Muay Thai added to his arsenal
Muay Thai is also officially recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Brakpan’s Raymond Phillips, president of Xtreme Kickboxing Technologies (XKT), who has been involved in the fighting arts for most of his life, has accomplished another big milestone.
Phillips, who started his martial arts career at the age of seven, worked his way up in the karate world at first.
He was then drawn to full combat sport which saw him become a renowned kickboxer, competing actively right up until 2013 when he finished his competitive career on a high with two South African titles.
“It was one of the hardest decisions I have had to make, but there is a time for every fighter to stop competing and allow the new generation to grow,” said Phillips
“It’s our duty as former competitors to be there for them.”
By not competing anymore it allowed him to study other fighting arts.
Also read: Protea colours for Brakpan karateka
“We have always done grappling, but we only seriously looked into it when we started with mixed martial arts (MMA) a few years ago,” he added.
“We officially opened a branch of the Rio Grappling club in Brakpan teaching Brazilian jiu-jitsu. “Weapons training were also a part of my studies and that is currently being incorporated into the self defence programmes we teach.”
Phillips has now added a new dimension to his arsenal of martial arts disciplines.
He is now an official Muay Thai (Thai boxing) instructor or a ‘kru’ in Thai.
He has been studying the art of Muay Thai since 2009 when he trained at the word famous Muay Thai school Tiger Muay Thai in Thailand.
His grading to instructor took place recently in Centurion, led by ajarn (master) Quintin Chong and kru Marlon Rosen.
“It was really taxing on the body,” said Phillips.
“It is a tough sport and fighting art.
“I am looking forward to presenting and teaching new and current students this hard and exciting fighting art.”
XKT has also registered with the South African Amateur Muay Thai Federation (SAAMF) and internationally with the International Federation of Muaythai Amateur (IFMA).
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