Thongchai Sitsongpeenong wins Gold Medal at 2014 IFMA Championships

Thongchai Sitsongpeenong is one of Thailand’s brightest stars. At only 18 years of age Thongchai recently won a gold medal in the 71kg (156lb) weight class at the 2014 IFMA Championships. To capture the gold medal Thongchai defeated Alma Nabiyer (Ukraine), Farkhad Ahkmejanau (Belarus), Masoud Minae (Iran), and Timur Ineshin (Russia) in a span of five days. Thongchai’s gold medal was one of 10 gold medals that Thailand won at the 2014 IFMA Championships. 

With many of today’s Thai super stars such as Buakaw, Kem, and Yodsanklai nearing the age or retirement the time seem perfect for Thongchai to start making a name for himself to an international fan base. He has already earned the respect of his peers in Thailand and is currently the Lumpinee Stadium Welterweight Champion.He has proven he can fight the best and win, and he has proven to be an entertaining fighter. With so much potential and skill Thongchai is a must watch fighter. 

If you have not seen Thongchai fight, check out his fight from 2013 against Damien Alamos.

Pictures: Frankie Giorgi training for Thai Fight semi-finals

Erik Teer was at Sitsongpeenong to capture some pics of Frankie Giorgi training for the Thai Fight semi-finals. Giorgi will face Abraham Roqueni as he looks to advance to the tournament finals.

Thailand Blog - Day 1

by Nathan Aripez

After a 17 hour flight from Los Angeles, Scott Hirano and I arrived in Bangkok, Thailand at 6AM. We met our driver ,Eak, and our Thai Consulate escort, Noradee, around 6:30am and our first stop was Kiatpetch Gym to cover Sakkedao Petchpayathai. Sakkedao's training was some of the best training I have ever seen first hand. In addition to Sakkedao there were various other young fighters training and they were all equally impressive. Coming from America it is unusual to see a 16 year old with that skill level. After Sakkedao was done training we did an interview with him, but the best part was after the camera was off. Through the translator we talked about his first trip to America which would take place in October when he fights Kevin Ross and how Muay Thai is scored differently in the United States, as well as his four fights with Saenchai, but on a more relaxed and candid level.