Today, as we have done since 3.00am of the 21st August, we come together to honor the memory of Simon Leafa (aka Sy) a true warrior. A young soul who, from the very beginning, faced and overcame challenges that most of us can barely imagine. With an unyielding fire burning within him, he chased his dreams in the martial arts with relentless determination, becoming a beacon of hope and inspiration for so many. He fought every battle with fierce resolve, never allowing his spirit to waver, even when his body could no longer endure the fight. At the age of 28, Sy took his last breath in Melbourne after an almost 5 year battle, his longest fight to survive the negligence of others to whom he had placed his trust and in the end, his life.
Sy’s heart was captured by martial arts and he also captured UTS. He didn’t just practice; he lived and embraced the ancient values of respect and honor. He saved every hard-earned penny to journey to Thailand on a scholarship, immersing himself in the traditions of this honoured martial art, Muaythai. He wasn’t content with just being a fighter; he aspired to embody the true spirit of a warrior, living by principles passed down through generations for thousands of years.
Sy was a man full of life and joy. His smile, so bright and handsome, was contagious. He had an insatiable hunger for life, for knowledge, and for every new experience that came his way. But then, on one fateful day, everything changed.
He was asked to compete in a Muaythai match against an opponent with thirty times more experience. Sy stepped into that ring as a warrior, unaware of the betrayal that awaited him. He fought with all his heart, but the blows he received that day were too much to bear. After the bout, whilst a belt was strapped around his opponent’s waist, Sy collapsed by the side of the ring, his dreams and his future shattered.
He was rushed to the hospital, where doctors discovered a severe brain hemorrhage. The damage was catastrophic, leaving him paraplegic. Despite numerous operations over the next few years, Sy found himself confined to the back of a hospital ward, fighting for his life every single day.
During the covid pandemic, whilst we had families to hold and friends to keep us comforted. Sy had no one. UTS and IFMA stepped up and became Sy’s family and friends away from home. Reaching out to his loved ones we ensured Sy did not feel lonely, but that he felt loved, supported and cared for.
UTS was shocked to discover the people responsible for this mismatch, those who should have protected him, made a small payment to the hospital soon after Sy’s admission, took a photo with the doctor and then moved on, continuing to hand out belts and promote new shows.
Sy’s incredible friends from Australia rallied together, trying to provide the support he so desperately needed, but the medical bills kept piling up, and life-saving operations had to continue. There was no insurance, no money to fly him back home for the urgent treatment he required and the loving arms of his loved ones.
This is the darker side of sport and in this case, Muaythai. We have worked with IFMA for many years now and know first-hand they have always stood against unethical and unjust actions towards athletes. Although the responsibility of Sy had no relation to IFMA, they stepped in as the sole recognised international Olympic organisation for Muaythai and did what was right. They showed that they truly cared.
The IFMA and UTS team spent every possible day with Sy, washing him, changing his diapers, brushing his teeth, singing and dancing for him, watching movies, setting up calls with his loved ones in Australia. During the pandemic, these acts of empathy and kindness were all he had.
After 2.5 years in that lonely hospital ward, with the help of his closest friends, enough money was finally raised to bring Sy home to his family and friends. On July 18th 2022, with the support of an onboard doctor and nurses, Sy made it home.
Although we were told there was little hope for improvement, we hoped that being surrounded by love would bring Sy comfort in his battle to survive. Up until his death he was next to his loved ones and had their love surrounding him.
IFMA has vowed to bring to light the atrocities that led to Sy’s suffering. Atrocities that UTS and other entities have also witnessed. IFMA has and is facing bullying and threats, but they are a united and outstanding organisation who will never stop fighting for the athletes of the world. UTS stands for protection of human rights and safeguarding of the youth. So we stand firmly with IFMA and will do all we can in solidarity for Sy.
Simon Leafa (Sy), we honour you today. We send our deepest love to your family, to your friends in Australia, New Zealand and Samoa. We send our respect to our team, who became family to you during these last years. Birthdays, Christmases, and New Year’s were spent by your side, ensuring you never felt alone. We thank the hospital staff who cared for you and hope with all our hearts that you are now free and wearing your beautiful smile.
But most of all, Sy, we promise that you will never be forgotten. You will be remembered as the true warrior and the incredible human being that you are. We will continue to seek justice with IFMA for the suffering you endured, and we will do our best to ensure that no one else will ever have to go through what you did.
Rest in peace, our dear warrior, inspiration and friend.
