Adam Shahir Kayoom

The 29-year-old Malaysian who recently became the Muay Thai World Champion is crouching on the floor, smouldering into the camera. Adam Kayoom looks every bit the Athlete and Warrior, which took him to Bangkok to win this prestigious title. With his handsome features and dark mysterious eyes, he is dressed casually as he models for the inaugural issue of HOMME. Stood close by, his lucky charm. 'This is Jem my fiancee,' he says. Jem brings him good luck : Jemima Wright to the rest of us. Clearly a close confidante, Jemima stood by the ring for every fight to share in the final glory he achieved only a few weeks ago. Our World Champion explained that like a lot of other martial arts, Muay Thai was born from the ancient battlefields of South East Asia. Muay Thai, the combat athletics or the fighting sport from Muay Boran, which is what you see portrayed in movies like 'Ong Bak' and `Tom Yang Goong' (slightly modified for entertainment). Muay Boran came from the fighting art; native of Thailand called Krabi Krabong. Which is the martial science of fighting with the Thai spear and Thai saber, it's quite similar to Jiujitsu's history where the art developed from a weapons-based fighting system for the soldier to have an ability to survive the battle ground if he lost his weapons and was left with no option and empty handed. Adam returned to Malaysia triumphant and now stays in the Ampang area. Pleased to be home he explains that he missed his family. Adam comes from a very close family. Like a true Malaysian he misses the food, his favourite haunt is close by at Suzie's Corner. We asked Adam if he had any other secret haunts in his address book to share: 'I don't really have a secret address book, wait a minute if it's a secret book I don't think I should be telling anyone. My favourite hang out spots are places where I usually train. My favourite gyms (fighting gyms), there are a few places, a few in Brazil - Sul Jiu-jitsu, Thailand - Jitti Gym and E-Mac, Australia - Bruno Panno, Gracie in Sydney and Malaysia - Vince Choo, KDTA.

My favourite places I still like to go and hang out are toy stores - Toys R Us and bookstores, Kinokuniya, Borders, my latest is a Japanese book on a Judo Player named Koga. Hey, let's not forget home too... with the family'. Like any good son, Adam freely admits he adores his Mum's cooking. `She is a brilliant cook, like I've said before and I'll say it again, if anyone begs to differ, we can sort it out, just give me a call. I remember a memorable meal, when I thought it was going to be my last. It was in Cambodia, oh boy that one I'll never forget'.

With a passion for books and knowledge bordering on extravagance it is not surprising that this Champion has a vision for Malaysia. 'I would really like the Malaysian Government to invest and establish ventures that would be focused on sports and creative organic learning centres'. When HOMME spoke to an old friend of Adam's recently, the close friend admitted that Malaysia has absolutely no idea what Adam Kayoom has achieved. We asked Adam to share his philosophies. He has two. 'Both of these philosophies I took from people I highly respect; first one and I live by this one, Warriors: never be below anyone and never let anyone be above you. The second is real Champions aren't made by others, real champions make themselves'. In his 'off-time' you might catch this hero listening to R&B artist "Musiq", or favourite rap artist DMX, or watching his latest VCD - Ultimate Fighting Championships. But the romantic Champion admits he has a super hero in Superman (DC Comics) and Arc Angel (X-men, Marvel Comics). Sportsmen also get Adams attention, Randy Corture of Mixed Martial Arts fame and Attachai (a Thai Boxing hero). Adam told HOMME he now seeks sponsorship to fight overseas in Mixed Martial Arts Thai Boxing, in Thailand, Japan and U.S.A. 'Currently I teach MMA, Jiu-jitsu and Thai boxing, if interested I can be reached at adam_kayoom@hotmaiI.com'. We asked Adam whether his life had changed since becoming World Champion? 'It hasn't really, I'm still the same person now as I was before (maybe I've gotten to know more about myself). I learnt from a Sensei that when you win, you are Champion at that hour, partly because it was your day, the longest... that day, then it's finished.'

After he had spent a day posing for photographs, he raced downstairs to change into his own clothes and looked comfortable in his D&G jeans and a casual shirt with a rather imposing waft of Hugo Boss fragrance. Adam has an intelligent, forceful and demonstrative presence. How does modeling compare with fighting, we enquired? `Not even in the same universe. One of my pet hates is when I hear models complaining or showing off and acting obnoxious. The things I've seen having been involved in the fighting world and the things I've seen other fighters go through, their effort and sacrifice, I'm talking about the guys who fight to feed their families, doesn't even compare, don't get me started. I got one thing to say to those type of people, check yourself and shut it!' Adam wants to open his own fighting gym together with his fiancee who also teaches. Is he nesty, `Oh, yes,' he replies quickly, `I like talking and hanging out with my family in the kitchen, don't know why just do. I make tea and toast in the morning and read my books. My pet cats are around too'.

When we finished our intriguing interview with our very first HOMME Ambassador, we asked Adam what advice he would give to a young guy interested in succeeding in Muay Thai? 'Try to have a balanced attitude and approach to your training. Enjoy the journey not the destination, and I wish them "Chok Dee" (it's Thai for good luck).'