Burlington has a long and notable sports history that includes many outstanding athletes, coaches, officials, media, and volunteers. The Burlington Sports Hall of Fame (BSHOF) is dedicated to identifying and honouring these individuals who have created this rich tradition. This year, BSHOF is celebrating its 18th anniversary and is proud to be inducting six new honourees at its 2026 induction ceremony on Tuesday, May 26, at the Burlington Golf and Country Club.
Our next inductee is Muzammal Nawaz.
Over his lengthy career, Muzammal Nawaz combined elite-level kickboxing competition with full-time advanced academic study and the operation of a high-performance facility in Burlington. He captured the North American Championship in the U.S., the Intercontinental Championship in South Africa, and the Pan-American Championship in Brazil. Nawaz reached the pinnacle in the sport as a five-time world kickboxing champion. Four of his five world titles were won internationally, often against opponents with significantly greater professional experience.
While completing his undergraduate studies at McMaster University, Muzammal represented Canada
internationally, competing in 34 countries and earning eight medals at world amateur kickboxing championships, establishing himself among the world’s elite amateur athletes. He later transitioned to the professional ranks while pursuing graduate studies at the University of Toronto, all while remaining a proud Burlington resident. He is currently pursuing a PhD in sport psychology at Laurentian University.
Muzammal competed at the highest levels in his sport, yet was passionate about growing it, especially in his hometown of Burlington. In 2008, he founded the Bay Area Athletic Club (BAAC), a Burlington-based boxing/kickboxing club, which has served as a hub for athletic excellence and youth mentorship. In 2009 and 2010, BAAC showed Burlington and the world that his hometown could host an international kickboxing championship.
BAAC has evolved into a high-performance training centre, recognized nationally and internationally, while remaining, at its core, a community-based program, developing the future of the sport. Under Muzammal’s leadership, BAAC has produced athletes who have competed at the highest levels, including UFC competitors, world-ranked professional boxers, and members of both the national boxing and national kickboxing teams.
At the heart of Muzammal’s work is a deep and enduring commitment to youth development and civic engagement. Early in his career, he designed and led an international youth leadership program for the International Red Cross, delivering it across North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. He continues this legacy today by implementing that same leadership framework with the teen members at BAAC.
Growing the sport at the local and international levels for years, Muzammal also showed remarkable longevity and determination as an athlete. Having captured his first four world titles overseas, Muzammal fulfilled a lifelong dream when he won his fifth professional world kickboxing championship in Burlington. He defended this final world championship title at the age of 44 — an age at which most professional fighters have long since retired.
Beyond competition, Muzammal’s influence on combative sport in Canada has been transformative. He
founded Canada’s first government-recognized kickboxing association, establishing a national framework that significantly elevated standards, credibility, and access within the sport. Under his leadership, provincial and territorial sport organizations were developed and formally recognized, culminating in the creation of a national sport organization that continues to serve as a platform for excellence. He also championed gender equity by introducing policies and programs that dramatically increased the participation of women in combative sports. These efforts produced measurable and transformative results: female participation in competitive events reached 47%, the number of women officials tripled, and gender parity was achieved across provincial and national governance bodies. In a sport traditionally dominated by men, his sincere and strategic leadership has driven lasting positive change.
His standing in the sport at the national and world levels brought with it leadership opportunities. In 2018, Muzammal was appointed president of the national federation for amateur kickboxing and in 2024, he was selected to the Combative Sport Advisory Council. ln 2O22, he collaborated closely with First Nations communities to elevate and recognize Indigenous contributions to combative sport in Canada. This partnership culminated in the declaration of the competitive season as the “Year of Truth and Reconciliation,” believed to be the first such initiative by a national sport organization.
Muzammal has been the president of the national federation for the sport of amateur kickboxing for the past eight years. During his tenure, he has been guided by a deep belief in the power of sport to unite Canadians through mutual respect and shared purpose. His leadership has fostered inclusive environments where diverse communities are welcomed, recognized, and empowered to participate fully in society.
His leadership has permanently reshaped the sport’s landscape. In recognition of his expertise and integrity, in December 2025, Muzammal Nawaz was appointed to the Order of Canada, one of the nation’s highest civilian honours, in recognition of his exceptional athletic achievements and his lifelong service to Canada through sport leadership, institution-building, and community development. This national distinction underscores the extraordinary scope, integrity, and impact of his contributions to sport.
It is with great honour that the Burlington Sports Hall of Fame inducts Muzammal Nawaz in the Athlete/Builder category.
This year’s induction reception will be held on Tuesday, May 26, at the Burlington Golf and Country Club with Steve Foxcroft as emcee. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with socializing from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and formal inductions from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres will be served throughout the evening, and there is a cash bar. Tickets for this event sold out earlier this week, but stay tuned for a profile on the Oldershaw family on Burlington Local-News.ca.
