Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "laos"

Muay Thai "Battle at the Wat" tournament

2009-09-20T07:24:46Z

"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.

Saturday: Muay Thai "Battle at the Wat"

2009-09-19T05:51:45Z

California's amateur cruiserweight, super-middleweight and super-lightweight Muay Thai champions will be crowned Saturday at the "Battle of the Wat". Sponsored by Andy Kensamphaph, founder of Sacramento's Muay Thai Lao Kickboxing Academy, the "battle" is an International Kickboxing Federation sanctioned fight.

It takes place at Wat Lao Saoputh Buddhist Temple, 8741 Gerber Road in south Sacramento, starting at 7:30 a.m. with a "Young Warriors" youth tournament. Eighteen matches with adult fighters begin at 1 p.m. and conclude at 5 p.m.

Nine of the kick boxers are locals who trained at Kensamphahph's gym. Others competitors will travel from as far as Oregon.

The prize is a 26-inch trophy designed by Kensamphaph (pictured above). Each winner will receive a large trophy that "features the art of the Lao [Buddhist] temple, from the art of the Muay Boran," Kensamphaph said. "Basically, Muay Thai and Muay Lao [both] originally came from the [Buddhist] temple."

Muay Boran, which means "ancient boxing," focuses on speed, strength, technique and posture. It was popularized in the martial arts movie "Ong Bak," starring Tony Jaa.

All competitors receive a trophy, "but they also will gain recognition for how they perform; the public will know how they fight," Kensamphaph added.

Kensamphaph came to the United States from Laos in 1982. He taught Muay Thai for 16 years before fighting in and training others for Mix Martial Arts (MMA) cage battles.

He trained champion MMA fighter Urijah Faber, "the California Kid," in Muay Thai and Muay Lao. Muay Lao uses more points of contact than Muay Thai -- most important, fists, Kensamphaph said.

After Faber won the World Extreme Cagefighting featherweight championship, Kensamphaph stopped training him and opened the kickboxing academy about nine months ago.

The Muay Thai Lao Kickboxing Academy is in a 3,500-square-foot gym at 1510 Howe Ave., and has 260 male and female students. All the students learn to treat and respect each other as if they were family members, Kensamphaph said.

"I want people to remember how Muay Thai fighting represents [a person's] own art," he said. "I mix Muay Thai and Muay Lao, and I want to see how other people use it. Two is better than one. [By] mixing them up, it becomes a combination; it's more technical."

Battle of the Wat will be held outside, similar to traditional Sunday fights at temples in Thailand or Laos, said Muay Thai Lao instructor Jeff Baca. Thai and Lao food will be available for purchase.

General admission is $15, ringside is $25 and VIP tickets, which include a covered tent and a table, are $35. Tickets can be purchased at the door all the way up to the final fight, and all proceeds go to the Wat Lao Saoputh Buddhist Temple.

Former Refugee Family Achieves the Dream of American Home Ownership

2009-08-29T14:27:44Z

Saturday, August 29, at 10 a.m. Sacramento Habitat for Humanity and Sacramento community members will gather to dedicate the Thor family home at 2954 Connie Drive in Sacramento. The Thor family has put in 500 hours of sweat equity alongside community volunteers and other Habitat families. The Thor family home was made possible by a $75,000 sponsorship from the California State Employees Charitable Campaign. This simple, decent home includes environmentally friendly, money saving solar panels thanks to a grant from PG&E.

Habitat for Humanity serves families earning 30 percent – 50 percent of the Sacramento County area median income. According to the 2000 US Census Bureau, in Sacramento County there are more than 30,000 families in this income range who are also living in overcrowded or sub-standard conditions. The typical Habitat partner family’s annual income ranges from $22,000 – $36,000 for a family of four. Since 1985, Sacramento Habitat for Humanity has changed lives by providing families with decent, affordable housing in a safe environment to grow and thrive.

“Life is better here for our children, they have education, a home and freedom,” said Julie Thor, homeowner. Peter Thor works for Alamo Rental Car and his wife Julie works at Marshall Adult School assisting other refugees in finding jobs.

The close knit Thor family consists of two parents, six sons, one daughter and an Aunt. This family of 10 currently lives in an overcrowded 2 bedroom, 1 bath home in Oak Park. Peter and Julie Thor were both born in Laos to farming families and both of their fathers were recruited by the CIA to fight on behalf of the United States during the Vietnam War. When the war ended their parents were in fear of retaliation by the reigning government, and moved into refugee camps in Thailand. Peter and Julie were children when they arrived in the camps and lived there for over 13 years. They met in the refugee camp, got married and had their first three children there before immigrating to the United States 12 years ago.

“The Thor home brings us close to the 200th home completed for our Sacramento affiliate,” said Ken Cross, CEO of Sacramento Habitat for Humanity. Although we are proud of this accomplishment, it is not about how many homes we build, our mission is about keeping hope alive and fulfilling the dream of homeownership for low income families.”

About Sacramento Habitat for Humanity
Established in 1985, Sacramento Habitat for Humanity (SHfH) is a 501c3 non profit local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. SHfH’s mission is to build decent affordable homes in partnership with families in need, supported locally by volunteers, faith based-organizations, individual donors and corporations for the betterment of our community.