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In June 1992 James Hines met Suchart Yodkereipauprai, former Muay Thai Champion. Shortly after, in August, the future Ajarn (Master) started teaching Muay Thai, and James became his very first student. Thus, Muay Thai had its start in Ontario... Kru James Hines, AKA: Big Bird James began training and studying Muay Thai in 1992. He had his first fight on May 28th, 1993 and won it by TKO (Technical Knock-Out) in the third round. He travelled to Thailand in 1994 and again in 1999, he was able to experience training with some of the most experienced competitors in the world. James began his speciality personal training business in 1999 when he created and managed a unique Muay Thai program. In 2000, he attended the Fitness Leadership program at Seneca College. James passion for Muay Thai led him to help open the "House Of Muay Thai" with Ajarn (Master) Suchart and Micheal Mak that same year! Most recently, James opened "Old School Muay Thai" at The King West Club (266 King St W) under the Siam No.1 banner. James was also sparring partner with World Champion, Clifton Brown; the training they did together was instrumental in securing the win against Manson Gibson for the North American Light Heavy Weight Championship in 2003. In 2006, James was voted Regional Representive for the newly minted Canadian Muay Thai Council for Southern Ontario. Awards - 1996 - "Excellence in Muay Thai" from Ajarn Suchart
- 2002 - "Contribution to Muay Thai"
- 2006 - Title of KRU from Ajarn Suchart and the Thai ambassador to Canada
Notable Competitions - 2003 competed for "North American Heavy Weight Championship" in Kingsford, Michegan, USA
- 2006 represented Canada in the "World Amateur Muay Thai Championship" in Bangkok, Thailand
Kru Rick Sanita 27 years old. Born Nov.14, 1979. Rick has been involved in Muay Thai for nine years, and continues to compete on both the amateur and professional levels. He has completed 20 fights and is still counting! Rick spent six months in Thailand learning and living with professional Thai fighters for 6 months. He was a Canadian athlete for 75kg weight class at the World Amateur Muay Thai Championships-Bangkok, Thailand. Rick works as a full time Muay Thai trainer; and provides both "one-on-one" training for his students and also teaches in a group setting. He teaches with Siam No.1, and is also the General Manager. Rick was awarded with Muay Thai Instructors or Kru Certificate by Master Suchart. Message from Rick: Muay Thai has changed my life: it helped me gain the focus to successfully complete High School, obtain two College Diplomas and an Undergraduate Degree. It also provided me with discipline and confidence in various aspects of my everyday life. Muay Thai has has given me the opportunity to turn something I love to do into my career. I am fortunate to be a partner in Siam with Master Suchart and work closely with him everyday. Goals: - To help Siam be successful
- Introduce Muay Thai to Toronto
- Achieve a championship title
- Win the gold medal at the World Amateur Championships
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