Two More Muay Thai Pointers

1. Attack the side where opponent kicks
Just a tip.. if the kick comes from your left, check it with ur left shin and return him with two kicks. This works on the principle that the kicker will not be fast enough to check your kick upon recovering.

2. Principle of Muay Thai Fighting
According to George, every martial arts have their own principle of striking. For example, the principle of an MT's elbow is to cut the opponent. Not to knock them out. Also, for Muay Thai's stance the weaker leg and hand is in the front. These is to 'scare' the opponent whereas the stronger hand/leg is to be savored for a sweet knock out. Every martial art has different principle.. What is Tae Kwon Do's? Keeping the distance with the legs?

Learning to use my artilleries

With recognition from Shihan and other peers, i can say that my skills and fitness in muay thai has reached the next level. I can now punch and kick hard and sustain it almost to the end of the training. But.. all these are pad works.. all these are my artilleries, i need to use them during sparring..

What happened was, i was very comfortable sparring people around my height. I can just my arti just right.. but when i meet ppl taller than me by a head or so.. i am helpless.. at least i felt helpless.. the following are what Shihan George advise me the following:

• should wait for them to attack. Counter and rain combinations
• my best counter will be push-kicks or check kicks to their thighs
• After raining my combos, should run away (sideways) so that they cannot catch me
• Move around alot.. they are bigger, so they tired out faster
• Do not take all the kicks.. not good to block cos they are much stronger
  

I shall go for more sparring session to build up my speed and all. =)

Ps: Its confirmed i'm a yellow singlet!

Results for Grading

During my last post, i mentioned about going for Titans Muay Thai blue singlet grading. Today, i went to dojo for training and try my luck to see if the results were out.. I look under blue singlet and i can't find my name. For a moment i thought i failed. I then look higher.. and saw my name under yellow singlet. For a moment i was shocked.. I ask the reception if they have made a mistake as i went for the blue singlet grading, not the yellow one. The receptionist said that you have been double graded! that means you have did well during the grading. I was very very happy!! I was so motivated that i ran straight into the training area and started skipping.. i felt recognised...

Then the trainer today was Shihan George. I was so happy to see him.. so happy that i wanted to thank him personally.. but i saw another light.. i was the most senior in the class now.. hmm.. with not brown or green singlet around.. i am the most senior! hmm.. must really maintain a certain standard.. no slacking from now onwards!!

My Second Muay Thai Grading

This morning, woke up early.. and got myself ready for my blue singlet grading (i.e. i going for blue singlet). Had my breakfast... and cycled to MMA.. was feeling excited.. for this time, i am not sick.. and i think i am prepared for it.

When i reached there, i changed in my red singlet and prepared to warm up.. Not really that much red singlet as i would expect cos there was like 30 white singlets the last grading? Think a lot of them dropped out after the grading ba..

Anyway.. the grading started with encouraging words from Chief Instructor and it was on its way..My skipping was bad.. i must admit that i have been late for classes and therefore, I haven't been skipping alot.. then came the kicks.. was alright.. but legs' still sore from thursday's training.. punching segment was alright, except that i couldn't really understand what the guy was calling.. stamina was more of an endurance.. oh.. I was holding pads for this blue singlet from another dojo... he was really guai lan.. questioned my ability to hold my pads.. was correcting here and all.. and was frustrated that i did not hold properly.. talking about other dojos.. they are like they are living in their own world.. eating lollies during breaks, came late and all.. my turn to show them some colours.. SPARRING TIME!

Din do extremely well.. but manage to pack a punch or kick to their face.. nearly hooked that blue singlet's face.. think some of the black singlets were impressed by my unconventional fighting style.. but oh well.. we are talking about muay thai here..

Grading ended at 1 (since 9) and i am tired with all the bruises.. shin injured,lips cut.. oh well.. that makes me feel more like a fighter.. =)

boxing match

I never tot in my life would i witness a boxing match... the wierdest part is .. its in australia.. and the astornishing part is - ringside. I see the boxers up close.. blood on their faces.. blood on their shins.. i am thinking of going for the next amatuer fight next year.. while.. its sorta of well protected all round.. =) so it can knee and be knee at a reduced impact.. its quite an experience thou.. seeing how the professional putting the techniques thru.. The best part is - my instructor is inside!


my instructor doing ceremonial dance


he in action


prayers to the corner of the ring


back to the corner

Clinching

Clinching is one good technique that was practice today. U supposed to lock opponent's head and prevent him from doing tt to you. Pivot on your elbows, therefore, both of ur arms should be inside of his. Swing him to make him fall, or to knee him.

I was shorter than the guy.. so heres a few tips:
-stand tall, look up (tip toe if need be)
-bear hug and throw him if necessary








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Kneeing

Today's lesson was tiring.. Longest combination was: Jab-cross-left uppercut-right cross -right kick - left kick - right elbow -3 x knee..

Also, Mick and Ross stayed back and taught me how to knee properly.. must swing your knee inwards.. like cocked-knee and then swing.. also, have to skip a little.. =)