pammypanda1

RoundKick Promotions will once again be hosting their annual “Muay Thai Classic” at the 7 Flags Event Center in Des Moines Iowa on June 16, 2007. This centrally located North American tournament is open to amateur fighters, ages 8 through adult. This year, the tournament take its place in history as the inaugural event for the newly formed sanctioning body of the Thai Boxing Association (TBA) of the USA. Confirmed athletes, hailing from across the United States and international squads from Canada, will compete to establish the rankings of the TBA and become known as the first TBA title holders!

Men, Women, Junior Fighters!

The RoundKick Rumble Muay Thai Classic is an open tournament for amateurs and will feature both junior and adult divisions. The juniors, ranging from ages 8 to 15, will be fighting in international rules kickboxing while the adult division will compete in Muay Thai rules action. The remaining competitors, ages 16 and 17, will have the opportunity to compete in either rules style.

Ajarn Chai to present awards!

The event will be seasoned with the flavor of Thailand, the country in which the art of Muay Thai began. A traditional custom, “Teachers Day”, will set in motion the day’s festivities as camps pay their respects to the founder and president of the TBA, Ajarn Surachai “Chai” Sirisute. Ajarn Chai will be in attendance throughout the event to crown the champions with handmade mongkons and award the title belts. Two rings will allow fighters to move through approximately 60 elimination rounds and determine who will move forward to the main ring for the evening finals.

Pro Fighters to complete sensational event!

Mixed in with the advancing amateurs, the evening fight card will also include professional bouts. The fighters will continue to respect the traditions of Muay Thai by performing two pre-fight rituals; the Wai Kru and Ram Muay.

For more information or to purchase tickets for either session, please visit www.roundkickrumble.com

or call 712-792-8178 or 866-366-PSDA. Interested fighters, please contact promoter, pete@teamroundkick.com

Media is invited to attend and photograph the event. Please contact Pam in advance: pam@roundkickrumble.com

Host hotel for fighters and media:
Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel, 1800 50th Street , West Des Moines, Iowa, Phone (515) 223-1800
http://www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/roundkickrum

Official Fighter Weigh-in: Friday, June 15, 2007 between 2:00pm -4:00pm at 7 Flags Event Center.
Rules Meeting: Will follow weigh ins at 4:00pm.

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chalambok

I spoke with Ajarn Chai just last week, and he is very pleased with the way this is happening. I had questions concerning TBA sponsoring/sanctioning of local fights and smokers, and his take is to follow the example of the Midwest Region, use all their experiences and advice, and be patient. Hopefully we will all have something going within a year or so, can band together and grow. It cannot be overemphasized we need to support each other, think national act local, to borrow a phrase. If you have someone who hopes to go to Nationals soon, he must have some experience. It is much better to spend money on several fights within your region and do well on the bigger stage, than to think you can somehow 'arrive' without paying your dues. No promoter can afford to take a chance on an unknown. Managers like to be able to prepare their fighters for a good show, and this means it is important to know at least a little about your foe, his camp, his manager, his opponents. Other threads here have discussed the difficulty of monitoring records. We can be the first muay Thai body to begin the process. The IML is organizing currently, with the same thoughts we have. They will be sponsoring junior regionals this July, and professional events starting this fall. This should be the chance for competition to breed better quality muay Thai in the United States, but we must do our part.

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www.chalambok.com

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pammypanda1

What is the IML?

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Garland

Super Cool!

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homo homini lupus

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Garland

International Muay Thai League?

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homo homini lupus

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chalambok

Yes, IML does stand for the International Muay Thai League. The Director/Founder hopes to use competition between them and us to help the growth of the art, co-opetition, to use a phrase coined by Darrell Waltrip. If all goes well they will have a juniors, amateur competition in Bellingham WA in late July (the 28th, possibly some young fighters from the PNW Muay Thai Camp will want to drive up to compete?) and as I said before, a professional event in October. Khru David Brown, IML Founder, has put on pro/ams in Las Vegas; he will be using a venue that seats 2000. I am hopintg that between that between the IML and the TBA we can formulate all the rules necessary for the development and growth of amateur and professional muay Thai in North America.

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www.chalambok.com

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pammypanda1

Chalambok,

Can you please email me the contact information for Khru David Brown. I would like to discuss some of the stuff you have mentioned, with him. I think the Muay Thai sanctioning bodies, gyms, and fighters can start coming together to completely explode Muay Thai across the US and as they say, "strength in numbers". The more "numbers" I have, the more pull I would have with the athletic commissions and other things we are working on for the TBA-SA members, such as the fighters group accident insurance, promoters insurance, etc.

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