words ben sin

As the Thai New Year, Songkran, approaches and we anticipate getting at least a little damp when Hong Kong’s burgeoning Thai population celebrates with traditional water throwing rituals, we visited a couple of Muay Thai dojos to find out what it takes to become the next Tony Jaa.

And a real-life Tony Jaa is exactly who we met on our first trip to the Swish Club in Wan Chai. Mr. Santichai is an instructor at the club, but that’s only a sideline: primarily he is a professional Thai boxer, with an upcoming match in the WMC I-1 World Muay Thai Grand Prix. Looking every bit as ripped, muscular and intense as any on-screen fighter, Mr. Santichai is immediately intimidating. “I started Muay Thai at 9 years old,” he told us. “I went to the gym every day in my hometown of Chiang Mai and, within months of starting, I was participating in fights because my parents wanted me to make money from being a boxer.” Although it sounds cruel to send a 9-year-old out to fight for money, Mr. Santichai assures us he didn’t mind his parents’ decision. “I love to fight. In Muay Thai I can use every part of my body as a weapon: I have knocked out so many people with my elbows and kicks. Although I am No 1 in my weight class, I still have a lot to learn and that’s the beauty of Muay Thai: it takes a lifetime to master.”

Not everyone is in Muay Thai for the love of brutality, though, “I don’t want people to see Muay Thai as brutal, it is a graceful sport,” is the first thing Chung Ho Yu, owner of Kune Do Fitness Club in Prince Edwards, says. “I have always loved martial arts, I dropped out of school in form 5 to pursue it.” Chung originally started with Chinese martial arts, but eventually dedicated himself solely to the Thai form: “Muay Thai is the more interesting,” he states with a laugh. And his views are echoed by Anthony Au, owner of the Swish clubs in Wan Chai and Causeway Bay. “I started with Chinese martial arts at 13. After a few years, I realized Chinese martial arts doesn’t include real contact – we only practised the form and technique, and I wanted something that allows me to hit people.” His laugh might soften the words but does nothing to cushion the intent.

And so he took up the contact sport which sanctions attacks with the eight major striking points of the body – fists, knees, shins and elbows. “Muay Thai’s use of elbows and knees allows one to strike another with maximum force even when standing closely together,” Anthony says. It’s an intense – and necessarily painful – encounter but the Thai martial art is gaining popularity – and not only among young male warriors out to prove themselves. “I’d say half the class comprises females,” Kune Do’s Chung says, while the Swish Club has a class totally dedicated to women at Causeway Bay. However, on the question of training children, the two have differing opinions. “I don’t encourage anyone under 16 to learn martial arts, because I believe they should fully grow into their frames first. Ultimately, martial arts training can stunt one’s growth,” is the view of Kune Do’s master. Yet Anthony Au’s Swish Club trains students as young as 5 years. Ultimately, though, it must be a decision for kids’ parents.

Muay Thai probably grew out of military hand-to-hand combat as old as the Thai nation itself and is now Thailand’s national pastime – even practised by some more keen on overpowering others with their appearance than their fighting skills. Anthony tells of ladies on a quest for fitness and beauty joining his classes to slim down and tone their bodies, while Chung notes “Cardio is a big part of what we do, sometimes practising is almost like dancing.” And, as he reminds us Muay Thai is not all just blood and snarls, it’s not surprising that the club with the congenial approach and small classes attracts more than just body-damaging bruisers. As Chung says, “There are no more than eight students per class, we want to promote more person-to-person interaction, not just people punching a bag.” And that’s how you become HK’s answer to Tony Jaa…

Swish Club is located in Wan Chai at 9/F 88 Lockhart Road, 3171 2965.
Kune Do Fitness Club is in Prince Edwards at 172 Prince Edwards West Road, 9558 8398.

Taking a Dive
In Hong Kong, underwater is one of the few places you can avoid crowds, so why not give it a go? You can make a free dive courtesy of South China Diving Club’s annual Try Dive on Saturday the 14th at the Henry Fok Pool. If you like the rush of being several hundred feet underwater, you can then join the Ocean Diver Course starting on April 19. The South China Diving Club dives most weekends in Hong Kong and sometimes overseas.
What: South China Diving Club Free Try Dive When: April 14 Where: Henry Fok Pool, Aberdeen How much: Free Enquiries: info@scdc.org.hk

Playing Golf
Golf’s popularity has increased immensely over the last twenty years, but that's mainly been the men’s game. The women’s game, thanks to the emergence of several top Asian women has never been more popular and more visible. Is the next superstar playing here? The HK Golf Club’s Spring Ladies Tournament on April 10 is for local HK female golfers with a current USGA handicap index of 34.3 or lower. Registration is closed but you can still watch and cheer on your local favourites. The first golfers tee off at 7:30am.
What: Spring Ladies Golf Tournament When: April 10 Where: Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling Enquiries: www.hkga.com

Slow Walker
Have you noticed how most people walk in Hong Kong during lunch hour on a weekday afternoon? Everyone is rushing, as though the pavement burns their feet – or vice versa. Seems like being in a rush is just a Hong Kong way of life, perhaps all those pavement burners should consider taking up race walking. Hong Kong’s MTR Race Walking 2007 will take place on April 15, exactly where all those busy feet fly every day in the Central business district. However, in race walking one foot must be on the ground at all times, while the extending leg must be kept straight. With a variety of categories for different skill groups – Elite, Senior, Master, and Novice (must be for people who have never lived in HK) – athletes from HK, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines will also compete for the trophy and cash prize. Want to join in the fun? You can still apply by visiting www.hkaaa.com; the deadline is April 4. For HKAAA registered athletes, entry is $60, for non-members $80.
What: MTR Race Walking 2007 When: April 15 Where: Central How much: $60 entry for HKAAA members, $80 for non-members Enquiries: 2504 8215

Running Out of Time
Want to prove you’re in shape? Swimming and running may be the two sports that require the most stamina and conditioning, and in the upcoming Splash N Dash race you’ll need both. Registration is open now until 7:45am on the day of the race – April 14. There will be many divisions, separated by age group and gender, so it doesn’t matter how old or small you are; if you’ve got the heart to compete, you can go for the medals.
What: Splash N Dash Swim/Run Event When: April 14, 8:00am Where: The Repulse Bay How Much: Adults: $120 early registration, $200 for registration after April 12 Juniors (19 and under) $80 until April 12, then $150 thereafter Enquiries: www.revolution-asia.com

Smooth Sailing
Over the Easter break, 17 yachts will be racing from The Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club in Causeway Bay over 480 miles to San Fernando in the Philippines. The San Fernando race starts at noon and the leading yachts will looking to break Sam Chan’s FFree Fire race record time of 49 hours, 55 minutes, 12 seconds. The biennial race races money for Full Gospel Faith Temple Orphanage in San Fernando.
What: San Fernando Race 2007 When: April 5 Where: Start at Victoria Harbour How much: Free to watch Enquiries: 2239 0362 or www.sanfernandorace.com