Once facing uncertain future in Canada, this kickboxer just won a championship for N.L.

An Egyptian-born kickboxerliving in Newfoundland who once faced an uncertain future in Canada has had a turn of fortunes, both inside and outside the ring.

Two years ago, Hady Ghoneim,made a last-ditch effort to stay in the countryafter violating a rule of his study permit. The odds weren't in his favour, but Ghoneimwho describes himself as "half Egyptian, half salt beef" was desperate to stay.

Ghoneim, now 28, spoke with CBC News about the plight and his hope for the future, which spurred support from the community and both levels of government.

After a lengthy wait,Ghoneim receivedconfirmation of his permanent residency in February.

"I'm very grateful and happy. Now I have my MCP, I can go to a hospital. I can compete without having that anxiety," Ghoneim said in a recent interview, referring to Newfoundland and Labrador's medical care plan.

"All this has been lifted off my shoulders, I can go visit my family."

It also paved the way for him to compete at theWorld Association of Kickboxing Organizations' Canadian national championship last weekend in Niagara Falls, Ont., where he took home the national title in his weight class and was named WAKO athlete of the year.

WATCH | Kickboxer prepares for fight years in the making:

Kickboxer who says he's part salt beef, part Egyptian describes his fight inside and outside the ring

5 months ago

Duration 5:43

Two years ago, Hady Ghoniem's future in Canada looked uncertain. Today, he is a permanent resident, paving his way to the WAKO national championships. The CBCs Ariana Kelland caught up with Ghoniem as he talked about representing this beautiful province in his sport.

"It's an honour to be able to give back to this beautiful place, this beautiful island, and to giveback to my coach and my teammates for all the hard work together," said Ghoneimwho brought Egyptian and Newfoundland and Labradorflags to the competition.

"Fighting is a very, very lonely sport, and it's an individual sport when you're inside the ring. But to get to that point, it's all team sport."

Officially home

Ghoneim arrived in St. John's on a sunny and warm May day in 2017, and was immediately struck by the rugged beauty of the place and the people who inhabit it.

He attended Memorial University for a year and a half, but after he and his family in Egypt fell on tough financial times,Ghoneimsaid, he abandoned his studies.

He later returned to school, but it was too late.

By leaving school for any amount of time not including scheduled school breaks he violated a rule of his study permit that requires permit holders to remain in university.

Through his lawyer,Ghoneim applied for hispermanent residency witha humanitarian and compassionate grounds application a potential long shot, but one that paid off.

Ghoneimis now returning to Egypt to visit his family for the first time in seven years, something he couldn't do until he received his permanent residency.

Coach Robbie Wiseman, who also took home a national title in his weight division, saidGhoneim's approach to his fight to become a Canadian mirrors his moves in the ring.

"There's no givingup with Hady. You have to persevere and and keep chipping away, chipping away, and that's the way he fights as well," saidWiseman, of Rock Athletics in Mount Pearl.

"There's no backing up, and when he goes forward he just keeps going until until he finds what he's looking for."

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