I saw this posted on her Facebook page of Chantal Ughi (World Champion Muay Thai fighter living and fighting in Bangkok).
There are 3 types of Thai trainers in Thailand:
1. the ones who only make you tired on 10 kicks, 20, 30,say good to people even when they kick like shit and teach you 0 technique, (Phuket tourist type),
2. the combination technique/power ones who correct you fairly, teach you 5-6 different new techniques, hit you and kick you back occasionally, treat you like a buddy even if you don’t go out with them, (many gyms average) n.
3 rare gems the fighter’s trainers who actually behave like an opponent in the ring and not a pad holder, who hit you back constantly, throw you off balance , care about your footwork step and hips turning and get mad if you don’t do it….and when you kick their pads your kicks don’t sound amazing but real…
I’ve encountered this myself and, based on the comments she’s received over the past days, these three types exist everywhere. You can still get a lot out of the first two types of trainers – they’re not a waste of time by any means – but the trainer who pushes you by making you work to even be performing the basics well… that’s a wonderfulfight trainer. I loved her additional thought that your kicks won’t sound great (that’s a pad trick, really) but that they’re real.
The picture above is me training with Andy two years ago when I first trained at Lanna. He was one of the first trainers who I ever met who fit that final description. I’m almost always off balance, missing openings, or struggling to stay off my heels so that I can take a flurry of strikes from him and throw something back. It’s never easy, but it’s always rewarding and I know it makes me a better fighter.
I said to Chantal:
Those amazing “fighter’s trainers” should be rewarded with gold; it’s too bad their recognition can’t be greater, but recognition from their fighters is certainly a wonderful start.
