'You have to be a bit of a superman and just do it' - Boxing champ lifts lid on what it's like to train during Ramadan

An elite boxer has spoken about what it is like to train while fasting for Ramadan. Like many Muslims across the world, European super-lightweight champion, Adam Azim, will be observing the holy month.

Ramadan began on Monday (March 11) and will last for 30 days. During the month, worshippers must refrain from eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset while carrying on with their daily tasks like going to school or work.

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One of the five pillars of Islam, Ramadan is a very important time of the year for Muslims and promises many spiritual rewards. However, depending on where you are in the world, observants can fast for up to 12 to 17 hours.

This can be very gruelling on the body especially for athletes who still have to train and partake in their demanding fields. 21-year-old Adam Azim, who took his professional boxing record to 11-0 with victory against Enock Poulson at Wembley Arena last month, said running is the worst thing for him during Ramadan.

“I’m alternating my training this year”, Adam said. “The gym opens quite early, so I’m there around 5am, which is a great time to train during the fasting period, the morning is when I have the most fuel – I still train when I have no fuel though, you have to get it done!

“I don’t really spar during Ramadan; I still do work on pads but running is the worst thing for me. You feel it the most because you have no energy or water. We are trying to change up my regime and I do some body sparring with my friends, there will be around eight or 10 of us and it’s like a game – we fight each other and see who wins… I always win.

“A training day is definitely different during Ramadan.