Sports
Father Trains his 16 Children, Including 9 Daughters in Muay Thai
His daughters have all won Muay Thai championships in their age and weight categories, and Nopparit Yoohanngoh wants them to have the same respect as his sons
Six days a week, many of the 16 children of Nopparit Yoohanngoh, a Muay Thai boxing trainer, are up and about before sunrise in Bangkok city. Yawning and bleary-eyed, his children head to their father’s gym, which consists of a weathered boxing ring and an adjacent training space under a corrugated iron roof. He built the gym by himself among shady willows beside a scenic canal.
The teenagers do runs on footpaths along the waterway, lift rusty weights, do push-ups on plastic mats and pummel punching bags hung from beams. Even Nopparit’s youngest child, nine-year-old Mussalin, is at it.
Nopparit Yoohanngoh, has trained all of his 16 children in Muay Thai
An elfin girl with curly black locks, she kicks boxing pads held by an older brother – before sneaking off for some ice cream at a local shack that doubles as a convenience store. After school, his children return to their father’s gym and resume training.
For three decades Nopparit, 54, has coached his children – the eldest is 32 – in Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, starting when they were in diapers. His younger ones all compete in the sport and several of his grandchildren are training too.Soft-spoken and a doting father, Nopparit has steered his children towards Thai boxing to keep them away from drug abuse in their low-income neighbourhood. “It was already a big problem in my youth,” he says. “My friends who became junkies are all dead.”
Nopparit has trained his nine daughters as hard as his seven sons, and produced some of Thailand’s best female fighters.
“Boys are stronger and more athletic, but girls can make up for less strength by mastering the techniques,” he explains, during outdoor practice with five of his daughters in muggy tropical heat as dark monsoon clouds loom overhead.
His daughters have all won championships in their age and weight categories. Even more there are numerous trophies, medals and photographs around his modest town house that attest to their success.
Kullanat Yoohanngoh an 18-year-old high-schooler who is a professional Muay Thai fighter
“I’m not proud of their belts. I’m proud of their resolve and character,” Nopparit says. “I don’t care if they win or lose. I just want them to do their best.”
His daughter Kullanat, a lithe 18-year-old with her long hair pulled into a topknot, begins sparring with Phoobadin, her 16-year-old brother, who has boyish features, well-toned muscles and throws explosive power punches.It’s a spirited give-and-take as the siblings practise kicking and clinching while their mother, Somsamorn, encourages them.
“When we were little and we sparred, my sisters easily beat me so I cried,” Phoobadin recalls. That is no longer the case. “Now he’s much stronger than us,” Kullanat says.
Dubbed “Thailand’s miracle child” by the US-based Boxing Scene magazine, Phoobadin, whose ring name is Sangarthit Looksaikongdin (after the name of his father’s gym), recently defeated a fighter five years his senior at a high-profile bout in Bangkok to claim the World Boxing Association Asia’s light-welterweight title.
Five sisters in the Yoohanngoh family go for a training in Bangkok
Since turning pro at 14, he’s won other coveted belts, in boxing and Muay Thai.
For winning a prize fight recently, he pocketed 300,000 baht (S$13,000), a windfall by local standards, especially for a high-schooler.His older sisters can only dream of earnings like that despite being accomplished Muay Thai fighters in their own right. Female fighters are taken less seriously by local promoters and fans of Thailand’s beloved national sport, the young women say.
“The men are stronger and more dynamic so I understand why people prefer to watch them,” says Phawita Yoohanngoh, 19, who has had 118 fights since her first at age six.
Nopparit’s son claimed the World Boxing Association Asia’s light-welterweight title
She has won most of them, but gets 10,000 baht at best for a bout. “Even I think it’s more fun to watch men fight,” she adds. “But some women have great technique, which is also fun to watch.”
At local competitions, female fighters are routinely relegated to sideshows – if they’re invited to compete at all.
And while men duke it out through five three-minute rounds with one-minute breaks, women often fight for three rounds lasting two minutes each with two-minute breaks. That leaves less time to show off their skills.
Women fighters also suffer from being matched up by event organisers without regard for their skills and experience, which leads to mismatched contests.
Jade Marrisa Sirisompan, a former Muay Thai world champion in the 51kg category
“A lot of promoters don’t bother much with female fights. They look at two girls and go ‘Same weight? Go fight!’” says Jade Marrisa Sirisompan, a one-time world champion who has retired from competition and advocates for greater recognition of female fighters in Thailand.
“You don’t want to watch someone kick someone else’s ass,” she says. “When a fighter is outclassed by another, it isn’t a challenge or fun for either of them.”Under the right conditions, female fighters can put on a great show. Kanyarat Yoohanngoh, a petite 21-year-old university student, did just that last December against Paloma Arranz, a 29-year-old nurse from Spain, during a televised bout in Bangkok.
Duongdaonoi Looksaikongdin lands a punch on Spain’s Paloma Arranz
The most accomplished Yoohanngoh girl in the ring, Kanyarat competes as Duongdaonoi Looksaikongdin in the ring and recently held a world championship title in the 48kg class.
As her parents and sisters cheered her at ringside, Kanyarat withstood a flurry of kicks and punches from Arranz when suddenly she spun around to elbow the Spaniard in the forehead, leaving her with a bleeding gash.Undaunted, Arranz kept on pressing with more punches and kicks.
Dodging and weaving, Kanyarat knocked her opponent down in the second round with a clinical elbow to the face. In the third round, Kanyarat stunned Arranz with another lightning-quick elbow strike.
The Spaniard, her face blooded for the second time, retaliated with well-aimed strikes of her own.
The judges called it a draw, which still irks Nopparit, who saw his daughter as the clear winner. Few men could have shown more heart than these two women, he says.
Duongdaonoi Looksaikongdin and a battered Paloma Arranz embrace
Yet in Thailand’s most prestigious venues of Muay Thai, the Lumpini and Rajadamnern stadiums in Bangkok, no woman is allowed to touch the rings, let alone compete in them.
“The rings at these places are seen as sacred areas,” explains Chinawut Sirisompan, a grandmaster of the sport. “Every so often they’re sanctified with mantras and blessings by monks. A woman’s touch is believed to undermine their magical power.”Some years ago a Japanese female journalist, unfamiliar with the taboo, put a foot on a step of the ring in one of the stadiums.
“That night it was a bloodbath,” Chinawut says. “All the fighters got badly cut. They blamed the woman.”
The same taboo about contact with women pertains to the traditional magical tattoos with which many male fighters get themselves inked for protection against injuries.
Newly tattooed fighters stay away from menstruating women lest the skin-deep magic of their tattoos should vanish.
Even at less prestigious venues female fighters have to go low – literally. Men enter and leave Thai boxing rings by climbing over the topmost of four ropes, but women crawl under the bottom one.
“Men go over, women go under. Even in my gym,” notes Jade, the daughter of Chinawut, who owns and runs a Thai boxing camp in eastern Bangkok.
Chinawut Sirisompan, a grandmaster of Muay Thai
The grandmaster is president of both the World Muay Thai Organisation and the Kru Muay Thai Association. And in his office is a large shrine with sacred garuda statues and antique swords.
The weapons are testament to Muay Thai’s origins as a martial art. Developed for hand-to-hand combat on medieval battlefields. Furthermore which were off-limits to women.
Among the framed mementos on his wall is a newspaper clipping about a young female fighter from 1997 at Thailand’s first official Muay Thai bout for women.
A reformer who wants a larger role for females in his sport. Chinawut staged the event in Bangkok between a foreigner and a free-spirited Thai woman he had been training.
Mussalin Yoohanngoh, nine,trains with one of her brothers
“I got a lot of flak for that,” he recalls. Undeterred, he carried on staging fights for women at his organisations’ tournaments. By now such fights have become routine at locally held international competitions.
However, when his daughter, now 28, announced her decision at age 18 to become a fighter, he brushed her off. “I laughed when she told me,” recalls Chinawut.
Teenager Zaidania Yoohanngoh poses for a picture at her father’s gym in Bangkok
“You don’t want your daughter to get punched in the face and Muay Thai is rarely a good career. Especially for women.”
Jade persisted, proving her mettle in the ring. “She had the guts to do it,” her father concedes. “Given a chance, women can be great fighters.”
This article was first published in South China Morning Post.
(CTN News) – Bo Bichette, the shortstop for the Toronto Blue Jays, left the game against the Detroit Tigers on Friday after six innings due to a strained right calf.
The game was played against the Tigers. In the end, the Blue Jays were defeated by a score of 5-4 by the opposing team.
Bo Bichette hit a line drive to right field in the bottom of the sixth inning, and it appeared that he injured his calf when he was sprinting to first base. The damage appeared to be caused by the line drive.
The calf that is causing the problem is the same one that Bo Bichette has been experiencing issues with throughout the entire season. After suffering a strain to his right calf fascia on July 10 while playing against the San Francisco Giants, he was forced to sit out the last four games before the All-Star break from the National Football League.
Because of the discomfort in his right calf, he has been out for nine games since then, and he did not return to action until the 24th of June.
Before the trade deadline on July 30, it is very clear that the Blue Jays will be deconstructed for pieces. It is fairly obvious that the Blue Jays have lost any possibility of winning in the American League East, which is a highly competitive division. Additionally, it is pretty certain that they will be disfigured for pieces.
Bo Bichette’s injuries could prevent him from being traded in the future.
However, it is probable that this injury will preclude him from participating in any further trade conversations. Recent trade rumors have stated that Bo Bichette could be a contender for a trade;
However, it is possible that this scenario will not occur. After an MRI was finished on Friday, Bo Bichette was placed on the injured list for a period of ten days. This list will remain in effect until that time.
Bichette will almost definitely be placed on the disabled list for a period of time that is longer than the minimum of ten days, even if the findings of the MRI come back negative. This is because of the recent spate of calf problems that have been occurring.
There is a lack of clarity on whether or not the Blue Jays would have been willing to trade Bo Bichette regardless of the ailment that he was suffering from.
It has been reported that Toronto has informed other clubs that they are not prepared to trade any players who are under their control beyond the year 2024.
Bo Bichette’s contract with the organization ends in 2025.
Additionally, Toronto has informed other teams for this reason. At the beginning of June, it seemed as though the general manager of the Blue Jays, Ross Atkins, was opposed to the concept of trading Bo Bichette while he was still on the team.
Bichette claimed in a recent comment that he would not be “surprised at all” if he were to be traded to a different team. He said this in reference to the possibility of being traded.
His batting average is even worse than it has ever been in his whole career.He has participated in 79 games so far this season, and he has a batting average of 223 and an on-base percentage of.597 to his name.
The two-time winner Despite the fact that the All-Star is having a challenging season, he would have a far higher chance of having a good season if he were to play for a team that was involved in a more intense level of competition.
On the other hand, it would appear that Bichette will not be participating in a game for a substantial amount of time, regardless of whether he is playing for the Blue Jays or for another team.
SOURCE: FS
SEE ALSO:
France Reaches Euro 2024 Quarter-Finals with Late Own Goal Against Belgium
Euro 2024 Host Germany Trounces Scotland’s National Team 5-1
Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau started disastrously at the British Open.
(CTN News) – Forget about Rory McIlroy’s final opportunity to compete in a major tournament this year; the British Open may have been his final opportunity.
At present, his most promising prospect is to endure for an additional day. Bryson DeChambeau, the US Open champion, is also present.
On Thursday, Pinehurst No. 2 protagonists encountered Rory McIlroy’s additional complications as a result of an opposing wind that arrived at Royal Troon. McIlroy required two strokes to emerge from a deep hazard located just to the right of the 123-yard eighth hole, which is referred to as the “Postage Stamp.”
Rory McIlroy’s mallet sailed over the rails after three holes.
It culminated in a 7-over 78, which was his lowest major opening round in five years. “I just didn’t do a good enough job on that back nine, and the conditions were tough,” according to him.
DeChambeau was not significantly superior. He encountered difficulties in making par shots at the outset; on the fourth hole, a par-5, he even missed one from three feet.
The par-5 seventh hole resulted in a double bogey for him as he attempted to strike a 7-iron through dense grass, but the ball was only moved a short distance.
Following his 76, he proceeded to the range to evaluate his equipment and determine the reason for his ball’s failure to connect with the driver as anticipated.
He observed, “That day was unusual.” It is highly unlikely that either of them will forget their involvement in the morning wave or their role as the primary attraction following the U.S. Open.
Rory McIlroy was in complete control of his destiny and was leading by two strokes on the back nine before missing a 30-inch par putt on the 16th hole and another par putt from just within 4 feet on the 18th hole, which prolonged his 10-year major drought.
Making a putt from a bunker 55 yards away, DeChambeau secured his second U.S. Open victory. Rory McIlroy’s finale was so challenging that he departed Pinehurst No. 2 without expressing his gratitude to DeChambeau or expressing any sentiments.
McIlroy was optimistic about his form as he approached the final major of the year, following his tie for fourth at the Rory McIlroy Scottish Open last week. Conversely, the wind came from the opposite direction, disrupting the plans of both him and his colleagues.
On the shortened front nine, where high scores are possible, it was directly in their faces. Assistance was provided from the left on the longer back nine, which is challenging in any conditions. McIlroy was taken aback by the difficulty of the back nine, as Rory McIlroy had anticipated that it would be less difficult.
“The course was exceedingly challenging.” The circumstances are exceedingly difficult due to the wind that has yet to be observed this week. McIlroy stated that the wind dictated his strategy during the practice sessions.
However, according to him, “it starts to present different options and you start to think about maybe hitting a few clubs that you haven’t hit in practice when you get a wind you haven’t played in.”
“Just one of those days where I didn’t adjust to the circumstances well enough.” It was not a satisfactory conclusion to the round. Following his decision to play a driver off the 18th.
On the left, Rory McIlroy fired sideways due to a pot bunker.
He drove the wedge to a distance of Rory McIlroy approximately eight feet, made one final bogie, and missed one additional putt, indicating that there was still a significant amount of work to be done.
In order to survive the weekend, he declared, “I must improve my performance under those circumstances.” If not, I should endeavor to advance further on the leaderboard and feel as though I have a reasonable chance. McIlroy was ten strokes behind the lead when he finished, but he had hoped for a smaller margin.
Until he reached the par-5 16th, DeChambeau did not complete a hole below par. It is more accurate to describe him as a sluggish bleeding individual. That was the only positive aspect of the day. An eagle putt of 55 feet was executed on the 565-yard hole by him.
“I am satisfied with the way in which I maintained my composure today,” stated DeChambeau. It would have been so easy for me to give up at nine o’clock and declare, ‘I’m going home’.” No, sir. There will be an additional opportunity for me tomorrow. As I anticipate the assignment, I am eager to begin.
“I will be fine if I am able to make a few putts, hit a few shots, and figure out how to use the equipment.”
SOURCE: CT
SEE ALSO:
France Reaches Euro 2024 Quarter-Finals with Late Own Goal Against Belgium
Euro 2024: Spain Beats Italy 1-0 to Secure Final 16 Berth
Euro 2024 Host Germany Trounces Scotland’s National Team 5-1
(CTN News) – Jan Vertonghen’s late own goal advanced France to the quarterfinals of Euro 2024 at Belgium’s expense. A game that lacked quality and excitement for long stretches appeared destined for extra time, but a shot by replacement Randal Kolo Muani rebounded off Vertonghen with five minutes left to win the victory at Dusseldorf Arena.
France had previously missed multiple chances due to a lack of a cutting edge, and even captain Kylian Mbappe made efforts that would typically go wide.
Belgium could have seized the lead before France’s late goal when Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne sprinted into space through the middle, but Mike Maignan blocked his effort.
That was the only real opportunity for the underperforming Belgians, as France closed out the final few minutes to advance to the last eight, where they will meet Portugal or Slovenia.
Didier Deschamps’ team deserved to win, but the 2018 world champions will be relieved more than anything else after struggling to convert chances into goals once more.
They dominated play for long stretches but only had one effort on goal in the first half, Antoine Griezmann’s low strike from distance, which was well saved.
Mbappe is one of the world’s top forwards, but even he struggled when given a shooting opportunity, curling over in the second half after doing well to create space for himself.
France is through but still needs to improve.
In the end, they had 19 shots on goal, but only two were on target, and they are still waiting for their first goal from open play in Germany.
In a theme common to all of the bigger teams remaining in Euro 2024, France is struggling to play at the level they are capable of, but for the time being, they will relish being one step closer to the final.
Belgium was booed off the pitch by some fans after only drawing with Ukraine in their last group game, but their supporters were hopeful that they would improve their performance against the French.
However, they were once again overly cautious for extended periods, and their threatening moments were fleeting.
However, they should have punished France for their carelessness with De Bruyne’s effort in the dying moments, while Romelu Lukaku, who is leaving Euro 2024 without a goal, also saw a low shot saved in the second half.
Like Croatia, this has seemed like one last chance for Belgium’s ‘golden generation’, with players like De Bruyne and Lukaku in their 30s.
And, like Croatia, they will leave the tournament wondering whether this was a squandered chance to achieve what could have been with this set of players.
Source: BBC Sports
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