PART 5 Note: This is a work of fiction based on the author's experiences training muay thai in Thailand. FEBRUARY "You don't care enough," Gong continues. "All you want to do during training is play cartwheel kicks with Glai. You train Muay Thai but you're the worst one at the gym!" "Okay Gong, maybe I'm the worst at our gym, but do you really think I couldn't win against someone in Phuket?" "Cut! Cut! Cut! Face!" he says in English, and slashes at the air with his elbows. He points to his brow and continues in Thai, "You want scars here, like what I have? I'm worried you'll get your face messed up. I don't want an ugly … [Read more...]
MUAY THAI
Muay Thai training information, fight videos and fighter interviews with an emphasis on traditional Muay Thai. Read about Muay Thai in Thailand with a focus on Isaan and Bangkok. This is the real deal. Not kickboxing with elbows and knees. Don't know the difference? Read on.
How The Coup Affected Us— A Little Muay Thai Gym In Buriram, Thailand
I had been watching Senrak cut weight for 4 days now. It was painful. He didn’t have that much weight to cut it was more so the way in which he was doing it; run, sweat suit, repeat. The weather at this particular time was also quite vehement; not such much the heat but the humidity that left you feeling sticky tired all day long. After training he would then replenish his body with steamed fish, som tam, and Big Boy syrup— the red stuff. At this time Martial Law had already been declared in Thailand. Today was Thursday the 22nd; Senrak and Mr. Dit were to head off to Bangkok on Friday to make it in time for the Saturday morning weigh in a 6AM. Then it happened when … [Read more...]
The Perils Of Dating Your Trainer: Don’t Fight Please
PART 4 Note: This is a work of fiction based on the author's experiences training muay thai in Thailand. FEBRUARY It's Saturday night, just a week before my planned trip to Phuket. Gong, my nak muay boyfriend of the last six months, is at the wheel of his beloved Toyota Vios and I'm gazing out the window at the passing lights of Bangkok. We're cruising down the main drag on the way home from the local supermarket, groceries in the trunk. Gong calls it a "date." I call it "running errands." I still haven't told him I emailed a gym in Phuket about fighting. Now's a convenient time to tell him the good news. I interrupt his quiet singing … [Read more...]
A Typical Day in Issan
I woke up this morning very excited; one because I didn’t have to go to work, and two because Mr. Dit was taking me to interview Rotduan Sit. Seeanbreeak who is a professional Muay Thai fighter that identifies as a ladyboy. I first saw them fight in March of this year, Rotduan Sit. Seeanbreeak was scheduled to fight one of our fighters Taepbundit but Taepbundit had to pull out simply because he was fighting too often and was replaced by our golden boy Senrak who is currently fighting in the Thai Insurance Tournament at Lumpini. Immediately the ring announcer began to take jabs at Rotduan but their corner, simply put, told him to shut up. I was very impressed by this because the … [Read more...]
The Perils Of Dating Your Trainer: Entering A Romantic Relationship
PART 3 Note: This is a work of fiction based on the author's experiences training muay thai in Thailand. SEPTEMBER It's been exactly two weeks since Gong and I kissed in his room. Much to my utter relief, he has continued to train me well as before. In fact, he's been so normal and non-flirtatious with me the last two weeks that I'm starting to think what happened between us was a one-time mix-up. Tonight, Gong is over in my room studying English and Thai, as has been our Sunday evening custom the last couple months. We keep the door open and Camp Grandma walks by, smiling at the sight of us sitting on the floor with our … [Read more...]
Annihilation Of The Self In Muay Thai
One of my favourite films is Kill Bill, because secretly I am a sixteen year old boy. I love almost every part of the films, even though I know almost every part is stolen. Creativity is hiding your sources, said no one ever except me. But one thing that strikes me about that movie/those movies is that what makes the character of the bride so powerful, and so resonant, is her single-minded drive to complete her tasks, no matter how much pain, despair and anguish she experiences. And this natural bent is cultivated by Pai Mei, who punishes her ceaselessly, in order to build in her an indefatigable, indestructible spirit. She submits to a master and an art … [Read more...]
The Perils Of Dating Your Trainer: Romance or Rejection
PART 2 Note: This is a work of fiction based on the author's experiences training muay thai in Thailand. August 2013 I mention to Gong the prospect of taking my first fight. He laughs at me, seems surprised I want to fight, and says he doesn't think I'm ready yet. "Maybe three months, Linsee. Maybe. If you train really hard." A few days later, something in me snaps during training. I'm paired up in sparring with a lanky 15-year-old named Boom. Normally I enjoy sparring with him but today I'm being pushed to my limits emotionally. Every strike he levels at me feels like he's trying to knock me out. Boom is one of my favorite Thai boys at … [Read more...]
The Perils Of Dating Your Trainer: Training Fulltime In Bangkok
The Perils Of Dating Your Trainer is a fictional series by Lindsey Newhall, based on her experiences training muay thai in Thailand. PART 1 JUNE Another afternoon session training Muay Thai in Bangkok. I've been here four months now. The sun is shining brighter than usual and everything is glowing. During the water break in between pad rounds, I dip the metal cup in the communal cooler and revel in the relief of ice water. My trainer Gong calls me over for another round on pads. I hurry back to him and put my guard up. I'm falling in love with him. But it's not what you're thinking, not a romantic love. He doesn't speak English and I … [Read more...]
From The Farms Of Isaan To The Stadiums Of Bangkok: The Cycle of Muay Thai Fighters In Thailand
“We build them, you break them. Then they come home…” Meet CIA. Notable opponents: Saiyok Sit. Samprayak, Gungwan Lek Petchindee, Duanbley Sit. O Ubon Where he has fought: Lumpini, Rajadamnern, Assawindam [Channel 9], Channel 7, Japan Biggest purse: 2,000 USD He showed up at our gym about a month ago; Mr. Dit had arranged for him to fight Channel 9 fighter Saiyok in the main event of his promotion. With just a little over a week of training, he finished the fight victoriously in a third round TKO of the veteran. From there he was scheduled to fight two more times, a total of three fights in one … [Read more...]
Sawsing Sor Sopit vs. Farida Okiko – Results From Santai Festival 2014
Santai Muay Thai Gym (San Kampphaeng, Chiang Mai, Thailand) held what I would like to see as the beginning of a pattern of Muay Thai fights to come. Santai Festival's February 15 main event was a female fight between Sawsing Sor Sopit and Farida Okiko with a purse equaling 55,000 THB (at time of writing, approximately $1,560.00 USD). This is remarkable in Thailand as female Muay Thai fighters are awarded significantly less prize money than males. Santai owner Nik Hjalmarsson on the event: The idea of making the form like this was the fact that it is very hard for females to make money from fighting; we wanted to whip it up a bit and make it interesting. In … [Read more...]
Open Call For Female Fighters, 55 kg To Fight In Thailand In February 2014
Santai Muay Thai Gym, located in San Kamphaeng, Thailand (approximately 18 km from the city of Chiang Mai) is holding an eight bout Muay Thai promotion with the main event showcasing female fighters at 55 kg (121 lbs). The purse is 55,000 THB (at time of writing, approximately $1,560.00 USD). This is a significant purse for female fighters in Thailand. Interested fighters can contact Nik Hjalmarsson (Santai Muay Thai Gym). Include your record, a photo, any titles you have and anything else that may put you in the running. For example, if you lack a title but have wins over some tough opponents, let Nik know. Do you have a great video that shows your skills? Send the … [Read more...]
Muay Thai Mexico: Interview With Horacio Gutiérrez
Horacio Gutierrez is a Mexican mixed martial artist who has competed in Muay Thai, boxing and MMA. In Mexico he fights out of Baan Singto in Guadalajara and in the US out of Chicago Fight Team in Chicago. Horacio Gutiérrez's stats: Record: Muay Thai 14-2; Boxing 4-0; MMA 4-0 Fight Weight: 145lbs, 66kg Legal Name: Horacio Gutierrez Villanueva Fight Name: Punisher (Castigador) Date Of Birth: 15 September 1990 Please tell us about your fight sport history. I began training Muay Thai at the age of 14 years old. I also train boxing. I started training MMA in 2012. Where are you currently … [Read more...]
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