Italy knows combat. There were the gladiators. The arenas would sell out. Athletes faced off for life, for honor, for futures. It was wars and wars and wars.

The proud Italian tradition of combat continued in Verona Italy. Three champions of the ring came to the city to show their weapons. Yodsanklai Fairtex, Nong O Gaiyanghaadao, and Sitthitchai Sitsongpeenong displayed their arsenal. It was part of the Amazing Muay Thai Masterclass world tour.

But they didn’t just show off their knives, they helped the Italians how to use them.

“Today I’m here for the Amazing Muay Thai Masterclass,” Fredrico of Italy said.

“It was with 3 superstars. We have done something beautiful. We have done kicks, we have done blocks, we have done movement.”

Nong O kicked off the seminar series with a Wai Kru Ram Muay. Muay Thai is a sport steeped in tradition and culture. Part of that is the pre fight ritual. The Wai Kru Ram Muay is a way for athletes to pay respect to their trainers, teachers, and those who have guided them to the ring.

Nong O’s version included traditional acts of the Isaan farmers. He pretended to cast a net out and then catch fish. This is common practice for the people of North East Thailand. Nong O comes the rural Sakon Nakhon. It is in the upper northeast of Thailand. The area has a large lake, Nong Han on it.

After Nong O’s beautiful demonstration, Sitthitchai “The Killer Kid” taught a great seminar.

The southpaw champion began fighting at 11 years old. He toured through Europe and faced several high level foreigners. He beat Fabio Pinca and Damien Alamos. Like Nong O he comes from Isaan. But unlike Nong O he transitioned into kickboxing.

He is a technical fighter and uses multiple combinations to take out his opponents. His teaching at the seminar included basic scoring. Sitthitchai always looked to win the exchange. For example, if his opponent body kicked him, the second time Sitthitchai would kick out the supporting leg.

The Sitsongpeenong athlete also sparred with several of the athletes.

“I’m amazed by everything that is happening here,” Paul Landeros from the WBC Boxing said about the event.

He came from Mexico to check out the activity and was very impressed.

“There are a lot of fighters and there is a lot of passion.”

Nong O was the next fighter on the stage. As a boxer, he’s changed his style over the years. He was a Muay Fimeu athlete while at the stadiums. Now in the entertainment format of ONE Championship, he is Muay Mad.

But he still taught how to feint. He focused on not only moving the legs but also the body. The lead leg is brought up quickly in Nong O’s fighting style. He also uses his hands to create a distraction. His gloves constantly bounce up and down.

Closing the day was the Boxing computer, Yodsanklai Fairtex. The Southpaw athlete taught basic blocking.

Particularly he focused on correct timing for blocks and hand positioning. For the rear block, he outstretches his hand slightly. From there he movedon to a show of rhythm.

Yodsanklai used basic principles to advance his career to soaring heights.

“Everything in sports has rhythm. If you don’t have rhythm everything is not good,” Yodsanklai said.

After the day of events, gym owners from the area received recognition from the Sports Authority Of Thailand. The SAT, the governing body for the sport, issued certifications for Muay Thai gyms.

Criteria include a clear goal, management, a boxing ring, and more. Those licensed gain access to the SAT’s qualified Muay Thai instructors. They promote their gyms during cultural fairs organized by the Thai Embassy.

Along with the Muay Thai was a brilliant demonstration of Muay Boran. The ancient Martial Art comes from South East Asia. It is considered the origin of Muay Thai.

It is all part of the SAT’s program to certify established Muay Thai gyms worldwide.

The day of activity is part of a Thai governmental program. The Thai government knows that combat sports can unite nationalities.

The Thai government is pushing forward the masterclass seminars as part of the “soft power” initiatives. These programs use culture to grow awareness of the sport and of the beauty of Thailand.

The events included a fight night as well. In the main event Kiewpayak Jitmuangnon took on Yodpt Petchrungruang. It was for the WBC Muay Thai World Superfeatherweight title. It was a classic battle of Muay Thai until things changed dramatically.

The Masterclass continues its world tour. There is a final stop in Singapore.