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 "Block the leg!  Kick the inside!  Knee, knee!"

The fervor of audience commentary, at times simultaneously, made it difficult to hear individual commentary, unless it quieted down for a moment.  

On Saturday, Sept. 19, male and female warriors sparred in front of an energetic audience at the first amateur "Muay Thai Origins: Battle at the Wat" tournament in South Sacramento. 

Promoted and sponsored by Andy Kensamphaph, founder of Sacramento's Muay Thai Lao Kickboxing Academy, the event took place at Wat Lao Saoputh Buddhist Temple in South Sacramento.  As a non-profit fundraiser, all proceeds went to the temple.

South Sacramento resident Tommy Prongfah brought his children to show them traditional Muay Thai, and support the event.  Prongfah hopes to enroll his children into Kensamphaph's Muay Thai Lao gym the following year.

"I wanted to support the cause," he said, "it seemed like good entertainment and [we] wanted to have a good time."

Muay Thai, or "art of eight limbs," includes hands, elbows, knees, and feet.  By International Kickboxing Federation rules, Amateur Thai boxing bouts last for three rounds of two minutes.  Thai boxing shorts are mandatory, as are gum shields and head guards.  Thai fighters enter the ring wearing traditional garb — the mongkon, a circular headband, and a prajed, or woven armbands. The headband is removed before the beginning of the match.

Punches, kicks, and knee strikes are all allowed in amateur bouts.  Elbow strikes to the head are only allowed in professional matches.

The Battle was held outdoors behind the actual temple, under a large tent canopy.  About 500 people were in attendance, which increased by a few hundred more throughout the day.  

"[This type] is the traditional temple Sunday fights in Southeast Asia," said Kensamphaph.  The family orientated atmosphere also contributes to these traditions, said Kensamphaph.

Along the outside of the tent were health and fitness training booths by Body Kore, selling male and female apparel.  Food vendors cooked Traditional Lao and Thai cuisine, such as chicken thighs with sticky rice, which filled the air with barbeque smoke.  Attendees could lounge at tables and benches.  No alcohol was allowed on site.

The event kicked off with a "Young Warrior's" youth tournament at 8:30 a.m.  All youths were between the ages of five and fifteen years old.

"It has been our tradition to start children at an early age in competition to develop good sportsmanship and confidence," according to the Muay Thai Lao website.  All matches were purely for exhibition, with no winners or losers.  All demonstrations were approved by The California State Athletic Commission.

The adult tournament began at 1 p.m, with each winner receiving a 26-inch trophy designed by Kensamphaph.  Eighteen fights were scheduled with weight classes to include — featherweight (female), super lightweight, light middleweight, welterweight, cruiserweight, and heavy weight. 

Jacob Lomomto, 19, from Main Street Kickboxing in Hollister, and Josh Krestschmann, 28, from Muay Thai Lao in Sacramento, light middleweights, were first to fight.  Despite losing to a TKO after 1:42 in the first round, Lomanto enjoyed his fighting experience.

"I have only been fighting for two and a half to three years," Lomanto said, "once I tried Muay Thai I was hooked.  [I was] disappointed today, [but] I still want to see where [competition fighting] takes me." he said.

Cassandra Denies, from Condition and Competition in San Jose, and Gladys Malave, from Muay Thai Lao in Sacramento, featherweights, got the crowd to its feet with thunderous applause.  Malave won by majority decision by the officials after three rounds.  This made her second amateur bout, and first actual win.  She held her trophy proudly while posing for photographers.  

"[Denies] had lots of experience, [but] I worked hard." she said, "I gave it my all."

Kensamphaph's new students were also in attendance to support Muay Thai Lao.  Nicole Douglas of Sacramento enjoyed watching Malave fight.

"I have only been [training] for a month and a half." she said, "Initially it was for fitness, now I want to learn style.  There is [still] a lot to learn."

Medical personnel were needed during the light cruiserweight fight between Johnathan Samuals and Edward Mukhamshin.  Samuals received a hard blow to the head by Mukhamshin. Paramedics were needed, but refused to comment on whether or not he received a concussion.  One man also complained of shortness of breath, but did not need to be taken to the hospital.

The Battle concluded at 5 p.m.  All of Kensamphaph's students from Muay Thai Lao won their respective matches.  

The International Kickboxing Federation website can be located here.

Andy Kensamphaph's Muay Thai Lao Kickboxing Academy website can be located here.

Photos courtesy of Jonathan Mendick.