Welcome to an exclusive interview with Sirine Biri, a rising star in the world of Muay Thai. At just 23 years old, Sirine has already made a significant mark in her weight category of -54kg.
Sirine’s journey into Muay Thai is as inspiring as it is impressive. Balancing rigorous training with her academic pursuits in medicine, she embodies determination and passion.
Today, she shares her story, insights, and experiences that have shaped her career in this demanding martial art.
Who is Sirine Bir?
Sirine Biri is a prominent Muay Thai athlete, born on March 1st 2001 in the Parisian suburb of Pantian to parents of Algerian origin. She started her journey in martial arts at the age of 12 at Pantin Muay Thaï (PMT) in France, where she still trains.
Initially, she took up boxing to learn self-defence, encouraged by her mother. Her dedication quickly grew, and after a break during high school, she resumed training with greater intensity.
In 2019, Sirine achieved a remarkable milestone by winning the French junior championship in her first year of competition. This victory, among others, highlighted her potential and dedication to the sport.
She trains 3 to 4 times a week, balancing her rigorous training schedule with her studies, demonstrating her commitment to the martial art.
Sirine’s journey is not just about personal achievements but also inspiring other young girls to pursue martial arts. She encourages them to overcome their fears and stereotypes associated with combat sports, proving that even those who are shy and reserved can excel and find empowerment through Muay Thai.
Age: 23
Birthplace: Paris, France
Weight Category: -54kg
Martial Art: Muay Thai
Interview with Sirine Bir
Hi Sirine, thank you for joining us. To start, can you share a bit about your journey into Muay Thai? What inspired you to start training, and how old were you?
I started at the age of 13; my mom signed me up. She wanted me to learn how to defend myself! I used to do oriental dancing.
Do any of your family members also practice Muay Thai, or were you the first to get involved in the sport?
I’m the first in my family and the only one.
I understand you have Kabyle origins from Algeria. Which Kabyle village do you come from, and how has your heritage influenced your approach to Muay Thai or your personal journey in the sport?
I am Algerian, more precisely Kabyle. We are known for being proud and determined warriors. I try to embody those qualities! I am from the wilaya of Tizi Ouzou (I prefer to keep my village a secret).
You’ve achieved impressive results in Muay Thai while studying medicine. How did you manage to balance such a demanding training and competition schedule with your medical studies?
It’s a matter of will and determination, I think. I love Muay Thai, but my priority was still my studies. My life revolved around my training and classes.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while juggling both pursuits, and how did you overcome them?
My fights always coincided with my exams, adding even more stress and fear of failing. I had no choice but to work even harder to ensure a future for myself and not miss my fights. In both cases, many people were counting on me. It was all a mental challenge, honestly.
Can you describe a typical week for you when you were in the midst of both training and studying? How did you structure your time to ensure you could excel in both areas?
I had an internship or class at the university every day of the week, and I continued with my training in the evenings. On days when I didn’t have an internship or class, I added an extra training session, such as physical preparation, in addition to the evening training.
Muay Thai requires a significant physical and mental commitment. How did you maintain your motivation and focus in both your training and academic work?
In these environments, we don’t always feel motivated. Sometimes, we even want to give up, but our love for Muay Thai is stronger. We commit to stepping into the ring and can’t disappoint our team.
Regarding my studies, I had to succeed. My goal in life is to make my parents proud, and succeeding in my studies contributes to that objective. So, I had to succeed, no matter how difficult it was.
How do you manage your schedule currently between working as an orthoptist, training, and competing? What does a typical week look like for you in terms of working hours and training sessions?
My weeks are always organized the same way. We juggle between work, training, fighting, and rest. I work three days (9am-7pm) a week. On those days, I train only once, in the evening. On the days I don’t work, I train twice. We try to always keep 1 to 2 days of rest anyway.
What advice would you give to others who are trying to balance a demanding sport with a rigorous academic or professional career?
I am proud of winning my first fight and earning the title of French junior champion in 2019 during my first year of competition. I never thought I could achieve that!
Looking ahead, what are your future goals in Muay Thai, and how do you plan to continue pursuing them alongside any other professional or personal aspirations you might have?
Honestly, I don’t know. I just want to see how far I can go and how well I can balance work, personal life, and sport. It’s all about passion and enjoyment.
Are there any particular moments or achievements in your Muay Thai career that you’re especially proud of?
I am proud of winning my first fight and earning the title of French junior champion in 2019 during my first year of competition. I never thought I would be capable of achieving that!
What has Muay Thai taught you, both as an athlete and as an individual?
Muay Thai taught me that work is essential if you want to move forward, that you have to be mentally strong, and be determined. No longer be afraid to do what you want to do.
Do you have any pre-competition rituals or routines that help you prepare mentally and physically for a fight?
I don’t really have a ritual before my fights, but I admit that I like to dance before, during, and after.
Note: You can see Sirine Dancing on the video below!
View this post on Instagram
How do you handle nerves before a competition, and what strategies do you use to stay calm and focused?
I’m not going to give everything away, but I’ll tell you a couple of things. I focus on my breathing, I focus on my fight, and I dance in the locker room.
How do you deal with injuries, and have you had any serious injuries in your career? If so, how did you recover from them and return to competition?
I’ve had injuries before. When that happens, we assess whether it hampers my training or requires a complete stop. Sometimes, a period of forced rest is necessary, and I consult all the specialists to help me recover. All boxers have injuries, all in different ways, but we love the sport so much that we train anyway (when it doesn’t stop us from training!).
With Muay Thai being showcased at the 2024 Paris Olympics, how do you feel about the sport’s inclusion in such a major global event? Would you be happy to see Muay Thai included in the Olympic Games in the future?
I am extremely happy to see that Muay Thai may one day have its place in the Olympic Games! And I can’t wait to see that! Seeing the sport I practice in such a competition would be incredible!
What do you think could be improved to make Muay Thai a more popular sport or to increase awareness about it?
Organizations should respect athletes a little more by paying them properly. Then, come together in a single federation in the world. There are far too many federations; it’s too scattered.
What strategies do you think could be effective in encouraging more women and girls to get involved in Muay Thai?
I don’t really have a strategy for this, but we have to show women that Muay Thai is not a sport only for men! We must not be afraid or ashamed! They have to see that women are capable of it! So they can too!
Finally, how do you see the future of Muay Thai evolving, and what role do you hope to play in it?
I hope that Muay Thai will receive the recognition it deserves and become as famous as English boxing or MMA. I would like to be one of the people who help make Muay Thai known to the general public by participating in major world competitions. Why not?
