At the beginning of each competition traditional MuayThai boxers dance. Enacting an ageless ritual, graceful in control of body and mind, every movement conveys a silent power that can never be matched by force. Accompanied by music of ancestral instruments the WaiKru ceremony completes a circle of a thousand years joining instructors and students.

MuayThai, the ancient Thai sport of self-defense, incorporates this philosophy of art form, music, and history, as vital parts of its training.

Its origins go back to the beginnings of Thai history and culture, where the sport began in hand to hand combat to defend the people of a fertile farming plane against habitual invaders.

Today interest in MuayThai extends beyond Thailand, and has swelled to a world-wide phenomena.

Thailand's World MuayThai Council, which regulates the sport world-wide, numbers its members among 109 countries on five continents, with executive board members from 50 countries.

Closer to home, Valley College's own MuayThai self-defense club has made an impressive foray into the popular ring-sport. The brainchild of Thai brothers and traditional-style coaches Suriyan, Suriya, and Narin Makrom, the club is now beginning its second year on campus, and is already attracting attention in L.A. area smoke competitions, one grade below amateur competition. That level may soon change as the club's competitors increase their abilities.

With several trophies won by the club in recent competitions, the Makrom bothers have received enthusiastic remarks from Kru, MuayThai masters, and recommendations to compete in the more exacting amateur level tournament. The word is getting out. The Wolverines are coming.

Recent tournaments have included gyms and names familiar to the sport, such as Kru Pongson Ek-Yotin, Kru Rex MuayThai, Paulo Tocha (who appeared in Jean-Claud Van Damme's 1988 Blood Sport), and Kru Puk MuayThai Academy.

MuayThai smoke competitions are refereed with three 2-minute rounds, with a 1-minute rest between rounds. Boxers wear gloves, head gear, teeth guards, shin pads, and cups. Points for kicks and punches are scored by three judges. The competitions are well-attended by the public, and are full of action, skill and excitement.

With three tournaments under its belt the MuayThai club has returned home victorious twice. It hasn't come easy. The first competition tested boxers Danny Velasco and Kenny Finister. At the outset each performed strongly, but it was a difficult match for both men, and there were no wins that day.

"When you first fight, you have to touch the fire," says assistant coach Narin Makrom. "If the fire is too hot, you get burned. It hurts. But you remember. Next time, you are like cool water to put out the fire."

With guidance from the club's experienced coaches the lessons were apparently learned. Finister, in his second competition, won a unanimous decision from all three judges. And Velasco, in his third competition, defending against a dominating boxer, in the third round landed an unexpected kick and scored a knockout.

But the sport isn't only about wins. It's about a cultural art form, self control, and the rewards of discipline and training. Valley MuayThai boxers promote an ancient cultural tradition.

Finister, president of the club, sums it up: "Fear is always a factor. You never know. Every opponent is different. But once you're in your routine, you feel a calmness."

He grows thoughtful. "MuayThai teaches you about life. About how to handle things. You know you can get through anything."

This time both men brought back a trophy. And their more experienced opponents felt the fire.

The sport of MuayThai self-defense has taken up residence at Valley College. The successful campus club was chartered in the Fall of 2001 and currently has 25 members.

The MuayThai club offers excellent self-defense training to Valley students. The club meets Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Greek Theater. During inclement weather the club meets indoors in the Volley Ball Gym.

The practice is vigorous. Both body and mind are conditioned into shape by calisthenics and traditional MuayThai kick boxing techniques.

The club's successful show in L.A. area competitions however is an accomplishment made possible by student funds allocated the club by the Associated Student Senate last Spring.

"We would like to thank the A.S. and Valley College," says Narin Makrom. "Without them, we wouldn't have had equipment to train with. That's the reason we won. Because we got the equipment."

The MuayThai club is open to all students enrolled at Valley. "Everyone is welcome!" Makrom adds enthusiastically.

"We offer the whole thing," says Suriyan Makrom. "We don't water it down. This is not anything about brutality. We're way beyond that. This is about art. This is a traditional form that overwhelms the modern way."

The Makrom brothers immigrated from Thailand to the US with their family in 1995. They each have 17 years of experience in MuayThai training. Suriyan and Suriya Malcom have 12 years experience in competition. They recently taught one section on MuayThai to fellow attendees of the Fontana Police Academy.

"I think we've shown that Western people can learn traditional MuayThai, and can fight as well as anybody in Thailand," adds Suriyan Makrom.

"That gives me my satisfaction as a trainer, to know that MuayThai is really for everybody.�

SBVC�s newspaper: �The Arrowhead� URL: http://www.sbvcarrowhead.com/news/341170.html