A quick recap of our trip to Thailand:
Grandmaster Toddy has trained numerous UFC, MMA and Muay Thai Champions in England, America and Thailand. Some of the athletes he has trained include Randy Couture (Former UFC Champion and Actor), Forrest Griffin (Former UFC Champion and Ultimate Fighter Series 1 Winner), Tito Ortiz (Former UFC Champion and MMA Pioneer), Bob Sapp (MMA Star, Actor and Former NFL Player) and Gina Carano (First International Womens Muay Thai Champion and Actress). At the conclusion of Term 4, Master Joe and Master Chris travelled to Thailand with a small group of 6 students to train in Muay Thai with Grandmaster Toddy and his team.
Arriving to our rooms after 3am Monday morning, we had a quick nap before making our way down for our first session. Eager to start we were all dressed and ready before 7am waiting to begin. Monday to Friday we would train 1.5-2 hours in the morning, and an additional 1.5-2 hours in the evening. Master Joe and Master Chris would also train an additional 6 hours practicing other Thailand arts such as Krabi Krabong (Thai Weapon Training) and Muay Boran (Ancient Muay Thai). On Saturday we participated in a 2 hour morning session, and all of our students participating in 2 hour Private sessions.
By the end of the week our students had proven to be hard working. We were the first ones ready and often the last ones to leave. Our students were the first to enter the ring ready for Pad Training every session. Never did they complain or act in a negative manner. Master Toddy and his team were pleased not only with our students, but with how his system was being implemented at JAI.
At the conclusion of the week, Master Joe and Master Chris were both graded and awarded their Ajarn in Muay Thai under the Muay Thai International Association (MTIA – the ONLY Muay Thai Program accredited by the Thai Government). The presentation was held in front of Grandmaster Toddy, Thai Officials and MMA Star Bob Sapp who was preparing for his New Years Eve fight in Thailand.
Muay Thai is truly alive at JAI!