About Me

That’s me running out of gas after the first round (Ingram Gym 2007)

Thanks for visiting my blog, I’m glad you found it. My name is Mai and I’m an American born Thai.

I started studying Martial Arts when I was ten or eleven, Okinawan Shorinji Ryu. Yes it was due in large to Karate Kid and all the Sho Kosugi Ninja Movies. Ninjas are dope.

Growing up the only martial arts competitions that I was exposed to was the PKA on ESPN. I remember scouring the TV guide and marking my calendar. As a kid I remember watching a fight as my father came into the room, he stood watching with a look of disapproval. He shook his head and said something to the effect of a Muay Thai fighter would kick this guy in the neck or a Muay Thai fighter would cut him down with kicks to the leg! I remember thinking to myself no way! Leg Kicks? Do you know who this is? This is Bill “Superfoot” Wallace! This guy does splits! I had copy of Inside KungFu which had a feature on Muay Thai. I remember looking at the pictures and thinking, that’s Muay Thai? He’s only wearing boxing trunks? That’s so lame.

The following year I went and spent the summer with relatives in Bangkok. My cousin took me to Lumpini Stadium. It was the first time I had ever seen Muay Thai in action. I almost shit myself, I couldn’t believe they weren’t wearing any booties! Knees , Elbows, and Leg Kicks ? This was crazy stuff.

Fast forward to 1998 I had just moved from Bangkok to San Francisco. My roommate at the time was really into Muay Thai, I dropped in to watch a class and I’ve never looked back.

I don’t train because I’m a professional, or an amateur or any good for that matter. I train because I love Muay Thai.

I’ve been training on and off since ‘98 and I’m still crap… I guess it keeps things interesting. I’ll be discussing everything from Gear to Thai culture etc. I’m sure I’ll be talking quite a bit of smack so don’t take me too seriously.

Thanks for visiting
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