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Sityodtong Muay Thai Legacy

Kru Yodtong Senanan's place in Muay ThaiThe other school of thought holds that Muay
history is legendary. That's why just twoThai developed as Thai people moved from
Muay Thai academies in the United StatesChina. Whether indigenous or introduced by
qualify as recognized affiliates of theimmigrants, all agree that while much of the
Thailand  camp  that  bears  his  name.history of Thailand - and hence the origins
of Muay Thai - were destroyed during the
The significance of Muay Thai's Kru YodtongBurmese invasions, the emergence of Thailand
Senanan's recent U.S. visit may have beenand the national sport of Muay Thai go hand
lost to those unfamiliar with his celebratedin  hand.
contributions to the ancient art. But for
students and trainers devoted to the art andThe effectiveness and popularity of Muay Thai
sport of Muay Thai, his presence was treatedas a combat skill was further reinforced
with the kind of reverence usually reservedduring the reign of King Naresuan, who
for dignitaries of international distinction.required all Thai soldiers to train in the
fighting art. Later, Phra Chao Seua, "The
So important is Kru Yodtong's role inTiger King," also played a role in the
preserving the history culture that thedevelopment of Muay Thai as the national
Kingdom of Thailand recognized him as asport of Thailand, through his support of
"Superior Teacher of Muay Thai." With theprizefights and the creation of early
proclamation issued directly from the Royal18th-century training camps. In the 2,000
Family, Yodtong's place of honor as a master,years that have transpired since the earliest
teacher and conservator of the sport will beknown occurrence of Muay Thai, the popularity
forever documented in the annals of Thaiof the close-combat art has exploded beyond
history.Thailand's borders, making Muay Thai an
internationally  recognized  sport.
On a recent U.S. trip, Kru Yodtong
accompanied Yodsanan 3k Battery, a WBA superTwo  Schools,  One  Name
featherweight world boxing champion and just
one of many titleholders from Yodtong'sAs the art of Muay Thai is interweaved in the
namesake camp - Sityodtong Muay Thai TrainingCulture of the Thai people, so too are the
Camp.champions of the Sityodtong camp steeped in
traditions of the camp founder's fighting
Along with producing number of skilled Muaytechniques. As the sport continues to gain in
Thai champions, the camp also turns out anpopularity among Westerners, Muay Thai gyms
equally impressive number of Western-stylein the United States are increasing in
boxing champs, all of whom are students ofnumbers. However, of the many gyms that can
the  master  himself,  Kru  Yodtong  Senanan.be found throughout the country, Yodtong has
bestowed only two with the distinct honor of
Muay  Thai  Masterbeing recognized as affiliates of his
legendary camp: Sityodtong USA-Boston and
Born 68 years ago as Erawan Sriwaralak,Sityodtong USA-Los Angeles. As Yodtong
Yodtong's study of Muay Thai began at aexplains, "The name Sityodtong refers to
distance, as the sport was then consideredstudents of Kru (teacher) Yodtong, my family
too dangerous for boys under the age of 15.name. Yod in Thai means above all else and
Still, from the time he was four, Erawantong means flag (i.e., a flag that flies
observed and studied until he was old enoughabove all)." Fighters from Sityodtong USA in
to begin formal training. That training beganBoston and Los Angeles represent a long line
in earnest at Detrprasit Muay Thai camp whenof champions who collectively are a force
Yodtong was 14. His natural proclivity forwith  which  to  be  reckoned.
the art became evident early on. Fighting
under the moniker "Erawan Detrprasit" toSityodtong USA-Boston is the East Coast
honor his camp, he had his first bout justaffiliate of Sityodtong Thailand. Owner and
one year later. At 17, Yodtong moved to theoperator Mark DellaGrotte lived and trained
Senanan Muay Thai camp and competed for sixat Sityodtong Muay Thai Training Camp. A
years before becoming a trainer to a stringcurrent Muay Thai champion, Yod Mark's fight
of Muay Thai champions. Though there are manyrecord includes a second-round KO at the
camps throughout Thailand that specialize infamous Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok. He was
any number of techniques, the heraldedalso ranked tenth at Rajadamnern. Yod Mark's
success of the champions hailing from thetrainer is Kru Toy, Kru Yodtong's son. Kru
Sityodtong Payakaroon Camp comes down toToy is also the manager of Sityodtong
teaching  refined  basics.Thailand, and has traveled to several
countries to promote and preserve his
"Sityodtong is best known for ourfather's teachings in the art and sport of
comprehensive instruction in all basic MuayMuay  Thai.
Thai techniques," Yodtong said, adding that
his camp is especially known for teaching theDellaGrotte's martial arts training includes
proper techniques for the use of elbows,Jeet Kune Do Concepts, Kali, Silat and
kicks and knees. The age restriction placedBrazilian Jiu-jitsu. "Kru Yod Mark" has been
on young fighters back when Yodtong was a boypersonally appointed by Kru Yodtong to teach
have since been removed, allowing training toand promote Muay Thai around the world. His
begin  much  earlier.school, located in the Somerville area of
Boston, has been in operation for seven years
In fact, many of the young fighters atand  has  turned  out  a number of champions.
Yodtong's camp are orphans, some even
juvenile delinquents. Not only are theyThe other school in the United States that
trained in the fighting arts, they are alsohas the honor of being recognized as an
given food and shelter and attend school asaffiliate of his Thailand camp is Sityodtong
well, allowing Yodtong to train the wholeUSA-Los Angeles (Sityodtong LA). The school
person. In addition to his rigorous trainingis owned and operated by Walter "Sleeper"
regimen, Yodtong offers sage advice to youngMichalowski and his wife, world-renowned
fighters: "Be a good student, become a goodmartial artist, June Castro-Michalowski.
teacher and stay away from a path ofWalter, a former Junior Middleweight Muay
cigarettes, alcohol and drugs. To be a goodThai champion, also trains and has fought for
person  is  the  most  important  thing."Kru Gongtalanee Payakaroon representing
Sityodtong  Thailand.
Sityodtong Muay Thai Training Camp is located
near the resort town of Pattaya Beach, aboutMichalowski's training began as a young boy
a 90-minute drive from Bangkok. In operationin the sport of boxing. He also trained in
for over four decades, the camp has turnedtraditional martial arts and later in the
out a long list of champions that includeJeet Kune Do Concepts under Sifu Richard
Daotong Sityodtong, Gongtalanee Payakaroon,Bustillo. In fact, Michalowski met his first
Samart Payakaroon, Yoddamrung, Khaosai GalaxyMuay Thai trainer, Nanfa Serchadeco, an
and  a  host  of  others.Olympic silver medalist in Boxing and
Rajadamnern Stadium champion, while training
The Payakaroon brothers are the twoat the well-known IMB Academy (International
most-celebrated champions from Sityodtong. InMartial Arts and Boxing) in Torrance,
fact, it was the Payakaroon name andCalifornia.
reputation that literally put Sityodtong Muay
Thai Training Camp on the map, thus the CampMichalowski's impressive list of
name, Sityodtong Payakaroon. To be a stadiumaccomplishments includes a kickboxing title
champion is an incredible feat. When youand six Muay Thai belts. At his last
consider that Muay Thai is the national sportprofessional fight he was featured on Thai
of Thailand, becoming a stadium champion cantelevision as the Main Event at the newly
be likened to winning the Super Bowl, thebuilt Pattaya Stadium in Thailand.
World Series, being NBA champs or winning theMichalowski ended the fight with an exciting
Boston Marathon. As a result, it's easy tofirst-round knockout over a formidable
see how an icon like Samart Payakaroon, aopponent,  Phothong  Sor  Preapan.
four-time Lumpinee Stadium champion plus a
WBC champion and his older brotherThanks to his mastery of the art and respect
Gongtalanee Payakaroon, a five-time Lumpineefor the Thai culture, when he and his wife
Stadium champion, are held in the highestopened their Pasadena location (Pro Training,
regard.Inc.) in September 2003, Michalowski, a
certified senior instructor in Muay Thai, was
To appreciate the significance of Muay Thaiapproached by Kru Yodtong and was asked to be
and Kru Yodtong's place of prominence inthe U.S. West Coast affiliate. The facility
bring the fighting skill to its current levelwas officially anointed the West Coast
of notoriety, you must first appreciate Thaiaffiliate of the Sityodtong Muay Thai
culture and history. Yodtong sums up theTraining  Camp.
unique entwining of Muay Thai and Thai
culture this way: "As anyone familiar in MuayNot only have DellaGrotte and Michalowski
Thai will tell you, one can benefit fromhoned their craft at the namesake bearing Kru
improved health, develop a sense a personalYodtong's name, both men understand that the
safety while also enjoying the pleasures ofart of Muay Thai is one with the Thai
out  culture."culture. To separate one from the other is to
denigrate the art. Both Michalowski and
Heart  of  the  People,  Sport  of  KingsDellaGrotte speak Thai, which comes in handy
for the regular trips they make to Thailand
There are two schools of thoughts about howwith their students. And, by earning the
Muay Thai became a national sport ofhonor of becoming affiliates and conservators
Thailand. Some say that during the time ofof Muay Thai in their own right, both
the Burmese invasions of Siam (Thailand),continue a lasting relationship with master
warriors indigenous to the land fought offtrainer, Kru Yodtong. Most important is the
their would-be invaders using their bodies ashumility and respect that every level of
weapons, thus the legend of the most-famousstudent from both camps have for the Muay
and  revered  Thai  boxes,  Nai  Khanom  Tom.Thai master whose traditions and techniques
are taught under the banner of Sityodtong
In the 1700s during the fall of the ancientUSA. Pro Training, Inc. - Sityodtong LA
capital, Burmese soldiers captured and(USA) Muay Thai Academy, located in Pasadena,
imprisoned many Thai citizens. Among theCalifornia (Los Angeles area), is a fully
imprisoned populace were Thai boxers.equipped fighter's gym and the only one of
However, the King of Burma granted Nai Khanomits kind in the entire San Gabriel Valley,
Yom his freedom and the freedom of the otherCalifornia. It is also the West Coast
Thai boxers after he defeated nine BurmeseAffiliate of the legendary SITYODTONG Muay
boxers. Not only did Nai Khanom Tom destroyThai Training Camp in Thailand, known world
his capturer's elite warriors in awide for producing many legendary champions.
spectacular fight to the finish, he alsoSityodtong LA specializes in the art and
defeated a boxing instructor from asport of Muay Thai and feature classes in
neighboring  city.Boxing, Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and
MMA.



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