Some funny discussion

[Khun Kao]

Yeah, I guess you could say that the number of fights is on the low-side when compared to other retired fighters. I don't know what the average # of fights is.

But you have to consider that even if the # is low when compared to other fighters, seventy five fights is still a LOT of fights! Compare that to your average boxer. How many boxers hit 75 fights? Not many...

Master K retired from fighting in his early 20's. He told me that the reason why is that he simply lost interest. His heart wasn't in it anymore. In a nutshell, his attention turned towards the ladies. His fight record when he retired was 71-4.

Now, as far as the gear being worn by the fighters, you're right. It does depend on the organization/s that we fight for. Some require headgear and shinpads, some give us the option. Sometimes it depends on the Promotor or the State.

Khun Kao

[retired]

Khun Kao
Thanx for clearing up that, the protective gear is the same here due to different organisations & the choise between the fighters.
What happened to Master K with him retiring was a bit like the way i went (before leg damage) because at the start i got into it but after a few fights i just found i couldn't get the right attitude to fight (i have no anger/drive unless i'm threatened & i bet quite a few people are like this) so i eventually concentrated just taking in everything i see in the gym & try to assist people who i think i can help.
I get so much pleasure from watching my instructors students & training with them & correcting them on what people may think small or trivial but can make big differences.
Im there & here to learn and love it.

[retired]

Khun Kao (1)
I showed some pics of Master K's site to my instructor who tells me that some of the stuff is very old style tradition E.G. the reverse low elbow.
Does he still teach this as a lot of the original styles are dying out like the double chest strikes (no picture).

[retired]

Khun Kao (2)
Also i haven't seen this technique, can you explain how he get's his right hand into this position & why?
I think it's for control but not sure?
Did he have to take any of the impact with his left arm or right shoulder or did he circle into his opponent?

[retired]

Khun Kao (3)
Also can you explain what's happening in this picture?
1. Lifting leg to avoid kick? (but the toes are forward)
2. About to kick the attacking leg?
3. The opponent about to kick his rear leg although not likelly with him?

[Khun Kao]

RE: pictured techniques

COMMENTS REGARDING PICTURE #1:

The Reverse Elbow Strike is a very popular tactic with us. Master K was an elbow specialist as a fighter. His official fight name was "Suriya Sak Suree", but his nickname was "I Sawk Kwan" which roughly means "Mr. Axe Elbow". He teaches us to use elbows from every imaginable attack angle.

I can't really say for sure how much of the stuff that Master K teaches is "old style" or "traditional" Muay Thai. I do know that his style of fighting and teaching is different than what you commonly see in the ring today. He teaches us to use very active footwork and to keep dancing around your opponent. If you have ever seen the old black & white footage of Muay Thai bouts where the fighters bounce around the ring alot as they fight, that is the way that Master K fought, and teaches us to fight.

Back to the what I was saying about Master K being an elbow specialist, Master K prefers to fight at long range, using punches and kicks. However, he specialized in elbow tactics and scored most of his Knockouts that way because he would dance around kicking and punching his opponents, but then he would KTFO them when they attempted to close the distance to clinch with him. Master K actually does not teach very much clinchwork outside of the basics. I've learned much of my own personal clinchwork from other sources, such as my current coach Master Danny.

COMMENTS REGARDING PICTURE #2:

LO-f'in-L!!!!! What you are seeing is the difficulties in trying to take a still picture of an action sequence. The reason his hand is in that position is because the photo is "posed", and to help his student keep still enough for the picture, he is actually holding his students leg so that they can both remain balanced.

The point of the picture was to simply demonstrate countering with a low roundhouse kick to the support leg while blocking the high roundhouse kick.

COMMENTS REGARDING PICTURE #3:

In regards to this pic, you have to realize that these photos were taken back in 1993. I'm not 100% sure anymore what exact technique was being demonstrated, but IIRC it is the first choice, that he is lifting his leg to avoid a low kick. The toes are pointed forward for two reasons. One, it gets the toes up higher so that the incoming kick does not accidentally hit your foot and hurt your toes. But more importantly, the 2nd reason is that you are now positioned to respond with a Push Kick counter. The Push Kick is a major part of our arsenal. If we can stand on the outside and Push Kick you the entire fight, we will!

Khun Kao

[retired]

Ha Ha thanx mate i can fully understand what you mean about the posing for photo as being a digital photographer myself it can be an absolute pain to get the pictures right when things are done fast.
Yes i think probablly a lot of what your instructor does is classed as old style traditional muay thai, my instructor noticed straight away & he learnt this way deep up in the thai mountains that can be a lot different to the stuff tought now that's more geared for the ring & the adaption of western boxers from the 80's onwards.

[Khun Kao]

Sounds about right. Master K was a fighter in the 50's. He retired from the ring in the early 60's. Modern Muay Thai is a lot more heavily influenced by International Boxing than it was back in his time. The footwork is a lot more subtle and not as active.

Khun Kao