USKA to host Rami Ibrahim's 186th professional Muay Thai Fight - Photo by William McKee
Longest active U.S. Muay Thai competitor, Rami Ibrahim, to be inducted into NJ Martial Arts Hall of Fame
The New Jersey Martial Arts Hall of Fame has announced their sixth class of inductees to the New Jersey Martial Arts Hall of Fame. The 2017 class will be honored at the Induction dinner gala to be held at the Carnegie Room at iPlay America in Freehold, N.J., Dec. 1.
Rami Ibrahim, the longest active U.S. Muay Thai competitor, will be inducted into the 2017 class less than two months after he competes in his 186 professional fight.
Ibrahim took to social media to announce his induction.:
“THE FRUITS OF MY LABOR… I’ve been awarded by the state of New Jersey into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame as a Muay Thai fighter and as a trainer. To make this award even more historical, I am the first person to ever be awarded in the Hall of Fame in both, as a fighter AND trainer. I can’t begin to tell you how this feels. I am at the happiest, most humble, and grateful state of mind. Thank you to those who voted for me to be inducted. Christian Tran, I can’t thank you enough man, may God double your reward! I hope to see all those close to me at this event on December 1 in New Jersey to celebrate this historical award ceremony with me. As far as I’m concerned, this award isn’t for me, it’s for all of us, everyone I ever stood up for and fought for, from Philly to Palestine.”
According to a press release from the New Jersey Hall of Fame board, “Our goal is to honor those involved with New Jersey martial arts and to celebrate with them, at an evening with family and friends. Our focus is on those directly involved in New Jersey martial arts.”
UFC women’s bantamweight fighter Kaitlyn Chookagian will be inducted into the Hall under the category of Female Fighter, while her male counterpart at bantamweight, Jimmie Rivera will also be inducted.
Grappling sensation Garry Tonon will enter the hall. Tonon is one of the most beloved and famed jiu-jitsu practitioners the Garden State has ever known.
2017 NJ Martial Arts Hall of Fame inductees include:
MMA Fighter – Jimmie Rivera
Grappler – Garry Tonon
Coach – Karel Pravec
Trainer – Paul Carnicella
Female fighter – Kaitlyn Chookagian
Fighter / Referee – Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro
Fighter / Trainer – Jamal Patterson
Wrestling – Mike Malinconico
Boxing – Jackie Atkins
Trainer – Ronnie Schulmann
Lifetime Achievement Award – Billy Scott
Promoter – Kurt Otto
Announcer – Nino Del Buono
Boxer – Virgil Hill
Ringside physician – Dr. Eric Wurmser
NJSACB Official – Henry Krawiec
Promoter – Kipp Kollar
Physician – Dr. Robert Haley
Media – Mike Straka
Muay Thai Fighter / Trainer – Rami Ibrahim
Biographies and photographs for all inductees can be viewed at njmmaawards.com
