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Training with the Legend By Tania Presutti Photography.Tania Presutti One man embodies American Muaythai more than anyone else. Master Toddy has trained with a numerous of world champions and he is more than anyone responsible for the success of female Muaythai fighters in the states. He’s been a trainer most of his life and both experienced and new students of Muaythai benefit from this. Somebody said, it seems like he knows ‘the secret’. Angela Rivera Parr, Gina Carano, Maurice Smith, Tito Ortiz, Melchor Menor and Contender Asia Two contestant Kit Cope are amongst the fighters that have all been training under Master Toddy and benefitted from his experience. So given the opportunity to train at Master Toddy’s Muaythai Academy during my brief stay in Las Vegas, I gladly devoted my time to improve on my Muaythai and take the opportunity to train with the legendary Master. Before coming to Vegas I kind of had an idea of what to expect of both the gym and Master Toddy. Master Toddy himself was as friendly, as I had thought him to be. He had this special feeling of ‘calmness’ about him that often surrounds old masters, who’s been training and teaching for many years. The gym itself was a big space with bright colors on the walls and different kinds of bags hanging from the ceiling, with a lot of friendly people. So it was easy to feel at home. Read more in WMM available in print through Australian Newsagents, digital online or by subscription world wide. Fight Show News 1-1 Grand Slam - Taipan Unleashed - Warriors at War - Madness at Mansfield - BIG8 in Belarus - WAR of the HEROS - Hervey Bay Fight Festival - Muaythai Fight Club - Muaythai Action - FIGHTWORLD CUP. Read more in WMM available in print through Australian Newsagents, digital online or by subscription world wide Champions Vs Champions II By Steven Wright Reports Great Fights… For everyone that has ever been to a large fighting event, it would be of no surprise to you just how great the fighters themselves are. After having a word with them it is easy to ask for pictures and autographs. As a journalist and fighter I could ask any question and was invited to every gym. Eugene Ekkelboom even talked me into fighting upon my next trip to Thailand. Yet in all of my years as a fighter, fight fan and journalist, I have never felt as bad for the fighters as I did in Jamaica. I say this at no fault of the fighters, the matchmaker, or even the promoters. I just feel that the execution of the event was made more difficult by the promotions attempt to adapt to the crowd. Our story starts off with the cultural norm of everything starting late and running long in Jamaica. Read the full article at worldmuaythaimagazine.com WMC World Heavy-Weight Title Paul Slowinski (POL) Vs Patrice Quarteron (FRA)
2nd Round KO Win for Slowinski. Paul Slowinski… Defending a TitleOnce I arrived in Jamaica, the first people I meet are Ernesto Hoost and Paul Slowinski. Hoost is one of the best fighters of all time in the kickboxing world, being the holder of four K-1 World Grand Prix Titles. Hoost was in Jamaica as trainer for Paul Slowinski. Slowinski, also a K-1 veteran, was there to defend his WMC heavy-weight World Muaythai Championship against the towering French men Patrice Quarteron. My style of reporting is usually not to ask questions, but just hang with the fighters and get into fight orientated conversation. I then ask if it is alright if I report on the things talked about. It worked out extremely well here, as the two men were eager to talk about the sport they loved. After a two-hour conversation about the pros and cons of K-1, training in Holland, jokes about Paul’s female interest, and the two WMC title fights with Jargen Kruth, it was time to head to the weigh-ins. Read the full article at worldmuaythaimagazine.com WMC M.A.D Championship (M.A.D) and the UN Cup
Tyrone Spong (SUR) Vs Nathan Corbett (AUS) Controversial Fight Ending in a No Contest Nothing solved… Tyrone Spong Vs Nathan CorbettWhen I wrote about this fight at the beginning of the year I thought it was a pipe dream to say the least. The two fighters were going in two different directions. Once it was announced that I would get to see the fight of the decade, I should have known then that something would intervene and keep this fight from being what it should be. Playing the roll of dream killer was Paolo Tocha the third man in the ring. After some great knockdowns and a lot of confusion the fight ended in a no-contest. However we can’t get to the controversial result without the controversial fight. Read the full article at worldmuaythaimagazine.com Read more in WMM available in print through Australian Newsagents, digital online or by subscription world wide. Chris “Mr. Classic” Romulo By John Wolcott Photography. Steve Ferdman When we consider the word “classic,” we are often reminded of classic cars or classical music, classic works of art or classic novels. Similarly, when professional Muaythai fighter Chris Romulo steps into the ring, he brings with him that masterful, first-rate substance that embodies the term “classic.” Just like an artist creating a painting, Romulo prides himself on performance and the outcome of his work. As Chris explains it, “What draws me to fighting is the art of it all. Deep down I am an artist. When I step into the ring I hope to paint, play, sculpt and perform the ultimate masterpiece. I want people to appreciate the art of combat. I believe that’s what makes Muaythai “The most distinguished martial art.” Muaythai isn’t just about fighting; it’s about expressing yourself through your movements, your spirit, and your mental fortitude.” Read more in WMM available in print through Australian Newsagents, digital online or by subscription world wide Muaythai Australia has a Future The foundation message that Muaythai Australia (Formerly known as Oceania Muaythai Federation) President re-elect, John Cockburn delivers is that Muaythai must be judges as a sport for everyone. “Turning out elite athletes is central to our public image and is why we get reasonably good media coverage at this stage of our development. What we need to do for our future is to show to our juniors and their parents that Muaythai has a future in mainstream Australian sport’ he continued. Read more in WMM available in print through Australian Newsagents, digital online or by subscription world wide. Australian Sports Commission Recognition WMM asks john Cockburn what will the ASC recognition mean for your trainers and athletes? In essence Muaythai Australia (Formerly known as Oceania Muaythai Federation) members will now be seen as being part of Australian sport. This is important for recognition and also for funding opportunities particularly at the grass roots level. Being a member of the ASC recognized Federation will become the biggest tick of credibility that a trainer can put before the parents of new juniors. Read more in WMM available in print through Australian Newsagents, digital online or by subscription world wide. Muaythai for Everybody Muaythai is a sport for everybody. There are many aspects and benefits of practicing Muaythai – for fitness, a lifestyle, or as a spectator sport. Muaythai as a competition sport has great spectator appeal as it packs stadiums to capacity around the world. However, Muaythai is much more than a competition sport. It is simultaneously a combat sport and a cultural experience. The quality of sportsmanship and respect amongst fighters is unparalleled. Read more in WMM available in print through Australian Newsagents, digital online or by subscription world wide. SportAccord Combat Games Qualifiers Officials at Muaythai Australia are seeking corporations and promoters interested in being on board to assist in our plight to send Australia’s elite Muaythai professionals “Dream Team” to participate at the inaugural SportAccord Combat Games in Beijing, China, 2010. “The first SportAccord Combat Games. Scheduled from August 28 to September 4, 2010, the competition will showcase 13 Martial Arts and Combat sports, both Olympic and non-Olympic. The event will also include a cultural program that will reflect the social and cultural values of these sports and Combat Games as a whole.” SportAccord Combat Gameswww.agfisonline.com “I am happy to say that we have secured one of the Olympic stadiums. It will be an amazing venue. The atmosphere at the meeting was very enthusiastic with the other twelve representatives of the participating martial arts. Of utmost importance is that all thirteen recognised martial art and combat sports are participating.” Let the qualifications begin. Stephan Fox
General Secretary, IFMA Read more in WMM available in print through Australian Newsagents, digital online or by subscription world wide. The Queen’s Cup Muaythai Competition The Queen’s Cup Muaythai Competition held in Honour of Her Majesty the Queen of Thailand’s 77th birthday was held on Wednesday, the 12th of August at Sanum Luang (Bangkok) set against the beautiful back drop of the Grand Palace with Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of he Emerald Buddha) on the left and Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) on the right. The Queen’s cup featured female fighters from Thailand, France, Finland, Australia, England, Canada, Malaysia, Iran, Italy, the USA, South Africa and Japan. The Queen’s Cup is organised annually as a partnership between the World Muaythai Council, the world Governing Body for professional Muaythai under the directive of the Royal Thai Government and One Songchai Promotions. Read more in WMM available in print through Australian Newsagents, digital online or by subscription world wide. For the Honour By Caitalin Abu Baker-MayPhotography. Caitalin Abu Baker-May Honour of participation in this event of such significance to all and the foreign fighters are now offering the Thai’s exciting match-ups. The Queen’s Cup Muaythai Competition is about honour and glory for all, Nak Muays, their trainers, spectators, Thai and foreign alike to mark this celebration for the Queens 77th Birthday. Thai gyms filled with whispers of the hopes, dreams and successes of getting on the Queens Cup card! On checking in with the fighters on the card at the fights, it’s all about the dreams and honour of participation, you’ll hear it again and again! Read more in WMM available in print through Australian Newsagents, digital online or by subscription world wide. Dalia Hosny By Caitalin Abu Baker-May Photography. Caitalin Abu Baker-MayFrom her first 10-day trip to a Thai training camp in 2007, Dalia Hosny’s future was clear. With 15 Thai fights to her name, Egyptian-born Hosny is now the first female Muaythai fighter to work as a professional fighter for a Thai training camp. After years training Kung Fu, Taekwondo and Karate, the Egyptian-born fighter started Muaythai classes in Dubai in mid-2006, and within months it was clear she excelled at the sport. Hosny put her skill down to “really liking” her newfound sport, which she said suited her more than the fighting styles she had previously trained in. Read more in WMM available in print through Australian Newsagents, digital online or by subscription world wide. Nicole Brolan... My Thailand Experience It was an amazing experience. To look out into the crowd and to not be able to see beyond all the people watching was fantastic. It was fantastic to hear how vocal the crowd was. The Thai people are so happy that you are there fighting for their Queen it is lovely. I loved being able to watch girls from other countries battle it out and see who else is out there. Read more in WMM available in print through Australian Newsagents, digital online or by subscription world wide. It’s official… Women Love Muaythai By Sarah Martin And I don’t mean they love watching macho blokes punching it out as they sit ringside in their designer heels – they love being in centre ring, showing the world how it’s done. I spoke to some of the hottest women in Muaythai across the globe and they all agreed: more women should put on the gloves and have a go. The reasons range from health, fitness and weight loss, to self defence, making friends and travel opportunities. Karen Williams, Tiana Caverley, Heather O’Donnell, Nicole Brolan, Caley Lewis, Alla Ivashkevich and Julie Kitchen Read more in WMM available in print through Australian Newsagents, digital online or by subscription world wide. BULLDOG GYM BALMAIN Steve Guinane founded Bulldog Gym Balmain in 2006, and first started off in a small room at the Balmain PCYC, with only two classes per week, on a Tuesday and Thursday night. Twelve months on and with good attendance the need for a bigger space was evident. Steve began looking for a better facility to hold the ever growing classes, and start up his own full time gym. Mid-way through 2006 Steve opened what is now a fully functioning gym. The gym has a cardio room, bag room, weights room, massage studio, and a ring for the fighters.Read more in WMM available in print through Australian Newsagents, digital online or by subscription world wide.
My Challenge for…The Golden Belt Southern British Title. By Marc Aplin EXACTLY one year to the day that I returned from my Thailand adventure I will step into the ring for the fight of my life when I challenge for the Golden Belt Southern British Title. Those who follow WMM will have read about my year in Thailand where I spent time at top gyms such as WMC, Superpro Samui, True Bee as well as a number of Issan Gyms that a foreign Nak-Muay had not previously visited. One of which I fought for and ended up being the first foreigner to compete in the town’s yearly festival. Read more in WMM available in print through Australian Newsagents, digital online or by subscription world wide. Lights… Camera.. Action… Contender Asia Season Two is coming With cameras already rolling, we caught up with Eli and Jesse between a break in filming. The Contender Asia series shines the spotlight on our sport and with strategic alliances set to showcase the tourism appeal of Malaysia as host country. Whilst there has been a few bumpy roads leading into Malaysia, the fans are excited to know the lights are on, the cameras are rolling and the action is set shine bigger and brighter than season one. Read more in WMM available in print through Australian Newsagents, digital online or by subscription world wide. In This Issue, we also have Muaythai Rising Stars Jesse Booth and Joshua Primmer, Every Issue we look to profile junior amateur talent and in this issue we talk with Jesse Booth and Joshua Primmer both young guns on the Australian fight scene. No Contest Ramon Dekkers Seminar training with the Master himself, we have our photobook report. Muaythai Australia Rankings, Directory and Give-a-ways. As we come to market with WMM 06, we are now building our next issue WMM 07 for release in Thailand for Muaythai Australia at the World Championships and King’s Cup November 27th to December 5th. A prime opportunity to place your message in our next issue circulating to over 100 Muaythai countries and 1000’s of fighters from around the world coming together in one spot at one time, be part of the “Thailand on Tour Souvenir Issue.” |
