Originally Posted by GorillaPalmz

well, seeing as i was the one being critical, i guess your post refers to me.

first of all, no fighter would say the tba test is harder than training and actually fighting. maybe those who think the tba test is hard should go fight-train with a true thai boxing trainer for a month, then get in the ring for 3x2 class c fight. try that a couple times. the tba test is hard in its own way, granted - it's obviously set up to deal out punishment, not test for technique. what does the test actually show, as far as thai boxing skill goes? who can't hit someone that can't hit back (at least the seniors should have to spar a round with the guy they just held pads for, to show actual thai boxing skill)? and what "instructor" qualifications does it show? it's the equivalent of board-breaking - difficult but pointless, in terms of showing skill. it's classic hazing, it allows senior members to haze prospects and reaffirm the hierarchy. it's the equivalent of a martial arts fraternity.

i give much more props to those who train their ass off and actually get in the ring and fight, at whatever level. some of those people are tba certified, but they get props for the fighting, not for "testing." there's nothing like passing the tba test? try winning your first fight, man. like a lot of people, i hit pads to train, i don't train to hit pads, and certainly not for the promise of some certificate that has nothing to do with the sport. "the belt is in the ring" is a popular thai boxing saying, i don't know why that should change.

as far as respect and humility go, some of us are adults, we don't want to be treated like children with some transparent carrot-and-stick ploy. i don't need anybody threatening me with 3-mile runs or a million push-ups or promise of some certification to get something done.

that being said, i think master chai is a good guy and, you know, maybe he's just giving the western audience what they expect from martial arts - karate, but thai boxing style. the instructorship certificate is like having a black belt, i guess. i mean, who wants to go out and train and fight (or even just train active fighters properly) to earn respect when you can just hit pads all day and get an instructor's certificate? i mean, to each their own, but whatever.