Thanks for showing this, it is a good representation of the way the test used to be, and also demonstrates the progression from the time when Master Chai used to hold until now. When I tested there were no knees, just double kicking when Master Chai asked you to by kicking at your legs: if he kicked with his right, you jumped back and double-kicked with your right; if he kicked inside your left, you switch-kicked. Anyone who has had Master Chai hold the pads for them will know how difficult this is (impossible if he wishes it to be. He must have knocked me down 3 or 4 times at least). Your test also shows, I believe, the respect Terry Gibson had for you, giving you an honest test while not trying to kill you...lol I think the kicks to your inside thighs hurt a lot, but those 2 body shots early on took all your wind. Nowadays heart doesn't seem to count for as much, the test is more a demonstration of a person's physical abilities. Rarely anymore do I see people get up 3 or 4 times to continue their test. Master Chai and I have talked of this endlessly. The older tests were when he was looking for his personal representatives, tests now are of people who want to be instructors, a small but important distinction. I am not saying my test was any harder than today's tests, just different. I really doubt any holders now will allow a testee to get off 20 knees at one time. I agree with Master Chai when he says the older tests were more mental, the new tests more physical. But the principle remains the same: there are 2 people being tested, one to see if he knows how to use muay Thai to attack (the holder) and one finding out if he can defend himself from a determined attacker for 3 minutes, then doing it again...
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Good Heart, Tim
Thanks for showing this, it is a good representation of the way the test used to be, and also demonstrates the progression from the time when Master Chai used to hold until now. When I tested there were no knees, just double kicking when Master Chai asked you to by kicking at your legs: if he kicked with his right, you jumped back and double-kicked with your right; if he kicked inside your left, you switch-kicked. Anyone who has had Master Chai hold the pads for them will know how difficult this is (impossible if he wishes it to be. He must have knocked me down 3 or 4 times at least). Your test also shows, I believe, the respect Terry Gibson had for you, giving you an honest test while not trying to kill you...lol I think the kicks to your inside thighs hurt a lot, but those 2 body shots early on took all your wind. Nowadays heart doesn't seem to count for as much, the test is more a demonstration of a person's physical abilities. Rarely anymore do I see people get up 3 or 4 times to continue their test. Master Chai and I have talked of this endlessly. The older tests were when he was looking for his personal representatives, tests now are of people who want to be instructors, a small but important distinction. I am not saying my test was any harder than today's tests, just different. I really doubt any holders now will allow a testee to get off 20 knees at one time. I agree with Master Chai when he says the older tests were more mental, the new tests more physical. But the principle remains the same: there are 2 people being tested, one to see if he knows how to use muay Thai to attack (the holder) and one finding out if he can defend himself from a determined attacker for 3 minutes, then doing it again...
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Hi,
I do have that footage. When I get a chance I will capture and upload it.
TimLeave a comment:
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Tim,
Do you have footage of the technique portion of your test? If so, is this something too that Master Chai would be fine with you posting? I would love to see the difference in technique between your test and mine. I know Ajarn Chai likes to change things periodically and I assume from the early 90's to the 2000's things have changed a bit!
GruhnLeave a comment:
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Video of my Thaiboxing Instructor Test...
Hi,
Ajarn Chai asked that I make my test available via video, so here it is....
Test rules can be viewed here: http://www.thaiboxing.com/test_guidelines.php
At the time of my test which was in 1990, holders did not wear shin pads and there was no headgear. The requirement was 60 kicks and 40 knees per 3 minute round.
The holder for my first round was Mike Parker and the second round holder was Terry Gibson.
The test was held at an international martial arts camp in Wisconsin promoted by Pete Hetricks. Guro Dan Inosanto, Larry Hartsell, Paul DeThouars, Burt Poe and Ajarn Chai all taught.
Four people took their test that day...my good friend and training partner Dean Lessei, Dave Leitch, John Fehling and myself. Greg Nelson, Burt Richardson and a few other guys were holders. The only person to pass that day was Dave. Dean retook his second test with me in Atlanta and passed and I'm not sure what John did.
On to the fun...
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