\n<\/p>\n
While the pair also admired the way each other competed, little did Khadijah know that her future husband was already a fan.<\/p>\n
\u201cI always viewed her as an \u2018idol\u2019 when I watched her on TV, YouTube or TikTok,\u201d said Helmi, who has won various medals at the Asian level. \u201cAnd I liked her gameplay.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI enjoy watching him fight and that drew my attention,\u201d said Khadijah. \u201c(I liked) the charisma he carries. I don\u2019t usually enjoy watching other people fight \u2026 but he was lovely to watch.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Khadijah and Helmi are no strangers to the taste of victory, it was the disappointment of defeat that brought them closer.<\/p>\n
After a 2024 competition where both fighters were eliminated early, they ran into each other in Kuala Lumpur and spent half a day together.<\/p>\n
“(With him) I surprisingly found comfort that I never felt for very long. It’s hard for me to open up, but it was easy for me to open up to him,” she said.<\/p>\n
But as the relationship blossomed, there was the concern of a conflict of interest, given that the pair represent different countries.<\/p>\n
While they kept things under wraps at first, Khadijah sought the advice of her head coach Rafili Ramli.<\/p>\n
“He gave me 100 per cent support but he also reminded me that … at competition, you have to be professional,” recalled Khadijah.<\/p>\n
Others in the community were also very supportive, said Helmi. This includes Helmi’s coach Siti Rahmah, who was previously an opponent of Khadijah’s.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n