Nathan & the Brooklyn Monk
July 28, 2009 by nopstar
Friend and MMT community member Nathan has been showing up the internets! Here’s a recent clip of him on facetube… I hadn’t seem him on MMT for a bit turns out he’s been in transition.
Nathan writes:
After finishing my time in Sukko Spa (things weren’t working out without equipment etc!) things have been going well. I decided to take advantage of my new found freedom and take an unscheduled trip up to BKK to spend some time with my friends at Baan Chang Thai. During my training, Kru Lek had been insisting that I stay and assist with the weekends work. It seemed that Baan Chang Thai would be host to film crews from three different programs (Thai and international) as well as filming on the Sunday for Kru Lek’s own program that is shown every Saturday on Thai Channel 11.
So I was pleasantly surprised to find out the the Friday’s session was with none other than the ‘Brooklyn Monk’ Antonio Graceffo. I’d seen some of Antonio’s exploits and had been impressed (and jealous) of the diversity of arts and the teachers that he had met.
It’s always good to meet diligent and attentive students, and Antonio didn’t disappoint remaining patient and trying hard to grasp the basics of the style. It was also great to have the positive feedback from him and his friends (Robert and his crew host a martial arts TV program in America) who, once they understood where Muay Chaiya was coming from, absolutely loved it.
Anyway, I can talk your ears off about it, or you can check out Antonio’s program Martial Art’s Odyssey. Enjoy…
I was a student of Kru Pedro Villalobos of Muaythai Sangha who Antionio mentioned early in the video.
He has struggled for many years with gaining the acceptence and repsect for his gym by the locals of Chiangmai, as the Thai’s tend to stubbornly believe that no one except a Thai can possibly teach thier art, despite the fact that he has been fighting and teaching for well over 20 years, is a devout buddist, and knows more about Muaythai and it’s history than 99 percent of thais do.
Its a shame because Kru Pedro is without a doubt the the best Muaythai teacher I have ever had. I think most people who have trained under him would say the same.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6CwnHJOJLc&feature=related
“brooklyn monk”? GET THE FUGGGOUTTAHERE……
SE lol, you remind me of this great film at 2:00
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ponWum-8JRc
Sorry for being off-topic.
EDIT: I meant that you reminded me of mentioned film…
thats ok. 25th hour was a GREAT FUCKING movie.
What a coincidence, I just saw someone upload this on a youtube channel I subscribe to.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LXXlIcEpJo
He also highlights “the brooklyn monk” as well in this segment. Check out his other vids as well. I don’t know the interviewer personally, but I know he has been hard at work trying to showcase his stuff on martial arts overseas. One of his vids even showcases Senchai when he briefly trained and taught in Japan.
Maybe you could hook him up with a spot Nop? His segment on Muay Thai theatre is very intersting and insightful. Here is his vid page.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=fightjapanrc&view=videos
^ that was a good vid
“He has struggled for many years with gaining the acceptence and repsect for his gym by the locals of Chiangmai, as the Thai’s tend to stubbornly believe that no one except a Thai can possibly teach thier art, despite the fact that he has been fighting and teaching for well over 20 years, is a devout buddist, and knows more about Muaythai and it’s history than 99 percent of thais do.’
Have you or Pedro polled 99% of Thais? With a claim like this do you blame the Thais for being skeptical?
Im not going to stright diss the art but this clip in no way sells it to me, they do not make it look impressive and that sparring was absolute jokes, also some of the explanations about the moves and stance etc just sounded like nonsence as explained by someone who sounds like they dont know what they’re on about.(Not saying he doesnt know, just saying it in relation to the clip maybe it was edited badly)
@Manant: Sorry the sparring didn’t look to impressive to you, maybe next time I’ll try and pop his knee out, or knock him out straight… if that’ll make you happy. Do you make a habit of turning up at a place and going full out at sparring on the first day? Or beat up on someone who’s just turned up to learn? I think not.
In fact, the sparring on this clip was completely unplanned, all we (Antonio and I) wanted to do was put the gloves on and have a bit of a play, the next thing either of us knew, we where on centre stage.
Remember, fun usually means NOT getting hurt to badly. If I’m getting paid then I’ll go harder, and then at least I’ll have something to cover my time out of teaching due to injury… I’m sure Antonio’s the same with his filming.
^ hi nathan. to be honest, the video is very unimpressive to me as well. and it’s not because you two were not going harder – if that was the case, it would’ve looked even worse. antonio’s movements are those of a beginner, plain and simple. many of us have trained at professional camps in thailand and can attest to this: most every fighter you will come across out there can go easy while still showing good techniques and exhibiting skill. for example, this video of namsaknoi and buakaw:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXP4HUdeJfE
the true skill is evident to anybody even though they are not killing each other. i’m sure antonio is totally nice and a stand-up guy. he very well may be knowledgeable and passionate, but skillful in muaythai – i certainly don’t think so.
lol. I take the comparison of me and Antonio with two of the worlds best ring fighters as a compliment Gorilla! However, i don’t think that comparing a bit of fun sparring with a professional exhibition is a little off the mark.
The point of what we were doing was to let Antonio experience first hand fighting a Chaiya fighter. It was his first time, and anyone who has sparred with me ( or any of the top crew from Baan Chang Thai) will tell you that it’s not as easy as it may seem. I don’t want to sound like I’m biggin myself up, but I’ve sparred with a variety of fighters of different levels, and most of them comment on how difficult it is to use their basic weapons and tactics let alone more advanced/impressive moves, that if are thrown slowly will meet an elbow or a knee as a block.
I understand if you watch it and are not greatly impressed, but maybe this is to do with ur unfamiliarity with the style, and the complications that it creates for the opponent.
If you’re in the neighborhood, please pop into Baan Chang Thai. If I’m there I’ll be happy to play, and if not I recommend having some fun with Tae. Hopefully you will appreciate my points more afterwards!
Peace.