21-03-26 - Another name has been etched into the USKA Kickboxing Black Belt roll of honour!

Some journeys are louder than others… but the most powerful ones are often the quietest!

Today at the USKA Fight Factory, we witnessed something truly special.

Another name earned its place in the USKA Kickboxing roll of honour, not through shortcuts or moments of brilliance alone, but through years of perseverance, resilience and quiet determination.

Our candidate was 17-year-old Maryam Sarfraz.

Maryam first walked through the doors of USKA as a 9 year-old girl. Like many, she started with curiosity, nerves and a willingness to try but what followed over the next 8 years was a journey that would test her in ways no one could have predicted.

There were challenges. There were setbacks. There were moments where things didn’t go to plan.

She trained through lock-downs, adapted training sessions on Zoom, and climbed into rings and onto competition mats carrying nerves and anxiety that would have stopped many in their tracks. There were days where she came up short on her goals but she never quit. She kept showing up! She kept pushing forward! She kept believing!

And that is what makes this moment so special because an USKA Black Belt is not given. it is earned.

In the days leading up to her grading, Maryam was pushed to demonstrate not just her ability as a fighter, but her understanding of martial arts as a whole. She reflected on her journey through a detailed portfolio, led from the front by delivering her own warm-up, and stepped into the role of a coach by teaching a beginners class.

Then came the test that defines many… the USKA Shark Tank!

Ten minutes... Fresh opponents every minute... Multiple disciplines (Kickboxing, Boxing, Low Kick, K-1) with no warning of what was coming next.

Physically exhausting... Mentally draining... Emotionally demanding... And yet, she stood her ground!

On grading day, after 5 1/2 hours under the watchful eye of Chief Instructor Neil Kelly, Maryam gave everything she had, and more.

And in that moment… she earned it... Her USKA 1st Dan Black Belt, passing with an outstanding mark of 85 / B.

This is only the 10th Black Belt awarded in nearly 30 years at USKA, and just the 7th under the current syllabus, a testament to the standard, and to the significance of what she has achieved.

But beyond the achievement itself, it is who Maryam is that makes this so meaningful.

She is not the loudest in the room... She does not seek the spotlight... She works quietly, respectfully, consistently... But inside… she carries the heart of a lion! A true martial artist in every sense!

Maryam now adds this milestone to an already impressive journey that includes World Titles and Coaching achievements, but perhaps her greatest achievement is the person she has become along the way.

We are incredibly proud to welcome her into one of the UK’s most exclusive Black Belt circles.

Maryam… this was never given. You earned every second of it and look forward to you writing your next next chapter.

We salute you! ... Osu!