While the pair also admired the way each other competed, little did Khadijah know that her future husband was already a fan.
“I always viewed her as an ‘idol’ when I watched her on TV, YouTube or TikTok,” said Helmi, who has won various medals at the Asian level. “And I liked her gameplay.”
“I enjoy watching him fight and that drew my attention,” said Khadijah. “(I liked) the charisma he carries. I don’t usually enjoy watching other people fight … but he was lovely to watch.”
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While Khadijah and Helmi are no strangers to the taste of victory, it was the disappointment of defeat that brought them closer.
After a 2024 competition where both fighters were eliminated early, they ran into each other in Kuala Lumpur and spent half a day together.
“(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.
But as the relationship blossomed, there was the concern of a conflict of interest, given that the pair represent different countries.
While they kept things under wraps at first, Khadijah sought the advice of her head coach Rafili Ramli.
“He gave me 100 per cent support but he also reminded me that … at competition, you have to be professional,” recalled Khadijah.
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.