The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), has just announced additional signings to ONE Super Series, which aims to provide the world's best martial artists a global platform to showcase the beauty of Asia's striking arts such as Muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, taekwondo, Kung Fu, wushu, sanda, silat, lethwei, and more. ONE Super Series will launch in Manila, Philippines at ONE: HEROES OF HONOR on 20 April at the Mall of Asia Arena. The promotion has already signed top talents including multiple-time Muay Thai world champions Petchboonchu FA Group, Nong-O Gaiyanghadao, Yodsaenklai Fairtex, Sam-A Gaiyanghadao, Singtongnoi Por Telakun, … [Read more...]
A Tale of Two Koreas – A North Korean Kid in a South Korean Gym
Summer is in full force when I step into the gym sometime in mid-June. Scanning the perspiring faces around me as I get ready for the evening’s training session, my eyes stop on a new kid. Unlike the others, who are dressed comfortably in sleeveless cotton tops and Muay Thai trunks, the new boy is clad in a long-sleeved sweater and too-thick pants. “That’s Han*,” Okbae whispers, coming up beside me. “Be gentle with him for now. He’s kind of ... fragile.” Throughout the training session that evening, I notice that Han keeps his head down most of the time, averts his gaze whenever he is spoken to, and makes little attempt to venture out of his little corner, where he seems comfortable … [Read more...]
From Domestic Violence Survivor to Muay Thai Fighter: The Story of Casey Lynn
It’s become a regular occurrence for Casey Lynn to have to argue with the doorman at the fights. No one believes she’s a fighter. A fighter’s girlfriend maybe, but an actual fighter? Never. It usually takes a while, especially if her picture isn’t on the program, but eventually she gets in. Lynn is not your stereotypical Muay Thai fighter. She smiles a lot. She definitely doesn't dress the part, and usually shows up to fight in her cowboy boots and daisy dukes. Her two daughters, ages seven and twelve, are always by her side, whether at the gym or cheering her on at ringside. The girls have had to sacrifice a lot for their mom, who has been living the life of Muay Thai for the past five … [Read more...]
Voices of the Archipelago: Kang Rafijen of Maenpo Peupeuhan Adung Rais
On my trip to Indonesia in 2014, I had the pleasure of sojourning in the city of Bandung located in western Java. Bandung is one of Indonesia’s largest cities with over 8 million inhabitants and only one small airport (although a new one is currently being constructed), so most people that I know drive from the capital of Jakarta. Bandung is famous for the quality of its silat practitioners. I had previously visited Bandung for a workshop with Bambang Suwanda (Harimau Silat) in 2011, but that was only for an afternoon at a nice hotel. This time, I was going to have the pleasure of an extended stay where I could experience the city. My impression of … [Read more...]
Switching It Up
Should fighters keep switching stances and keep going back and forth between orthodox and southpaw? History tells us no. The best fighters in the world, no matter the discipline, have stuck to one primary stance. Just look at Mayweather, Buakaw, Yodsanklai, Ali, and even George St. Pierre. However, this does not mean that a new generation has to follow suit. There is no rule book that says you have to stick to one. Let’s examine the pros and cons about going back and forth. Defense One of the main tenants of martial arts is to hit and not get hit. In order to do that, most of us practitioners have been taught to stand at an angle, keeping the dominant hand and leg behind. This means that … [Read more...]
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