A former Thai Boxing champion from Thailand has arrived in Bradford.

MUNGSARIN THAI BOXING ACADEMY
20-22, Barry Street,
Bradford
BD1 2AW
01274 309010

Theiab Noonoung was champion of southern Thailand.

After countless professional fights he retired from fighting and, in the Thai tradition, started teaching.

He moved from his home town of Trang to the Thai holiday island of Phuket, where he gained experience of teaching Westerners, or "ferrangs" as they are known in Thailand.

It was there he became friends with gym owner Nigel Fell.

"I went out for a break, but as usual packed my shorts" said Nigel. "I did some training out there and enjoyed it so much I went back for longer, training and fighting in Phuket."

When he heard that Nigel was opening a Thai Boxing club in Bradford, Theiab immediately offered to come over and help.

"It was an offer too good to refuse," said Nigel. "Theiab was due to arrive in April, but the British Embassy in Bangkok were less than helpful."

Theiab is hoping to revive his fighting skills in England, and will also be giving seminars around the country.

He will be staying until April, when he will return to Thailand in time fort "Sankran," Thai New Year. But that won’t be the end of his association with the club. He is hoping to take some of the members with him to appear in some fights in Thailand that he will be putting on once he gets back.

For more information contact Mungsarin Thai Boxing on 01274 309010.