Muay Thai is a sport that you step in the ring on your own, alone. But you would’t be able to, if you didn’t have an experienced team behind you supporting and preparing you through all the steps until the big day.
Considering this, we’ve always done our best to build up our team of trainers at SRG with only former and current professional fighters with an extensive resume fighting in Australia or overseas.
Currently, our team of full time trainers is composed by 5 Thai trainers and 2 Brazilians. How much do you know about them? From now on, we will be writing a little bit about our trainers and giving you a bit of a insight in their careers as both trainer and fighter.
To start off, our silent killer, Thiraphong Kittikhun aka Joh.
Joh started training when he was 6 years old and had his first fight when he was 7 years old. After many years fighting in Krabi and becoming 3 times South Thailand champion, was time to move up to the big leagues.
In the past, being able to fight in Bangkok (the world’s Muay Thai capital) was a feat reserved only to the most exciting and technical fighters. At the very young age of 11 years old, Joh had his first shot in joining the best Muay Thai fighters of his time competing at both Lumpinee and Rajadanmern stadium.
To be able not to only compete, but also climb up the rankings on the stadiums in Thailand in something impressive on it’s own. Yod did his best and fought against some Muay Thai legends.
Unlucky is a strong word, but due to opponents pulling out, injuries and other unforseen situations, Joh spent years among the best ranked Lumpinee fighters but had 3 Lumpinee title fights cancelled at the last minute.
Still, his biggest achievement comes from being listed on Petchyindee list of legends. Petchyindee is regarded as one of the best promoters in the world, a family business that has passed along from father to son. On the father’s legend list, Joh is among legends of Muay Thai such as Saenchai, Singdam, Yodsanklai, Nong-o and Sam-a.
Due to his stadium popularity, he wasn’t strange to being featured on Muay Thai magazines and newspaper, what led him to a different approach in fighting at the end of his career in Thailand. Joh’s popularity rise, led him to invest his time in competing in fights with bigger purses pushed by gamblers. This step in his career pushed him further away from being able to win a title in Bangkok but helped him out to improve his financial situation.
Through his career, his most notable opponents were Sam-A Gaiyanghadao, Superbon Singhamawyin, Songkhom Wor Sangrapai, Panpetch Chor Napattalung, Norasingh Lukbanyai and Nattaphon Por Khunpai.
Unfortunately Joh’s career in Thailand was cut short due to a shoulder injury when he fought Superbon. Due to the injury severity, he had to stay away from the ring for a few years and during his absence fighting, he started teaching in Phuket at the old Sitsongpeenong Muay Thai until moving to Australia at SRG. Here in Australia, he felt motivated once again to jump back in action fighting for SRG. If you are curious about his fights in Australia, serch up his name on youtube to have a look on Joh’s style.
We are really blessed having trainers so talented and dedicated like Joh sharing their knowledge with us at SRG.
Soon we will be posting about our other trainers, so keep an eye here!
SOOT RAAENG GEERT