Kru Leigh Edlin, Paul Kirk & Luke Brooks – Thailand Trip
Story to follow…
Stepping out for Chao Phraya Muay Thai on Monday 11th November, Leigh Edlin will be fighting against a Thai opponent in Chiang Mai Thailand.
11th November 2013 Leigh Edlin (Lanna Muay Thai) v Cheulong (Chaiyang)
At the Liokroh Boxing Stadium (Chiang Mai)
Pictures so far!
From Kru Shaun Boland
For my Nak Rian, Nak Muay and friend…
Stepping out for Chao Phraya Muay Thai on Monday 11th November, Leigh Edlin will be fighting against a Thai opponent in Chiang Mai Thailand.
Leigh’s current record stands at 15 fights with a total of 13 wins (10 by KO) 1 loss 1 draw. He holds WMTO Midlands area, IKF English, IKF British, ISKA British, ISKA Commonwealth & ISKA European title belts and has fought Thai nationals twice before in Thailand winning both by KO.
Leigh has been my student, Fighter, senior instructor (For Chao Phraya & Chao Phraya Lincoln) and friend for over 11 years now and we have journeyed together through our training and passion, not just for Muay Thai , but in Thai History, culture and Buddhism.
As his teacher I am honoured and proud to have him as a student and as his friend I am equally honoured. I personally wish him Chok Dee (Good luck) for this fight (it is only the second time out of 15 that I have not been by his side for a fight).
I have written this and put up the photographs of our journey together so far, may we be blessed and continue our journey for many more years – With respect and heart felt love.
Kru Shaun is very pleased to be able to offer the following workshop
To be held in St. Ives Cambridgeshire on Saturday September 14th 2013.
‘How to score in Muay Thai’
Kru Shaun will be joined by Venit Kaewmala (Prathet) to run this 4 hour workshop. This will be an intensive course on correct and effective scoring techniques for Muay Thai competition benefiting both fighters and trainers and anyone who wishes to receive a better understanding of our sport. This will be a hands on workshop in addition to rules and regulations for Muay Thai scoring.
We will be covering the following:
1. Introduction
Muay Thai scoring criteria
2. How to effectively score using
Kicks
Knees
Elbows
Punches
Clinch
Off balancing
Trips
3. Scoring strategies (aggressive & defensive)
4. Fouls
Course details:
COURSE: How to score in Muay Thai COST: £30.00 DATE: Saturday 14th September 2013 TIMES: 12pm-4pm (approximate finish time) VENUE: St. Ives Boxing Club.
IBMTO Certificates of attendance will be presented upon completion.
(Please note this is not a Judging course)
DIRECTIONS TO COURSE VENUE:
Head for ‘The Dolphin Hotel’ London Road,St Ives,Cambs PE27 5EP
Leave the A14 at junction 26 between Cambridge and Huntingdon, taking the A1096 towards St Ives. At the first roundabout, turn left then immediately right into London Road. Continue for about half a mile and The Dolphin Hotel is on the left by the old river bridge. Please note that vehicles are not permitted to cross the old river bridge. You can park at the hotel and it is £1 for all day (pay as you leave).
Proceed to walk over the bridge (enjoy the view)and turn immediately right following the river front. Take the first left, which is opposite the boat ramp, and continue along the alley. After appx 50mtrs you will see a taxi rank on the right (A&B taxis) the boxing club is immediately to your left in line with the Taxi rank, proceed up the stairs to the gym.
Bring your own pens and note pads and any refreshments you may need. There are shops, café’s and restaurants in the town if required. Toilets are available on site.
Kongsak on the other hand is one of the hardest kicking Nak Muay around, should be an interesting match up.
His skill, and technique are really just on another level. Kongsak is an elite nak muay and looked as if he were on skates… Sanchai’s ability to sweep, misdirect and off balance his opponent is incredible.
Weigh in: 11am First fight starts at: 12pm Finishes:5pmFighters:60
All interclubs are regulated and there are no decisions on the fights. This enables the fighter to practice his technique and gain experience in the ring. There is a referee and timekeeper present throughout the fights.
Each fighter will receive a certificate and trophy.
Everyone is welcome to support on the day.
Instructors; please forward fighters details 1 week before the event and bring your own protective equipment.
Not sure if you have seen this yet. Thinking about watching something this weekend. This piece by Timo Ruge and Gerrit Staron, looks to be a beautifully shot documentary featuring Muay Thai Superstar Buakaw Banchamek. It looks to chronicle his rise to fame after K1 and his life post por.pramuk. You can view this film on Vimeo for £4.60 which is a great deal!!
ReleasedViewing period 48 hours Duration 47 mins Region Worldwide
I really did not expect to become the Champion. I just wanted to represent my country, Thailand, with honour.”
These are the words Sombat Banchamek, better known as “Buakaw”, uses to describe the day, that changed his life.
As a young boy he started to practice Thailand’s national sport “Muay Thai”, he won his first fight, stayed with the sport, battled his way through and finally shocked the world in July 2004, by winning the finale of the “K1 Max World Tournament”. Two years later he even repeated this success.
He started as one of many – today he is the most famous Muay Thai fighter of his country. The documentary “Buakaw – Boxer,Legend,Legacy” brings you closer than ever to Thailand’s national hero. It takes the audience on a fascinating journey: Painstaking training, opponents knocked out in the ring – mixed with the rice harvest in his rural home-village. A look back to his past victories. A look to the present. Buakaw as boxer, trainer, camp owner and family person. An outlook to the future. What happens after the last battle has been fought?
Just returned from Chao Phraya Lincoln after attending the Khrob Kru (teacherr) ceremony for Steven Johns. Since our humble beginnings 13 years ago Chao Phraya has only previously awarded 3 Kru grades: Kru Leigh Edlin, Kru James Khan & Kru Samir Hidalgo. The grade is not given away and has to be earned through many years of dedication, loyalty and hard work. So it was a great honour for me to watch the first person who I graded as Kru Leigh Edlin, to be giving his first Kru grading to his student. This is a very personal and significant ceremony between Kru (teacher) and Nak Rian (student). Congratulations Kru Steven Johns you are now a part of Chao Phraya Muay Thai’s heritage.
Hear Lincoln’s one and only Brian David Pawsey interviewed on Lincoln City Radio where he discusses his hobby: Muay Thai at Chao Phraya Muay Thai Academy!
CLICK BELOW To listen to Brian Pawsey’s interview on Lincoln City Radio
ISKA European Champion Leigh Edlin with his Chao Phraya Team of: Ajarn Parnpetch, Kru Yai Shaun Boland, Darren McFaul, Andy Thomson & Isaac Edlin.
This has been a very long journey for Lincoln’s most successful Thai Boxer, Leigh Edlin. Becoming the new European Champion is no easy feat, in fact it has taken over 4 month’s to organise and 4 months of training hard 6 days a week. He has travelled around the country to train with world champion fighters and trainers to ensure that he was in absolute top condition for the challenge.
Yogendra Parekh and Black Widow Martial Arts organised the Last Man Standing Event back in January of this year, creating a superb night of Muay Thai Boxing at the New Bingley Hall – Hockley in Birmingham on Saturday 13th April 2013.
Leigh’s dedication to Traditional Muay Thai is immense; juggling running the Chao Phraya Academy in Lincoln, a full-time job, a family, loosing his father in recent weeks as well as training for the European Title. Only confirms Leigh’s absolute passion for this sport and driving the ‘Art of eight limbs’ within the UK.
Leigh weighed in on the Friday at bang on 69kg before the fight and in his own words said “I’m in the best condition I have been before any fight”. As Leigh was introduced on Fight Night, it certainly showed… In peak condition as he entered the ring, he looked focused and confident.
With his highly regarded corner team of: Shaun Boland (club founder), Andy Thomson (renowned trainer from Thailand), Parnpetch Rirom (international Muay Thai legend) & Darren McFaul (performance specialist) you could tell straight away, this was going to be an epic battle… a battle where Edlin needed to be on top form and he certainly was. Controlling every round, not giving the Italian a second to think or even compose himself.
Leigh openly admits, his opponent Michele Botezatu took some of his best shots. Punches, kicks, knees and elbows that would have put many a fighter down and all credit to him for that. Being a very Traditional Muay Thai Fighter, gives you up most respect for your opponents and even though Leigh won every round on points, he was far from unscathed from the fight and needed stitches to repair cuts to his face after the fight.
Reflecting from the fight on Saturday night, takes a few days to sink in. That a fighter representing the Chao Phraya Academy in Lincoln has taken his sport to one of the very highest levels and succeeded. It’s only the battle scars and the European Title Belt that now remind us of this great feat Leigh has accomplished.
Whats next for Leigh Edlin… He now gets the time to spend with his family and friends that he has missed but Leigh is looking forward to working with his students at the Chao Phraya Academy. Pushing them to their physical limits; hoping to either improve fitness, confidence or maybe produce another Champion!
Then on the horizon, time and day job allowing, Leigh will be able to defend his Champion Status, with a high possibility of it being abroad. Then next, perhaps a shot at a World Title!!
Venue: The New Bingley Hall, Hockley in Brimingham.
LEIGH’S INFAMOUS ENTRANCE…
FIGHT PHOTOS
Leigh being crowned the New ISKA European Champion!
THE FIGHT VIDEOS
Leigh Posted on Facebook straight after the fight: “I would just like to say that I am astounded by the support that I have been given tonight. After having had one of the toughest years I can remember, with some real tough problems at work and then losing my dad recently, this is the boost I need. I can’t thank you all enough and I genuinely mean that. I have some VERY special friends 🙂 “
With well over 100 supporters from Lincoln and the Chao Phraya Academy, traveling to Birmingham to support Leigh’s fight!
ISKA European Title
Bring it on, like Donkey Kong!
Saturday 13th April 2013
WHO >>
Only one day to go, as Leigh Edlin prepares for his ISKA European Title Fight V Michele Botezatu (Italy). With the weight in today.
WHERE >>
At The New Bingley Hall, Hockley, Birmingham B18 5BE.
WHEN >>
Doors Open at 4.00PM / First Fight at 4.30PM
ONLY A FEW TICKETS LEFT >>
Call 07757 984266 to get your tickets now or inbox me for advance purchases, only a handful of tickets remain and maybe sold out before doors open!!
CHOK DEE >>
Everybody at The Chao Phraya Muay Thai Academy would like to wish our Kru Leigh Edlin, the very best of luck for tomorrow night! It will go off like Donkey Kong!!
Our very own training co-ordinator Ajarn Parnpetch Sithpaphom corning for one of the very best modern day Muay Thai Legend – Saenchai PK Saenchaimuaythaigym
Keep an eye out for him looking after Saenchai between Rounds…
Saenchai (born July 30, 1980), formerly known as Saenchai Sor. Kingstar (Thai: แสนชัย ส.คิงสตาร์) He won the Lumpinee Championship title in four different weight divisions, along with the WMC and WBC World titles, while mostly fighting above his natural weight; therefore he is considered one of the best pound for pound Muay Thai fighters in the world. Saenchai often gives up 5 lbs. + in weight to find worthy opponents in Thailand. Against foreigners the gulf in skill is so great he will go up as high as 147 pounds, which is 15+ pounds above his best weight. He is known for having excellent ring vision and speed.
Pictured: Kru Leigh Edlin, Kru Steven Johns & Senior Kru Shaun Boland
