Ajay Joshi’s life has taken an unexpected path—from holding a camera as a photojournalist to earning medals in combat sports on the global stage. Raised in Lagankhel, Lalitpur, Joshi grew up in a typical middle-class family. He was the oldest of three siblings. Life took a hard turn when his mother passed away due to diabetes nearly 30 years ago. His father kept the family afloat by running a small business.
Now a husband and father to a 10-year-old son, Joshi lives a life far different from what he once imagined. His story in the world of combat sports started not in a boxing ring, but behind the lens of a camera.
Back in 2007, Joshi worked as a photojournalist. He covered major political events for local publications. His assignments were tough, with long working hours and heavy camera gear to carry. It slowly took a toll on his health. “I was overweight,” he said. “I began boxing because I needed to lose weight. I was 25.”
His first step into the sport wasn’t because of childhood dreams. It was simply about improving his health. At 25, while many athletes are at their peak, Joshi was just starting. He trained under Prakash Thapa Magar, a South Asian Games gold medalist. Soon, he was competing. In the same year, he won a silver medal at the National Boxing Championship.
Joshi didn’t stop at boxing. He explored more forms of martial arts. Over time, he trained in Muay Thai, SAMBO, and Jiu-Jitsu. “Boxing has always been my base,” he said. But each style taught him something new. He learned strength, control, and discipline. In 2012, he won gold in the National SAMBO Championship. That same year, he claimed another gold at the MMA Championship held at Rage Fitness. In 2015, he won gold in Muay Thai at the First Srinath National Championship.
His biggest achievement came much later. Joshi entered the world of Jiu-Jitsu only nine months before he would win the World Amateur Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Abu Dhabi in November 2024. It wasn’t something he had planned. “A teammate from Nepal said, ‘Let’s try it together,’” he recalled. Joshi agreed. He trained hard and entered the championship. His efforts paid off. He made history as the first Nepali to win a gold medal at the event.
Today, Joshi works full-time as a senior trainer at Ragefitness gym. His routine is intense. His mornings start at 6 a.m. with Jiu-Jitsu training. From 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., he teaches private boxing sessions. He spends the afternoon with his family and returns to the gym from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. “This is my full-time job now,” he said. “Journalism stopped a long time ago.”
For Joshi, combat sports are more than just fights or medals. They’ve shaped who he is. “Sports teach you respect,” he said. “You respect your trainers. You control your anger. You learn from loss. It humbles you.”
He is open about his losses. “I’ve lost many games,” he said. “It feels bad. But it teaches you how to grow.” Joshi believes that losing is part of the journey. His focus is on learning and improving. Success, for him, is not about medals but about progress. If he finds a weakness, he works on it and returns stronger.
Joshi’s story is about finding purpose in an unexpected place. From capturing moments through a lens to standing in a ring, he found strength, health, and meaning. His path shows that it’s never too late to start, never too late to grow, and never too late to win.
