Muay Thai is an ancient martial art that uses the human body to mimic weapons of war using the elbows and knees to punch and kick. After centuries of use, Muay Thai is still at the centre of spiritual and cultural identity of Thailand.
That went way over the head of eight-year-old Ajahn Suchart Yodkerepauprai. For his generation, Muay Thai in Thailand was like hockey in Canada. All his friends were into it and back then, he was in it for the competition and the candy awarded by his kru (teacher).
Later, Muay Thai became a way to better the life of Ajahn Suchart's family. In Ajahn Suchart's early twenties, his success in the ring earned him the title of Northern Thailand Divisional Champion for two straight years and gave him an opportunity to compete for the national championship. “I got two opportunities, but I came in second each time,” remembers Ajahn Suchart.
Thankfully, the Muay Thai gods had a bigger plan for him – one that would see him as the first Thai to bring Muay Thai to Canada.
