Fighter Profile: Namsaknoi Yutthakarnkamtorn

I realize a lot of people who join YUMT is entirely new to the sport itself, and generally don't know much about actual Thai fighters. While Kru has assigned our fighters homework to look up Thai fighters, I figure once and a while I can post about some well known ones.

Here is Namsaknoi Yutthakarnkamtorn, "The Emperor" (profile and videos)



Vital stats:

DOB: October 13, 1979
Weight: 135 lbs
Record *until 2004*: 280 Wins, 15 Loses , 5 Draws

Titles & Achievments:

Lumpinee Champion 115 lbs
Lumpinee Champion 122 lbs
Lumpinee Champion 135 lbs ( 2000-2006 )
WMC World Champion 115 lbs
PABA Boxing Champion 135 lbs
Ford Ranger Tournament champion
Southern Thailand champion 95 lbs
Southern Thailand champion 126 lbs
Best Fighther of the year 1996 by the Sportswriters Association of Thailand
Best Fighther of the year 1999 by the Sports Authority of Thailand
Best Wai Kru/Ram Muay of the year 2001
Best Wai Kru/Ram Muay of the year 2006


Namsaknoi performing his beautiful and critically acclaimed Ram Muay

Namsmaknoi is one of the most celebrated fighters of the modern era with his mutiple titles and prestigious awards. He has shared the ring with many legends and has wins over talents such as Saenchai sor Kingstar and Attachai Fairtex. He has fought in many different places: Thailand, Japan, Korea and Israel (when he boxed).

Holding the Lumpinee title for 6 years, he retired a champion and began teaching. He has recently (mid 2008) made a return to the ring.


Namsaknoi clinching with Buakao...

An interesting tidbit: Namsaknoi fought out of Por Pramuk gym for a while, and was stablemates with none other than Thai K-1 superstar, Buakao. Buakao has named Namsaknoi as one of his idols (can't remember where I read that but I'm pretty sure he does).


Thai fighters in Korea's KOMA tournament: Namsaknoi second from the right

Videos:

Highlight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf6x-4yQ-uc

Vs Attachai: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-XfzLURC4A


Vs Craig O'Flynn: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4A9IOw0-Ec

For an in depth biography of Namsak, check out this article by Rob Cox: http://news.axkickboxing.com/article?id=264

Fight Video: Namkabuan Nongeepayahut VS Nuanthoranee Thongraja

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D2OqtWrlDA&feature=channel_page

Championship fight between 2 rivals who have met in the ring twice before this. Nuanthoranee is now supposedly one of K-1 MAX golden boy Masato's trainer.

This fight has a nice variety of techniques...elbows, knees, punching and kicks; it's all in here.

Saenchai Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CI4Is3Na_Es&feature=channel_page

For your entertainment: Here's a video on Saenchai showcasing some of his unorthodox techniques, as well as two other fighters.

If you weren't there, Kru suggested a few months back to check Saenchai out. As you can tell, he's incredibly tricky and talented. With his footwork and timing, he is considered to be the pound for pound best Nakmuay in Thailand.

Youtube any of his fights, and you'll see he pretty much goofs around and throws flashy moves without taking too much damage. It's not a fighting style that many can pull off...but I personally see that as a testament to his talent and mastery of basic techniques.

Sparfest Update

There is an upcoming spar fest at Kombat Arts on the 28th of February. Spar Fest is basically a hard sparring get together, and one can do 1 or 2 or 3 rounds. It's set up sort of like fights, but there's no winner or loser and it's friendly competition.


Kru coaching Arash at the last spar fest

Different people from different gyms will be there. So far we have a couple guys going to represent us. If you are interested in supporting you are welcome to come. Also, if you want to participate, you should speak to Kru to see if you are ready.

Note: this is also the same day as the Blue Shorts testing. However, the test will take place in the morning and Spar fest will be during the afternoon. Also, class on that day is looking to be cancelled, and the made up on another day

Fight Video: Nung Ubon vs. Valdet Gashi

Just a fight I thought I'd share from the The Champions Club promotion in Germany.

Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJsJjL6KhB4

Nung Ubon (36 years old) is a veteran of the ring who has, among his achievements, multiple stadium belts and a win against Saenchai Sor Kingstar.
For more info on Nung: http://www.the-championsclub.com/magazin/artikel.php?artikel=163&menuid=22&topmenu=0



For more about TCC events go to http://www.youtube.com/user/caplinb. Other choice fights are there, including Madsua vs Suakao, and Deisellek vs Alex Schmitt

Samart Payakaroon: fighter study

Here is the fighter Kru has suggested the fighters and the class look up: Samart Payakaroon. He is considered by many as the best muay thai fighter ever



Stats:
* 105 lb Champion of Lumpinee Stadium in 1980
* 108 lb Champion of Lumpinee Stadium in 1980
* 115 lb Champion of Lumpinee Stadium in 1981
* 126 lb Champion of Lumpinee Stadium in 1981

After watching Samart, you may have noticed his hand-skill and slipping are exceptional. You should know that in addition to his legendary muay thai career, Samart had a successful stint in boxing where he won the WBC featherweight title in 1986.

Here are a few links for you to look at (not too many...do your own research). Remember what Kru said: look for his timing, and his explosiveness from his seemingly calm manner.

Highlight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_L03D5fcyzc

Vs. Gilbert Ballantine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXO8i10wVjw (note: when I posted this I thought it was an earlier fight; apparently, Samart came out of retirement for this fight)

Vs. Shirato (one of his later fights): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Inz2dBS8rv0

These are some entertaining ones. But he has quite a few more fights online which might be better to study for different reasons. So be sure to check those out.

Blue Shorts Tests! The next one : February 28, 2009

Remember to speak to Kru and Poo Choi Lindor if you feel ready to take the test. And if you have already been approached by one of the instructors about it, start preparing yourself.



Here's a glimpse of YUMT @ Blue Shorts Tests of the past:

June 2008


Feb 2008


Nov 2007