Singapore is a city of business and the Thai Embassy saw the fight business. The Amazing Muay Thai Masterclass put on a stacked day of events. Yodsanklai Fairtex, Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong, and Nong 0 Hama Muay Thai taught seminars. It was at the Thai embassy in Singapore.

The day kicked off with a presentation on the sport’s history. Muay Thai is developing fast. There are several key reasons for this including:

There is an increase in communication through social media and language exchange.

Now, athletes can see what their favorite boxers are doing in Thailand via Instagram. They can also learn faster. Translation apps help. And Thais speak better English. More foreigners can speak, read, and write Thai, so news travels faster.

Soldiers from the Thai military demonstrated Muay Boran. The sport developed from Southeast Asian Martial arts. These older arts are grouped together as Muay Boran.

Then the intensive learning began.

Sitthichai was the first to the stage. He is a former Glory Kickboxing and Lumpinee stadium champion. He used his Muay Fimeu (technical) tricks and style to transition from Muay Thai into kickboxing.

One of the specific things he taught was how to use the teep to disrupt the opponent and then smash in a flying kick. In Muay Thai you can teep the thigh, but as Sitthichai said, in Kickboxing you must teep the stomach or hip.

“I’ve met a lot of people that have contributed to my knowledge, so I teach better,” Sitthichai said. “It’s been a great experience for me to develop myself.”

The Lion From Khmer taught next. Singdam Kiatmoo 9 is from a small village in Isaan.

Despite the size of the town the village created a global impact on the sport.

Despite the size of the town the village created a global impact on the sport. Superlek, Petchpanomrung, and others are from the Kiatmoo 9 stable.

The fighters used a strong kicking style to get to the top.

“I’m a right kicker. It’s very hard. When I fought foreigners I had to adapt. Against Thais I kicked more. Against foreigners I used more punches,” Singdam said.

When he taught Singdam used different combinations. They included basic kick and punch combinations.

For athletes like Singdam the Amazing Muay Thai Masterclass is an incredible experience.

“This was my first time. I hope to come back again,” he said.

It’s a point of growth for the fighters. They get to interact with more foreigners and learn about different cultures. They also learn about themselves.

“I learned that I was able to teach to a lot of people,” Singdam said. “The atmosphere was incredible.”

Singdam teaches Muay Thai in China but is now even more international. He is available for seminars abroad. You can reach him via his Instagram.

 

The Boxing Computer Yodsanklai Fairtex closed the show. The Southpaw athlete taught basic rhythm. He is a stadium and international champion. Yodsanklai used basic principles to advance his career to soaring heights.

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

The crowd included gym owners and students.

Local gym owner and promoter Spencer Tay was on hand for the event. His gym, Eminent Air, is directly connected to Thailand.

“The Masterclass today was amazing, we’ve never had one of this size before. The participants are enjoying themselves. Many Singaporeans grew up watching these three guys. Especially Yodsanklai when he was in Contender Asia,” Tay said.

Tay and Eminent Air received an award from the SAT, Sports Authority of Thailand. It was a recognition that the facility is an accredited Muay Thai gym.

“The SAT award is a good boost for us. It’s very high for us to receive it. The gyms that received it helped grow the Muay Thai scene in Singapore,” Tay said.

The SAT is the governing body for the sport. 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.

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

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.