JU student wins gold at Muay Thai World Championship

Failed exams, early mornings and up to six hours of training every day. Despite balancing life as a Business Administration student, part-time social educator and elite athlete, Sayed Rohullah Mosawi has achieved his biggest goal yet. Earlier this month, he won gold at the Muay Thai World Championships after ten years of dedication and hard work.

When Sayed Rohullah Mosawi won a silver medal at the World Championships in 2023, gold was still a dream. Three years later, he has achieved what he had been working towards for more than a decade.

"It feels very special. Looking back and realizing that I’ve actually achieved it is an incredible feeling. But the biggest difference between silver and gold is not the medal itself. It’s everything that happened in between: the training, the setbacks, the sacrifices and all the moments when I had to keep believing in myself."

The World Championship title is the result of years of hard work. After winning World Championship bronze in 2022 and silver in 2023, an injury-filled year limited his opportunities to compete. In 2025, he claimed Asian Championship gold before finally achieving his goal in 2026.

In addition to his World Championship victory, Sayed Rohullah Mosawi was also named Best Combat Athlete of the Year.

Balancing elite sport, studies and work

Sayed is in the final year of the Business Administration programme at Jönköping International Business School (JIBS) and serves as a student ambassador for Jönköping University.

Balancing elite sport, university studies and work has not always been easy. At one point, the workload became so overwhelming that he failed several exams and even forgot to register for one of them.

Despite this, he has now successfully completed exams, an internship, work commitments and training camps, something he considers one of his greatest achievements.

Choosing Jönköping University was about finding an education that could be combined with his elite sports ambitions. The international environment and student life were also important factors.

"Jönköping has become much more than just the place where I study. It’s a place where I’ve grown as a person, an athlete and a student."

He says his time at JU has helped him develop an identity beyond sport and encouraged him to think about life after his athletic career.

"I didn't win gold alone"

When the final bell rang and the World Championship title was secured, his thoughts immediately turned to his parents and siblings.

"Hearing their voices after the final was incredibly emotional. There were tears, laughter and so many congratulations that it was difficult to hear what anyone was saying. Winning the gold medal was my achievement, but I never reached it alone."

New goals now lie ahead. He wants to defend his title and continue competing at the highest international level while completing his studies and building a professional career beyond the ring.

For students who doubt whether their goals are within reach, he has a clear message:

"Believe in yourself, even when your goal feels far away or impossible. You don’t have to achieve everything at once. You just need the courage to take the next step. The small steps you take today are building the future you dream about."