Kaewsamrit Gym Kaewsamrit gym -Founded in 1992,it rapidly has made a name for itself as one of the top training camps in Thailand.In 2001 it was runner up to Por Pramuk gym for gym of the year and in 2002 Kaewsamrit recieved the award of gym of the year after getting 19 of the 22 votes on offer. Kaewsamrit gym was founded by Srimuang Singsuanngern,an ex boxer of over 100 fights experience.He wasn't a big name fighter,but got the chance to fight abroad in Japan and work there as a trainer.When he came back to Thailand,he went to work in the south of Thailand and also trained some fighters there.It was there he found his first champion Kriekchai Sor Ketalingchan.He took Kriekchai to train at sor Ketalingchan gym and in 1990 he became Lumpini stadium 105 pounds champion.Two years later Srimuang opened his own camp and took Kriekchai with him. Kaewsamrit gym is situated across the river from bangkok in Talingchan district.It is a small gym set up in the front of two houses on opposite sides of a small lane.There are 26 boxers,4 trainers and one massuer all living there,along with Srimuang and his wife.It is run like a family with everyone helping each other out,unlike some of the big gym's in Bangkok which are run like a big buisness.Srimuang's wife does all the cooking,with help from the boxer's.From a small location,they have produced some very good fighters,in a relatively short space of time.
Left-right Anuwat Kaewsamrit,Watcharachai Kaewsamrit and Khunpinit Kiatawaan. Anuwat is 22 years old and former Rachadamneon champion at Miniflyweight,Juniorbantamweight and Featherweight. Watcharachai is 23 years old and was Thailand champion at Superbantamweight,Wmtc champion at Bantamweight and Ratchadamneon champion at featherweight. Khunpinit is 24 years old and former Lumpini champion at Flyweight and Juniorfeatherweight. These 3 boxers are 3 of the current stars of the Thailand fight scene,but each has his own distinct style with there training planned to suite this. Anuwat is probably the most dangerous MuayThai Fighter in Thailand today,with devastating punching power.Khunpinit is a strong walk forward style of fighter who likes to use his grapple and knee work.Watcharachai is a very technical fighter who relys on his speed and skill. Having limited space the training is often staggered.With some of the fighters boxing on television in the day time,they get to train first to get used also to the earlier fight time. The training consists of a 12 Kilometre morning run followed by bag and pad work and conditioning exercises.A smaller run in the afternoon with more pad work and bagwork and clinch work.The boxers have to train if they have a fight coming up or not,but the intensity increases before fight time,with the pads routine being 6*5 min rounds of everything and 2*5 rounds of just hands before a fight. Every bit of space is utilized,with the boxers not going through there pad drill's and bag work,doing light technical sparring in the lane between the house's and everyone works together with the top fighters taking the time to pass on their knowledge to the younger up and coming boxers. In addition to fighting,Srimuang encourages his boxers to get an education,as they can't be certain that they will be able to become top level fighters and they have something to fall back on when they retire.He discourages them from gambling and teach's them the value of saving their money.Drinking and smoking and drugs are forbidden.Every boxer must be in bed by 2130 hrs as getting the right amount of rest is vital,when they follow such a hard training regime. The way most of the gym's work here,is a fighter with potential is brought to the gym at a young age and lives trains and eats at the gym.When they start to make money the purse gets split 50-50 between the boxer and the camp owner.Most gyms stick to this,but Srimuang often gives them the whole purse after title challenges and defenses and doesn't take a big cut when the boxers get a tip from the gamblers.This gives the boxers added incentive to perform.He also wont let his boxers fight unless they are 100% saying he would rather throw money away than lose the good name of his gym. With several more up and coming boxers following in Anuwat,Watcharachai and Khunpinit's footsteps the future looks very bright indeed for Srimuang and Kaewsamrit gym. |
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