namsaksoi, samui n Chaweng Stadium - by tateZ.com

greetings reader,
i received a post from our friend and journalist, mr.tate zandstra on namsaknoi, koh samui and his gym.. my many thank you for the news, updates and lovely photos.

Bright lights come up, drowning the spinning rainbow kaleidoscope of the massive disco ball hung almost preposterously above the boxing ring. The blend of generic American and Euro pop music abruptly stops, and the traditional drum and flute music of the Muay Thai bout shrills, grating, through the dense, wet island air.

Said to be an irresistible call to battle for the ardent warrior, the music, as advertised, draws two fighters to the ring. Garbed in colorful shorts, boxing gloves, and and a monk blessed headband, the fighters ignore each other as they go about the Ram Muay, a ritual best described as being part dance, part stretch, and part physical display. The fighters composed, Ram Muay finished, and after a brief pause for prayer, the Nak Muay, barely older than boys, turn toward one another, their faces reflective of no emotion, and the fight, which will be full contact, fierce and dangerous, begins…Seasoned pro to absolute beginner, for a range of fitness goals; weight loss, strength, flexibility, endurance, or to fine tune the tricks of the trade; if you want to learn Muay (Boxing) Thai from one of the finest fighters Thailand has ever produced, now is your chance.

Namsaknoi, as he is known in the ring, has recently retired from full time professional fighting with 300 or so bouts and a laundry list of titles from the most prestigious governing bodies in Thailand, the home of Muay Thai. Emerging from the village of Chaiya, in the southern province of Surat Thani, Mohammed Chaiyama began winning titles, and attracting attention, as a young boy. As he grew older and gained weight, Namsaknoi, his ring name inspired by his uncle, the original Namsak (Great One) captured titles in each weight division he entered, from 35 kilograms (77 pounds) to 61 Kilograms (135 pounds). He finished his career, after twenty years, at the world renowned Por. Pramuk gym, from where his former stablemate Buakaw has gained international fame for his success in Japan's K1 circuit.

In his own brief career as an international fighter, Namsaknoi defeated world class fighters in japan and Korea, though the bulk of his accomplishments were achieved the much more unforgiving arenas of Thailand, which earned him three Lumpinee belts, two prestigious Sports Writer's Association Fighter of the Year awards, and various other captured titles.

Koh Samui, a tropical jewel set amid the Thai kingdom's dazzling crown of islands which stretches along the southern shore of the Gulf of Thailand, Namsaknoi trains at Chaweng stadium. White sand beaches, tropical jungle, historic landmarks, international restaurants and a relentless nightlife compete for your off time. Samui offers a range of hotels to fit all budgets; from world class resorts to simple beach bungalows, and many affordable, air conditioned, clean rooms, all of which can be arranged for by Namsaknoi and the staff of Chaweng stadium prior to your arrival.

Training morning, afternoon, or both, your training will begin with a short "shadow boxing" warm up, followed by several supervised rounds learning or perfecting the techniques of Muay Thai; kick, punch, knee, block, and elbow, which you will consequently be called upon to employ when you step into the ring with Namsaknoi, who will teach you how to use your techniques against a live opponent. Training finishes with clinching; an integral, though often overlooked facet of the sport, one upon which the outcome of a fight often rests.

Several times each week, one of the various boxing stadiums around the island holds an event, giving you the opportunity to see Muay Thai in action, up close, which may divide it from many other martial arts, which do not regularly engage in competition. For those most serious about their training, the stadium manager can arrange an opponent for you. The experience of entering the ring, in Thailand, amid the atmosphere and tradition, even if only once, is the ultimate experience in Muay Thai, and win or lose, you will understand the reason behind the rigorous training; and, in your corner, you will know you have a powerful ally; Namsaknoi.

Photo left : Namsaknoi and writer, tate zandra.

thanks alot again Tate. it would be great to receive more posting on namsaknoi and related topic in the future.

for more info and read stories by tate, feel free to visit his website at : tateZ.com and can be contact at : Tate.zandstra@gmail.com