WHEN looking at the history books and searching for a pioneer in Malaysia’s women’s mixed martial arts industry, a familiar name is guaranteed to appear.
It is Sabah’s very own Ann “Athena” Osman.
She announced her retirement from the sport in November 2017, but she has continued to inspire thousands of Malaysians through her current role in ONE Championship’s athlete relations department and as a Global Citizen ambassador.
“There’s a reason why I do what I do,” the emotional 32-year-old says.
READ: A treasure from Sabah: The story of Malaysia's first pro female MMA fighter, Ann Osman
“I’m passionate about it, and if whatever I’ve done throughout my career in the cage has inspired many people, I believe I can do the same outside the cage.
“I try to inspire and aide people around me whenever I can. Whenever you give, you get back.
“The world needs more people who can churn out positivity. Just like how Malaysians inspired me every time I walked down that ONE Championship stage, now it’s my turn to give back.”
In January 2018, ONE Championship announced its partnership with Global Citizen.
Global Citizen is an international advocacy organization with the goal of ending extreme poverty across the world by 2030.
A few other Global Citizen ambassadors at ONE Championship are Agilan “Alligator” Thani, “Unstoppable” Angela Lee, Brandon “The Truth” Vera, and Aung La “The Burmese Python” N Sang.
Osman feels honored to be part of this effort and help alongside other Asian mixed martial arts heroes.
“I’ve learned over the years that it does not cost to help someone. I went through a journey, and it wasn’t achieved easily,” she says.
“Life was not easy, and I went through the whole grind. To be given opportunities like these, alongside world-class athletes, is really a reward to me.”
The Malaysian women’s mixed martial arts pioneer also shared some of the most touching stories from her work with Global Citizen.
“We went to this foundation in Kuala Lumpur, and I was teaching some basic self-defense classes when a little kid came up to me and asked me what do I do in this particular position,” Ann recalls.
“She demonstrated to me the kind of vulnerable moments in her life, and it did tear me up a bit. To see them smile despite leading a tough life is something money cannot buy.”
ONE Championship
Wed Jan 09 2019

Ann Osman (left) warming up the hearts of the children of Sekolah Bimbingan Jalinan Kasih (SBJK) in Kuala Lumpur. - Filepic/ONE Championship

Pelantikan Isham Jalil, nilai tambah kepada pucuk pimpinan UMNO Selangor - Noh
Pelantikan Isham Jalil sebagai Ahli Majlis Tertinggi (MT) UMNO dilihat sebagai nilai tambah kepada pucuk pimpinan UMNO Selangor, kata Pengerusi Perhubungannya Tan Sri Noh Omar.
![AWANI 7:45 [26/06/2022] - Bilangan penganggur kekal menurun | WARISAN sedia bekerjasama | Lembu korban terlepas AWANI 7:45 [26/06/2022] - Bilangan penganggur kekal menurun | WARISAN sedia bekerjasama | Lembu korban terlepas](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://dzu2r3t0ymp2a.cloudfront.net/757/1975447/thumbnails/23050902151656253267395_640x360.jpg)
AWANI 7:45 [26/06/2022] - Bilangan penganggur kekal menurun | WARISAN sedia bekerjasama | Lembu korban terlepas
Laporan berita padat dan ringkas #AWANI745 bersama Essan Yahya; 1. Pengangguran catat penurunan ketara, tapi kadar muflis belia membimbangkan 2. Berapa harga siling baharu ayam? KPDNHEP jamin tidak cecah RM15 sekilo 3. World Urban Forum buka tirai, cari penyelesaian empat krisis terbesar dunia #AWANInews #MalaysiaBangkit

AWANI Ringkas: Harga siling baharu tidak akan cecah RM15
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.

Didakwa pakai pakaian jenama mahal, Fahmi tunjuk koleksi 2 helai pakaian
Fahmi menunjukkan beberapa utas jam tangan jenama Casio dan sehelai kemeja serta seluar jenama Uniqlo.

Pihak berkuasa agama negeri perlu panggil pasangan DJ popular
Pihak berkuasa agama negeri perlu memandang serius tindakan sesetengah individu yang melakukan perbuatan yang 'dilihat' bertentangan dengan ajaran Islam terutama di media sosial.

Kanak-kanak lemas terjatuh dalam tali air ketika memancing
Seorang kanak-kanak lelaki berusia 11 tahun lemas selepas terjatuh ke dalam tali air ketika memancing bersama dua rakannya, berhampiran Balai Raya Chengal Lempong, Balok di sini, hari ini.

Ibu maut, dua anak cedera kereta bertembung
Seorang wanita maut manakala empat lagi termasuk dua anaknya cedera dalam kemalangan membabitkan dua kenderaan di Jalan Segamat-Kuantan hari ini.

PM buat tinjauan mengejut harga barang
Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob hari ini melakukan tinjauan mengejut buat pertama kali berkaitan situasi harga barangan di sebuah pasar raya di ibu negara.

Elak ditangkap khalwat, duda maut jatuh tingkat empat pangsapuri
Tindakan seorang lelaki cuba melarikan diri selepas perbuatan berdua-duaan dengan isteri orang terbongkar, membawa padah apabila maut terjatuh dari tingkat empat sebuah pangsapuri di sini, hari ini.
![[KOLUMNIS] Inisiatif microcredental HRD Corp dan salah faham [KOLUMNIS] Inisiatif microcredental HRD Corp dan salah faham](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-06/51656223348_TBHRDCorp.jpg)
[KOLUMNIS] Inisiatif microcredental HRD Corp dan salah faham
Kononnya berlaku salah faham dalam kalangan pemegang taruh berkaitan terutamanya pihak majikan terhadap perlaksanaan program tersebut yang telah ditetapkan bermula 15 Ogos nanti.

Ebit Lew terharu dianugerah Duta Muhibbah Palestin
Ebit berkata, semasa pertemuannya dengan wakil kerajaan Palestin, mereka turut berbincang mengenai program-program di Palestin pada masa akan datang.

'Inikah sikap Duta Keamanan?' - Priyanka Chopra dikecam gara-gara promosi perang
Netizen menganggap tindakannya itu bercanggah sama sekali dengan tanggungjawabnya untuk menyebarkan mesej keamanan