” he shared.
One would assume that the life of an ordinary young teenager who has dreams of pursuing Muay Thai as a career would neglect his studies, however this isn’t true.
“Well, I don’t have that much time to study, so I always try to finish as much homework in class itself and when I have exams, and I have to study, I would study a bit later in the night,” he said.
He revealed that initially, he started off with Taekwondo but lamented that he was only able to use his legs. Then, the transition happened and he switched over to Muay Thai.
“I like that you can use your hands, your elbows, your knees. I feel it is more realistic to be able to have self defense.”
Texas said that he would love to fight until he turns well into his 30s one day, either 30 to 35 years old, and when his body finally tells him to hang up his gloves.
When asked for any favourite fighter he looks up to, he said: “I don’t particularly have one (favourite) fighter but many, I like to pick up some styles (from the fighters).”
Inspired By A Doting Father
Standing besides Texas during the interview was his father Jeremy Lo, 40, who is a tattoo artist, and very supportive of his son’s interest.
“The reason why I got into Muay Thai was because of my dad, he used to do martial arts basically and I started off with Taekwondo and then I transitioned into Muay Thai,” he said.
Like father, like son, Jeremy also trains in Jiu Jitsu. He shared that he and Texas would fly to Phuket, Thailand to train and fight there.
The name of the gym that Texas fights for currently is called Powerhouse gym which focuses on Muay Thai.
Texas started fighting for the gym in Thailand last year and it has been nearly two years since he began fighting there.
Jeremy shared that after he was introduced to Powerhouse gym in Phuket, the coaches in that gym saw Texas’ technique and they slowly took him under their wings.
“We were just going there to train, the gym was recommended, and we were there and the coaches were like, that’s the material we want,” Jeremy said.
When asked how many times does Texas fly to Thailand, he says that he does so a few times a year, with the support of his family.
“I train here (in Kuching) and in Thailand and I go back and forth maybe three to four times a year,” Texas said.
Jeremy also shared that his son’s success in Muay Thai is due to personal interest.
“It was more of a personal thing than an industry for us, we were not trying to produce a future Sarawakian talent, when he (Texas) started, I already started (in martial arts),” he added.
Jeremy said that to him and his son, martial arts like Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu is a sport of interest and a hobby.
Hopes For The Future of Muay Thai
Despite aspirations and dreams of one day becoming a Muay Thai fighter himself, Texas hopes that more Muay Thai fighters in Sarawak can be a part of this physical and mentally driven sport.
“In Sarawak, it is growing really fast, especially in Malaysia, because it is from Thailand and it is going around Europe and it’s going really well and getting better.”
He noted that in Sarawak, there is a growing number of teenagers his age that are involved in Muay Thai, and despite the small number, he still believes it will continue to grow.
He has won national competitions and has met fighters around the country, therefore he urged teenagers his age and those keen and interested in Muay Thai to keep going.
“It has been quite fun, meeting different people from different places around the country and all the different fighting styles, just to experience it.
“I would say, just keep going, everyday you (will) feel tired and lazy but you gotta keep going.
“It’s mental, you know, what’s the point of stopping halfway, just keep going.”
An exciting future ahead for Texas Jeremy Lo, remember the name.
