Leaderboard

Two days ago after training I was doing some body work (my gym in Yangon opened up with some measures in place). My body and head were pretty sore after some tough sparring. I played around with tractor tires and I tried to lift and flip one overhead. But I lost balance, fell backwards smacked my head into the asphalt and then the tire smacked me in the face. I didn't lose consciousness and no amnesia. I have a lot of scrape wounds in my face and my nose was bleeding a lot but no back head wound, just a big bump. No nausea no sickness just dizziness and aches. The day after -just to be sure- I went to the hospital (had to go to three in total jeez) and a doc did a neurological examination checking reflexes and all that stuff. Nothing seemed to be wrong and they didn't feel the need for a scan as I had no symptoms of inner swelling. It was a nasty hard blow but I doubt I even had a concussion. Anyhow, I rested one day and thought I would do some light swimming today. Unfortunately I have to work although thinking feels overwhelming a bit. Since fighters are the best to ask about these stuff, any advice on how to get back into training? What to think about? I feel so stupid getting injured like that first day back...

I've written before about my theory that Phra Pirap arguably is the god of Muay Thai. There is no such officially designated god, but there is no doubt to me that this deity figure powerfully combines the elements that distinguish Muay Thai from many contemporary forms of combat sport fighting, and is in that way a protector for a call to preserve those precious elements that may very well be lost to globalizing modernity. What I wrote a few years ago: "There is a small holy statuette that sits on a mantel in our apartment. It is a bronze-looking figure of a man, a warrior, posed with a spear pointed upward at a diagonal across his body, and with the other hand near the spearpoint he holds a bouquet of green. His face is that of a demon. His body that of an athlete. He is a little known god, much debated in niche circles, Phra Pirap. He as I understand it is a kind of god of war and battle, but mostly is known as the god of dance, the one that leads the arts. At his left hand come together both the spear point and the bouquet. This the unfathomable combination of what makes up Muay Thai in Thailand. For us in the west there is a fundamental division in how we parse the world. There is the "real" and the "unreal". In Thailand these two things come together to braid into something else. People looking at fights want to say "that's a fake fight!" or "that's a 'real' fight!". What makes them real or unreal are supposedly the intention of the actors. But because Muay Thai is an art, and not only a sport, these things come together. It is ultimately both dance and violence. The reason for this is timing. Phra Pirap happens also to be the god of timing. Of finding the perfect moment. Nietzche made a big deal of this in Beyond Good and Evil. In Greek there are two important fundamental kinds of Time. Chronos is circular time, the time of the seasons. Kairos is the time of the moment, the perfect moment to act. Kairos makes an incision in Chronos. Phra Pirap is the god of Kairos. This is why he is god of the dance. This is why the Muay Thai of Thailand is both real and unreal. It carries the power of artifice into the world of the "real" of violence, to steer it. It recognizes the moment of change, and therefore may spend much of its time in the realm of the fake, the performed. It is steering the cooling schedule of the steel, when all the molecules are afloat and changing their positions. In the west we only think of linear time. For us the "real" of fighting is merely the degree of "heat" in a fight, and the application of force of one body against other bodies. In Muay Thai, for Phra Pirap, it is the point in the circle when real change can happen, it is the art of taking hold of that change and shaping it to a valued outcome. It is where the spearpoint and the bouquet come together." - original context here Some years on I reflect back upon how much I've come to believe this. It's why Muay Thai krus will urge you over and over "timing", "timing", "timing". Or, why legends will praise Samart's genius as found in his "eyes". The god itself appears to be a syncretic fusion of two gods, one related to the destructive powers of Shiva (hence the spear, perhaps), an emanation of Shiva, the other is the presiding god of Dance and Music, of performance. One of the conundrums that westerners face when trying to really delve into the intensity of Thai Muay Thai is how much the aesthetics of scoring in face relate to performing postures, senses of timing, playing narrative themes in a round or across rounds. These are the art of the sport. We in the west, especially the era of MMA's demystification of Kung-Fu and Karate bullshido, versions, experience the term "art" much in the vain of artifice. Something unreal. Something just surface. What traditional ring Muay Thai embodied though, I believe, are the affective potentials of performance, the unconscious fathoms of what a fighter can draw out far, far beyond "perfect" technique, or practices patterns. This, I sense, is the power of where Phra Pirap reigns.

From Googling about several sources suggest that the benefits may come from the idea that ketone energy requires less chemical steps, than the burning of glucose, some of that making it a favored choice during strain. But yes Alzheimer's too. I imagine also that autophagy, clearing out damaged cells, may also help.

Yeah it's how it is with health care here... Yeah it was outside, so basically like concrete. I'm still a bit shocked it went as well as it did.

I found this all very interesting. I really want to learn more about what gods are worshipped in Thailand and how animalism is incorporated. Thai Buddhist’s worship Hindi gods? I want To understand the magic they speak of and knowing about the different Sak Yants and Amulets. it feels so much like a mystery to me, and hidden information. any suggestions for reading materials or documentaries?

....God... The first doc that said to get the MRI scan but then the referred place denied you... That's fucked up. Hate to be the hypochondriac kind of person who overreacts, but did you say you went down on an asfalt floor? Does that mean like, concrete or something softer

Oh if it was a Thai hospital and they said MRI not necessary they were probably pretty sure as my experience is they are happy to do any tests. My injury happened during the evening and although I almost lost balance in the shower afterwards,because of night curfew and that I felt ok, it felt better waiting until the morning. I tend to hold my breath when I get nervous and with the face mask I think some of the dizziness came from lack of oxygen. My trainer went with me for translation and the first doc at a Thai affiliated hospital (SML) told me I definitely needed a scan and neurosurgeon. She referred me to SSC. At that place they wouldn't let me in, got concerned I'm a foreigner even though I have 0 travel history since January. Eventually they sent us off saying I should find a different hospital, because they didn't have the specialist I needed available right now. So my trainer called one of his students who is a doctor who told me I don't need a specialist right away but a general practitioner can do the first check. So I went to a private hospital (Parami which has good reputation). Triage area was outside under a little tent. And then the doc (not a specialist) asked a lot of questions also questions like where I am and so on. He did the touch nose touch finger things, I had to close my eyes and tell him where I felt a tickle, he checked my neck for stiffness or looseness, checked my smell, pupils, I had to do a lot of gesture things with my hands and he also explained very well what and why he checked this and that. All in all it was very similar to neurological checks I've done in Europe. Right now I feel a bit like I wear a helmet forehead pain and neck pain. But ok and thinking doesn't exhausts me like the day after.

Yeah, I'm not sure what to add to what Kevin said, since he's speaking from our shared experience with this. I'd say pay very close attention to any symptoms that might develop after the fact and, even if you don't have dizziness, fogginess, headaches, or anything like that to still be very cautious in resuming anything that rattles your brain. So, no sparring with head punches and see whether or not hitting a heavy-bag causes any kind of discomfort to that area of your head (from the impact, obviously not from contact). Maybe increase Omega 3 fats in your diet to help your brain heal as well, knowing that it took a shock even if you don't have any concussion symptoms.

That's a great thing to be doing, being part of the effort to help And no way...a shower slip doesn't compare - you landed on concrete with a tire on your face. You win this one You might have even earned the right to be selfish and take another day or 2 days rest. But your call if course

Hey thanks so much. Yeah it hurt so much but ok..stitches from slipping in the shower sounds more painful. I could get time off work, but I'm involved in the country's covid response activities so it's more my own choice.

God that sounds horrible... and especially on a rock hard floor like that. Can you not get more time off work from your boss? You got hospital receipts for evidence. Never had anything like that from muay thai, only slipped in the shower once and then head crashed on the side wall tiles. Stitches and pain, so rested at home after. Feel better soon

I've noted recently this combination of finesse and venom in the way the "Top 5" lists are defended by the incredible fighters who are listing them. Samart has such beautiful technique, he has everything, he could fight both Muay Thai and Boxing (interestingly, he had way more KOs in boxing than in Muay Thai). Dieselnoi was powerful, but he also had all the weapons, he had an array of knees. It's the combination that puts them at the top. Others are kind of mentioned as excelling at the art aspect; none are awarded a top slot for power alone. But it's the combination that is what makes the best the best, it seems. I also maybe don't know how much my own thoughts influence how I hear this, but in the praise of "ning" fighters it's that they LOOK unaffected, not that they ARE unaffected. The "oi" that is called out from the crowd is proof of the power of a fighter, regardless of what the response of the opponent is. We believe it hurts, but if the opponent acts like it doesn't, we believe his supernatural powers.

The Thai news right now is suggesting June 15th. Obviously that's not written in ink in any way at all and the government here changes things all the time and last minute. There are talks of promotions at Lumpinee and Rajadamnern beginning the weekend after the 15th of June, which means it will be televised but with no audience. They call it "the New Normal." It's the same date as opening gyms, which makes no sense at all. Some things are opening up earlier than was previously projected (malls, for example). Muay Thai is a big market in terms of tourism, so they certainly want them open, but it will also hinge on when international travel is opened up again. Lots of variables. But as of this moment, June 15th is the projection.

If you feint. You are performing. If you have rhythm. You are performing. If you do not flinch when hit. You are performing.

Hey all, I thought I would share my recent rescue (I rescue Australian wildlife in my spare time) We got a call last night about an Echidna who was hit by a car and who needed to be be taken to the hospital (Steve Irwin's Wildlife hospital if anyone is a fan) Anyway, this little animal was tough as nails! it decided to burrow itself into the dirt (this is how they defend themselves) It took my partner and I over an hour of digging and manoeuvring to pick her up and to take her for treatment and to be checked over by the doctors. This little creature had "clinched" itself into the ground so strongly it was like trying to lift a tree stump out of the ground!!!!! As rescuers we get to name the animal... I decided to call it Sylvie! I think It's only fitting... it's little, very strong and good at clinching LOL So, little Sylvie has now been cleared with just minor injuries, a few scratches and small damage to the spikes, so so lucky. She will be released back into the wild in the next few days!

I go with a Suunto 5 sports watch and a Polar 10 chest strap. I use the strap when training muay thai, as I feel the watch gets in the way.

Just as a part of history and reference, this was a published career fight record for Samart Payakaroon, photographed. You can see my translation of the years 1980-1982 available to the public, on my Patreon. These are hi-res photos so you should be able to zoom in. There are some errors in dates in this published version, I believe, maybe typos.

Here we go . 1973 : 1. win by decision Petcharoon Sitnimith , in Chonburi on the 24th December 1973 . 1974 ( in chronological order ) : 2. win by decision Saekson Janjira , in Pattaya on the 4th of January 1974 . 3. win by KO in round 1 Saekson Janjira , in Banglamong on the 19th January 1974 . 4. win by decision Chawrith Sitprapom , in Banglamong on the 27th January 1974 . 5. lose by decision Saenkanong Sitkruchip , in the commercial center on the 31th January 1974 . 6. lose by decision Thongdeg Sor. Lackana , in Banglamong on the 25th of February 1974 . 7. win by decision Kenoi Latsamijan , in Banglamong on the 13th of March 1974 . 8. win by decision Thongdeg Sor Lackana , in Banglamong on the 29th of March 1974 . 9. draw against Chatchai Na. Bankrod , in Banglamong on the 16th of April 1974 . 10. win by decision Chawrith Sitprapom , in Banglamong on the 15th of May 1974 . 11. lose by decision Thongdeg Sor. Lackana , in Banglamong on the 31th of July 1974 . 12. win by decision Pandeg Sor. Nuanhanan , in Petchburi on the 19th of August 1974 . 13. lose by decision Thai Looksamet , in the commercial center on the 3th of September 1974 . 14. win by decision Bangklanoi Sor Thanikhul , in Banglamong on the 16th of October 1974 . 15. win by decision Singdam Lookhinnawong , in Pattaya on the 21th of November 1974 . 16. win by KO in round 4 Chatchai Na. Bankrod , in Banglamong on the 9th December 1974 . 1975 ( Not in chronological order , dates are wrong but the placement is wrong ) : 17. lose by decision Thai Looksamet , in Banglamong on the 10th of January 1975 . 18. win by decision Chawrith Sitprapom , in Banglamong on the 20th of February 1975 . 19. win by KO in round 1 Chawrith Wor Youpalath , in Banglamong on the 7th of August 1975 . 20. win by decision Ayduan Hatari , in Banglamong on the 30th of September 1975 . 21. win by decision Bangsai Sitsaithong , in Rayong on the 12th of November 1975 . 22. win by decision Thongchainoi Sitkrulam , in Banglamong on the 8th December 1975 . 23. lose by decision Thongchainoi Sitkrulam , in Petrui on the 2th January 1975 . 24. lose by decision Thai Looksamet , in the commercial center on the 28th March 1975 . 25. win by KO in round 2 Kao Sor. Bantchongsak , in the province of Trat on the 17th August 1975 . 26. win by decision Petchmani Lookbanlao , in the province of Trat on the 10th of December 1975 . 27. win by KO in round 4 Panetchone Lookbanprao , in the district of Lat Phrao ( Bangkok ) on the 27th October 1975 . 28. win by decision Pinchai Singbanlao , in Bangklai ( Bangkok ) on the 11th of December 1975 . 29. win by decision Chawrith Sitprapom , in Prapadaeng ( Bangkok ) on the 29th February 1975 . 30. lose by decision Bangklanoi Sor Thanikhul , in Samrong ( Bangkok ) on the 5th May 1975 . 31. win decision Koukong Sor. Sawangtith , in Banglamong on the 31th of August 1975 . 32. win by KO in round 3 Thanoukranong Latsaminaga , in the province of Trat on the 20th of September 1975 . 33. win by decision Surasak Sakpraseurt , in the province of Trat on the 4th October 1975 . 34. win by KO in round 3 Thaksin Lookkraosaming , in the province of Trat on the 26th October 1975 . 35. win by KO in round 3 Uangfah Sittrangloig , in Chanthaburi on the 20th of November 1975 . 36. win by KO in round 1 Pounsak Sitworawath , in Trat on the 4th of December 1975 . 37. win by KO in round 2 Somyoth Lookchaomai , in Trat on the 11th December 1975 . 38. win by decision Chamnaseuk Na. Pattaya , in Bangklai on the 19th January 1975 . 39. win by decision Tchongdi Srisopa , in Ayutthaya on the 10th February 1975 . 1976 ( in order ) : 40. win by decision Koukong Sor. Sawangtith , in Samrong on the 2th of January 1976 . 41. win by KO in round 2 Sama-air Sitsamrith , in Nakhon Ratchasima on the 7th January 1976 . 42. win by KO in round 2 Nomtanong Sitsaengsawang , in Kantchanaburi on the 19th February 1976 . 43. win by KO in round 1 Pornsawan Sitsuwan , in Nakhon Ratchasima on the 12th July 1976 . 44. win by KO in round 1 Payak Lookmakramkou , in Pattaya on the 3th March 1976 . 45. win by decision Awout Sor. Thanikhul , in Phitsanulok on the 10th August 1976 . 46. win by decision Pongkramnoi Sor. Kingstar , in the province of Roi Et on the 30th October 1976 . 47. win by KO in round 3 Chattamin Sithpratana , in the province Kalasin on the 1st of December 1976 . 1977 ( in order ) : 48. win by decision Saksuriya Fairtex , in Nakhon Pathom on the 24th January 1977 . 49. win by decision Sittichai Sanangym , in Kreg on the 19th March 1977 . 50. win by decision Sittichai Sitrungrath , in Nikom on the 20th of June 1977 . 51. win by KO in round 3 Cheugchai Sithseri , in Banbung on the 4th August 1977 . 52. lose by decision Payom Chokchaisith , in Chai Nat on the 13th December 1977 . 1978 ( in order ) : 53. lose by decision Leungchai Thairungruang , in Chonburi on the 18th January 1978 . 54. lose by decision Thaninoi Saknilan , in Chanthaburi on the 1st February 1978 . 55. win by decision Jokceynoi Por. Muang U-bon , in Chanthaburi on the 19th February 1978 . 56. win by decision Maewnoi Singtchakawan , in Samrong on the 2st March 1978 . 57. lose by decision Awout Sor. Thanikhul , in Nonthaburi on the 27th March 1978 . 58. win by KO in round 4 Kiatwiwath Lookchaimai , in Rayong on the 3st of April 1978 . 59. win by KO round 3 Sampownoi Janjira , in Ratburi on the 15th of April 1978 . 60. win by KO in round 2 Pornchai Sithaosing , in Pong on the 23th of April 1978 . 61. win by decision Gakao Sitchuchai , in Samyan on the 5th of May 1978 . 62. lose by decision Thaninoi Sakniran , in Lumpini stadium on the 23th of May 1978 . 63. win by decision Aunhain Lookbanplai , in Mae Hong Son on the 3th of July 1978 . 64. win by decision Saengpetch Sor. Wongsiam , in Chanthaburi on the 20th July 1978 . 65. win by decision Payakmok Surakosang , in Rajadamnern on the 6th of August 1978 . 1979 ( not in chronological order , dates are right but the placement is wrong ) : 66. win by decision Sichanglek Look KM-16 , in Rajadamnern on the 20th of November 1979 . 67. win by KO in round 1 Praseurtsak Singthapraya , in Alan Yapratheth on 2th December 1979 . 68. draw Sichanglek Look KM-16 , in Lumpini on the 30th December 1979 . 69. win by decision Chawrith Sitprapom , Alan Yaprathet 1 January 1979 . 70. win by decision Sichanglek Look KM-16 , in Lumpini on the 13th February 1979 . 71. draw against Paruadlek Sitchonthong , in Lumpini on the 25th of February 1979 . 72. win by decision Saksuriya Fairtex , in Radjadamern on the 23th of March 1979 . 73. no-contest ( fired his opponent ) Supakiet Aikyothin , in Lumpini on the 20th of April 1979 . 74. lose by decision Jampathong Na. Nonthachai , in Lumpini on the 8th of June 1979 . These are from the two pages , there's still 2 more to do . BTW this took me so much time and thinking as i've figured out how the placement was wrong so it was a mindfuck .

I'm working with Polar devices, using chest strap + app during training and a sports watch in general and for biking and I'm pretty fine with that! For me it's more the monitoring effect than to stick to some advices. Of course main aspect is my training and technique, than all these stats, but still it's interesting to see how values develop.

I absolutely use it to train. My technique (with kicks and knees especially) is so much better after being able to see how Thai legends do it. My favourite are the clinch videos because I really want to get good at it. I just try to learn one or two things each time and practice them with my training partner.

Years 1980-1982 translated in this article 1980 February 11- Kongsamut Sor Thanikul, Lumpinee (win, points) wins the 102 lb Lumpine belt March 14 - Parahatlek Sitchuntong, Pattaya (win points) March 28 - Sonsil Sit Nernpayong, Lumpinee (win points) April 29 - Gongsamut Sor Thanikul, Lumpinee (win points) March 28 (sic) - Somsaknoi Aekyotin, Lumpinee (opponent/fight cancelled) April 29 (sic) - Prappirpop Lookklangdon, Lumpinee (win, points) June 6 - Parahatlek Sitchuntong, Lumpinee (win, points) June 27 - Bangklanoi Sor. Thanikul, Lumpinee (loss, points) August 8 - Chamuakpet Fairtex, Lumpinee (loss, points) - loses the 102 lb Lumpinee Belt September 5 - Jampatong Dornontachai, Lumpinee (opponent/fight cancelled) September 23 - Bangklanoi Sor. Thanikul, Lumpinee (win, points) October 14 - Numan Sit Pohluang, Lumpinee (win, points) November 11 - Punlap Sit Niran, Lumpinee (win, points) - 108 lb Lumpinee belt December 12 - Chamuakpet Hapalang, Lumpinee (win, points) 1981 January 13 - Punlap Sit Niran, Lumpinee (win, points) March 31 - Singtong Prasopchai, Lumpinee (win, points) - wins 115 lb Lumpinee belt April 28 - Fanluang Looksadejmaepuangtong, Lumpinee (win, points) - it would be voted the Fight of the Year June 9 - Mafuang Weerapol, Lumpinee (win, points) September 4 - Paruhat Lohngern, Lumpinee (win, points) October 12 - Samingnoom Sit Boondam, Lumpinee (win, points), wins 126 lbs Lumpinee belt November 9 - Gitti Sor. Thanikul, Rajadamnern (win, points) 1982 January 15 - Nongkhai Sor Prahpatson, Lumpinee (win, points) March 12 - Padejsuk Pitsanurachan, Rajadamnern (win, points) May 10 - Padejsuk Pitsanurachan, Rajadamnern (win, points) August 24 - Netnoi Sor Wansing, Lumpinee (win, points) - his first pro boxing fight December 24 - Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn (loss, points)

This is good advice. I'm sure these are very useful. Im not using anything though, maybe ankle protectors I place on my shins instead. Since I do laser treatments on my legs I'm a bit reluctant to try the apple cider vinegar potion @Sylvie mentioned. Afraid it will burn. I'm slowly being conditioned. And I love sparring tough and getting used to train with pain especially since I do not have any current upcoming fight opportunities. But recently a new trainer came to my gym. He's from Myanmar but spent a lot of time in Thailand and I watched him shadow (he's probably close to 70) and it was such a beautiful muay that came out of it. I realised he spoke Thai so we could communicate and he showed me a lot of beautiful moves and he did not want to block at all. Instead he just backed up, ducked, used head movements which looked so elegant. So I've been trying that a lot which of course limits shin on shin impact. He also did not want me to spar hard rather learn moving the body. Nevertheless I love being able to learn pain through training. So I'll do both styles.