Muay Thai is Practiced Here!

“I grabbed the biggest guy and gave him a knee to the stomach, then I did a couple roundhouse kicks to his head. he landed in the bushes, then they all ran away,”

10 year old Megan Paulette says about her real-life self-defense debut against three bullies. Paulette practices Thailand’s rugged art of Muay Thai.

“Megan is very determined and works hard to perfect her techniques.”

Megan and Robinson train every Sunday in her back yard, leaving Chris with the rest of the week to train for his own fights.

A resident of San Diego, Robinson works out at the Black Tiger Muay Thai school and is one of a growing number of Americans who have joined the ranks of some of the toughest fighters in the world. For almost two years, Tobinson has been training in Muay Thai kickboxing.

Muay Thai in the Ring

For the uninitiated, Muay Thai kickboxing is one of the most physically demanding and brutal of all the martial arts. This national sport of Thailand features fights that display a frightening array of weaponry and unmatched ferocity. Using elbows, knees, fists and kicks to the legs, thighs, ribs, and stomach, this is hardly a sport for wimps.

“When I was 19 I trained in kung-fu, but that was just for forms,” says Robinson. “I started training Muay Thai to learn how to fight because it’s very tough and very direct.”

Having a tough pair of shins is a must in this art. The legs are used as both offensive and defensive weapons and can be very effective if properly conditioned. After six months of kicking a heavy bag, Robinson was ready to rumble. His debut was a “smoker fight,” which in kickboxing jargon means a non-professional bout. The combatants must wear protective pads on their hands and feet.

[box style=”doc”]For the uninitiated, Muay Thai kickboxing is one of the most physically demanding and brutal of all the martial arts. This national sport of Thailand features fights that display a frightening array of weaponry and unmatched ferocity. Using elbows, knees, fists and kicks to the legs, thighs, ribs, and stomach, this is hardly a sport for wimps. “It was my first fight and I was beating my opponent when I threw a leg kick at him, and I put everything into it,” says Robinson. “He crossed over and bent his knee and I hit the point of his knee with my shin and really hurt my leg.”[/box]

Robinson won his first non-professional fight, but the cost of victory was high. His bruised shin bone forced him to lay off the heavy bag for about three months. However, this injury turned out to be a blessing in disguise, according to the always positive fighter.

“The good thing is, I got a mean calcium deposit from that injury and now I don’t feel anything,” he says.

Last April, Robinson was able to put his new calcium deposit to use as he entered the ring for his first professional fight. Tom Jones was the man Robinson squared off with and he found out first hand just how hard Robinson’s leg was when their kicks collided.

“We kicked each other at the same time and he got a hairline fracture in his leg,” says Robinson. “When he got out of the ring he couldn’t walk anymore and they had to carry him back to the dressing room.”

Attesting to the determination and sheer guts of a Muay Thai fighter, even with a broken leg Jones went on to win the fight.

“I lost that fight, but it was like I won because of what I learned during the fight. If it weren’t for the fact that I lost, I would probably be making the same mistakes I used to do.”

Robinson adjusted his stance and developed a stronger kick and learned how to be more relaxed. Armed with some new moves, Robinson entered the ring for his second professional fight. Amidst a flurry of kicks and punches he soundly defeated his Japanese opponent.

“I was really relaxed and in good shape and just stayed focused,” says Robinson about his victory. “My kicks and punches did what they were suppose to do. I didn’t realize he was hurt as bad as he was until after the fight.”

In the ring, Robinson is a lean, mean Muay Thai kickboxing machine. By contrast, after the gloves come off, this 24- year old fighter is a well mannered, soft-spoken individual, the complete opposite of his fighting persona.

His family lives in Houston Texas, and his sport is facing mixed reviews from his parents.

“My dad thinks its okay, but my mom is not to thrilled about it. She doesn’t want me to get hurt while I’m still in school,” Robinson says with a chuckle.

In addition to being an aspiring fighter, Robinson is also a Senior at San Diego State majoring in kinesiology. Upon graduating he plans to attend graduate school at U.C.I.A.

Enhances Focus

Like many martial artists, Robinson claims that his Muay Thai training enhances his focus, thus assisting him in his studies.

“I have no free time. So when I have to train. I have to train, and when I need to study I have to study, so there isn’t any time to play, “Robinson says about his schedule. “You have to be focused if you want to do well and Muay Thai gives me the discipline to accomplish my goals.

“Muay Thai keeps me sane,” Robinson concludes. “If I couldn’t do it, I would go crazy.”

As for Megan, not surprisingly bullies steer clear of her.

Author Contact Info: Terry Wilson