From the day we opened our doors after the Christmas break, unprecedented numbers of trainees were embarking on their journeys with Kao Loi! It was a very exciting time with both our Participation base increasing and our Performers making significant improvements to their skill levels.
We also had a growing number of volunteers helping to develop our juniors. Many thanks go to Gareth, Damian, Oliver, Ciaran, Craig, Sarah, Fraser, Mike, Paul, and Jack who have all been a great help in this regard. It was plain to see that with this extra help the juniors were all improving quickly.
Ciaran was our only athlete to compete in the first quarter of the year taking a terrific stoppage win in a K1 bout in London against a very strong opponent from the Knowlesy Academy. The local fighter started very strongly but Ciaran began to break him down using front kicks and sharp boxing. By the middle of the second round the writing was on the wall when Ciaran landed a heavy roundhouse to the head followed by jump knee and heavy body shot. This set up the finish which came via a front kick to the face dropping his opponent for the count.
In April 3 of our fighters, Ciaran, Craig, and Nathaniel were due to compete but…Lockdown!
So now it seems that both Participation level and Performers will not be able to train until further notice.
We are hoping that the situation will improve sooner rather than later and we are already working on ways that we can make access to the gym as safe as possible when the government give the go ahead.
In the early days of the lockdown I put lots of posts on the Kao Loi Facebook page with stars of Muay Thai in action, exercises to do at home, amazing sports stories, and videos of Blue training at home! If you haven’t seen them already please like the page and scroll back through them.
Making the most of the lockdown, all of our volunteers have completed an online Safeguarding and Protecting children course, and we are looking for more opportunities for continuing professional developmental learning.
Also I have been making a teaching video series that can be used at home by people interested in Muay Thai Grading. The picture at the top shows the Grade levels and working from level 1 upwards has been a very rewarding process for me which I would recommend to anyone interested in Muay Thai or Boran. For more information please see our websites page on Grading
To get going on this most rewarding path, please contact me here.
Hopefully we will all be able to meet up soon and in the meantime stay safe and do what you can to keep fit.
Well in short…It’s been busy!!
Our First Timers sessions have been attended by many people throughout the year. Most have been coming along to see what we get up to, and others have become regular members who have committed themselves to a path of learning and self improvement within the club.
Welcome to 2019 and I hope you’ve all had as good a Christmas with your families as I did!
It’s going to be another busy year at Kao Loi! We are delighted to again have the support of our sponsors K9 Patrol for the coming year. Many thanks to Lee and Kate for their ongoing support.
Classes and personal training sessions restart on Monday 7th January, starting with Juniors at 5pm, Fat Buster at 6pm, Pad Blaster at 7.10pm, followed by Sparring and no gi rolling at 8.10pm. Something for everyone!
If you’d like to book a personal session please get in touch.
We have already matched most of our fight team in February and March. Ciaran fights pro K1 in Warrington on February 17th, and we hope also to get Nathaniel matched on the same show. Then Harry and Craig both fight pro MMA on the Almighty Fighting Championships in Leeds on 23rd March. They are sure to be excellent events so get in touch if you’d like to reserve tickets.
I look forward to seeing you on Monday and once again..Happy New Year!
Our fight team has had an exciting first half of the year with more great nights for the club coming up.
Ciaran Smith has represented the club twice, winning in York, and then on the highest of stages fighting on the undercard of Glory 54 in Birmingham. Ciaran acquitted himself well but lost on points but learnt a lot from the fight.
Craig Skelton has fought twice on the Almighty Fighting Championship and registered two first round stoppages. He will now make his professional debut in November.
Jason Roberts made his fight debut during his 6 month training trip to Thailand. He could not get an amateur MMA fight so took a Thai fight against an experienced Thai fighter. He competed well but then received a blow to the eye which restricted his vision and had to retire.
Harry Ettridge has been training in LA with Uriah Faber at Team Alpha Male, and on his return made his pro debut on the same AFC bill as Craig. He also won after his opponents corner pulled their fighter out after the first round. He will be back in action soon and is looking forward to returning to LA for another training camp.
We are delighted to have agreed a sponsorship deal with Lee and Kate Chandler from K9 Patrol.
With the money from their sponsorship we have been able to design and purchase new Thai Pads for the gym, and clothing for the fight and coaching teams.
Feedback on all the gear has been excellent so thanks to Sibiga Fight Gear for their supply.
For more about K9 Patrol Security Services click on this link to their website:
https://k9patrol.co.uk/
The Kru Muay Thai Association recognises Head Coach Pierre as a Master of Muay Thai after
working with and being recommended by Grand Master Kevin Lloyd.
Here is an article published by the Harrogate Advertiser :
Harry, Oskar, and Kris all in action over the last couple of months. Oskar at the start of his career, Harry forging a new path in MMA, and Kris saying farewell to competition at the highest level. Here is a link to the French Television coverage of the event featuring Kris and Oskar
https://www.facebook.com/pmt63/videos/10154400577713314/
Here are the articles from the Harrogate Advertiser :
Continue reading National MMA and International Thai Boxing fights for Kao Loi
Harrogate’s Deputy Mayor Christine Ryder officially opened the new H Hour Boxing and Kao Loi Gym at 154A Skipton Road to rapturous applause from the 60 plus guests in attendance. The highlight of the evening was a ceremonial ringing of the H Hour ring bell signalling the first rounds at their new venue. Continue reading Official opening night is a great success!
Craig Brown, a member of Kao Loi for some time, has come on board as our resident physio. He will be offering his services to our members in our new facility from the end of January.
A bright future for Kao Loi in our new gym!