Bullsbrook-based Muay Thai trainer Brian Kingwell is proud as punch to be recently named Trainer of the Year in WA, but he’s even prouder of the fantastic results of his students in recent months.
After moving to Bullsbrook 17 years ago, Brian, who lived and trained in Thailand before competing on the Australian circuit, gave up professional fighting to train young fighters. He runs classes for all ages and levels in a custom-built training gym with a full size boxing ring on his Bullsbrook property.
He said the sport appealed to both men and women. In fact women and girls make up 60% of his students these days – in it for the fun and exercise as well as self-defence.
“It’s just an incredible form of fitness,” he says, “It beats everything for burning calories.”
Brian settled on Muay Thai as his sport of choice after dabbling in several martial arts and becoming a black-belt in at least three disciplines. He says it’s the national sport in Thailand and the one which prepared him best for security work.
Muay Thai is referred to as “The Art of Eight Limbs” and using eight points of contact the body mimics weapons of war. The hands become the sword and dagger; the shins and forearms were hardened in training to act as armor against blows; the elbow fells opponents like a heavy mace or hammer and the legs and knees became the axe and staff. A professional league is governed by the World Muay Thai Council (Wikipedia).
Here in WA, Brian’s students from Country Muay Thai are basking in the glory of success, after taking out 5 state titles between them in recent months.
14-year-old Jake Kingwell, Brian’s son, is now the current holder of both 48kg and 51kg WMC ( World Muaythai Council) State Titles which he received at the Junior Championships in November.
16-year-old Jess Seery of Lower Chittering is the current holder of the Junior 57kg Futures State Title. Jess’s mum Joanne (42) was inspired to join her daughter in the sport two years ago, and recently competed in the ring as the oldest first-time female competitor
– and won!
At the WKA (World Kickboxing Association) state titles, 21-year-old Alice Becklake and 19-year-old Evie Nicolopoulos both of Bullsbrook took out the 61kg and 59kg State Titles respectively.
All four champions have up and coming bouts with Alice challenging for another title here in Perth in a few weeks.
“All of them train hard together, supporting and encouraging each other, whilst still finding time to help teach and mentor the younger students,” says Brian.
If you are interested in joining Country Muay Thai or coming along to watch the fights contact Brian via Country Muay Thai facebook page or on 0429 099 244.
