Muay Thai Training With Master Sken (Vol. 1) WARRIOR MASTER CLASS

Tape review by SDJ

When I first received this tape and was asked to review it, I accepted immediately, thinking that the tape would provide a great insight into training in the art of muaythai, by one of the most accomplished and respected masters around.

Anyone involved in muaythai, with the possible exception of those extremely new to the art, has heard of Master Sken. Back in the mid seventies Master Sken came over from North Thailand to Britain to introduce to us a different kind of martial art, one with devastatingly powerful kick, punch, elbow and knee strikes. The art of muaythai in Britain is, to a great extent, where it is today thanks to Master Sken.

The video is shot in the training headquarters of the Sitnarong International muaythai Association (S.I.M.T.A), it features Master Sken and his British, European and World Champions "all on one tape in full training - no holds barred." Or so it said on the back of the video. Don't get me wrong this is a brilliant video although it is hard to see what its aims are, whether it be a video for beginners, or more realistically for advanced fighters or possibly just a show case, demonstrating some of the ways in which his fighters train.

It opens to Master Sken showing his undisputable skill and power on a heavy bag with an array of stunning advanced kicks which can not fail to impress even the most biased members of another club or art. I found myself watching this sequence over and over again, and every time not failing to be impressed by his ability to combine grace and power into the kicks. Now onto the actual video! It starts with one of Master Sken's champions, Humphrey Harrison (Double British, European and World Freestyle Welter Weight Thai Boxing champion ) on the power ball, showing great punching speed and timing. As well as Humphrey, there are a host of other champions demonstrating equipment such as the heavy bag and speed ball. After this brief demonstration the video goes into a rather unorganised sequence of training methods from step ups, press ups and sit ups to advanced warm up techniques suitable only for the more advanced exponent. Don't get me wrong despite the video having no fixed order in terms of the training regime, it still is a great video, aimed I would think at the more advanced exponent, wishing to compliment his training with some new and varied techniques. The commentator, Sandy Holt, does in fact emphasise this point, that it may be unsuitable for beginners as the video shows him performing advanced sit ups raised off the ground! After his champions have demonstrated every conceivable exercise the video then progresses to ring art training.

His Champions are seen to go through everything from grappling practice to dodging, parrying and blocking of punches, before the two engage in boxing sparring and full Thai sparring. Following on from this in what seems a rather unorganised structure to the video, comes stretching techniques, demonstrated by Sandy Holt. He demonstrates a wide variety of techniques suitable for beginners and advanced levels, from two different angles. Master Sken himself then continues to show his supreme knowledge and expertise in the at by demonstrating, control, strength, flexibility and balance all at the same time. This sequence again is nothing short of brilliant to watch, what seems quite a trivial routine is in fact extremely difficult to perform and Sken carries it off with his usual grace and expertise. Following on from the stretching routines we see Master Sken training one of his Champions in how to throw front kicks with pads and on the bag. The video concludes with Master Sken once again showing his incredible skill on the heavy bag with an array or advanced floor and aerial kicks.

To conclude, this is a good video to watch, it gives an interesting insight to different training methods employed by his champions but little more. It serves mainly as a demonstration of his camps high level of dedication and skill in training and fighting but will also serve as a good aid for the more advanced student hoping to gain training tips for tournament fighting from one of the Worlds biggest and most successful camps and Instructors. A very nice addition to anyones muaythai video library showcasing some of the leading exponents of muaythai.

To buy the video online now through Blackstar click here