Students are sure to get a kick out of the latest club to be started on the campus.

Called Muay Thai (the art of Thailand) Kickboxing, the club teaches its members discipline, respect, courage and self-defense.

Suriyau and Suriya Makrom, known on campus as � Jay and Joey,� started the club in September. They have trained and practiced in Muay Thai kickboxing for more than 15 years, adopting the sport from their father at the age of five. Their father has been both a trainer and a promoter.

Jay and Joey have competed in tournaments with their father guiding them. �We won some [fights] and we lost some� said Jay, �but we learned from every fight.� �Muay Thai is for everybody,� Jay said. Everyone can benefit from Muay Thai, no matter what your age or sex. According to Joey, �Muay Thai will make you a better person,� because, �[the] heart of Muay Thai is self-defense, discipline, confidence and respect.�

Both stressed the fact that Muay Thai has the ability to build the confidence and self-esteem of any person.

�By knowing and understanding [Muay Thai], one will be able to avoid physical contact in the event of a fight,� said Jay.

The main goal of Muay Thai is to teach confidence in the field of self-defense and through confidence, one will be able to talk oneself out of an actual street fight. Muay Thai is considered an ancient art, an art of self-defense that should only be used in the ring or when one is assaulted physically and no words will resolve the matter.

Club meetings are held on Mondays from 1:30 to 3 p.m. and on Wednesdays and Fridays from 2 to 4p.m. in front of the Greek Theater. The club currently has more than 20 members and encourages more people to join. �We need more women to participate,� said Joey. The club has only five women in its ranks so far.

Due to that fact that the Muay Thai club was just recently established, lack of funds is keeping members from acquiring the necessary equipment.

To resolve this situation the club is planning fundraisers such as a local car wash every other Sunday. The members are also encouraged to give, a non-mandatory, $5 donation once a month to help buy supplies.

�We need the money to purchase equipment such as punching bags...so that in the future we can compete in tournaments against other clubs.� said Jay. Students interested in joining or just learning more about the club are invited to attend the meetings in the Greek Theater.

For more information e-mail [email protected]

SBVC�s newspaper: �The Arrowhead�
URL: http://www.sbvcarrowhead.com/main.cfm?include=detail&storyid=177931