Personnel don’t expect to come face to face with a world champion when deployed overseas.
But that’s just what the soldiers and officers of Rifle Company Butterworth Rotation 144 did when they got a chance to spar with legendary Muay Thai fighter Sombat ‘Buakaw’ Banchamek.
Deployed to Thailand for Exercise Chapel Gold, Rifle Company Butterworth personnel have been living and working alongside the Royal Thai Army, focusing on jungle warfare techniques, tactical procedures, close quarters battle training and, most recently, Muay Thai.
Nicknamed the White Lotus, Buakaw is one of the best Muay Thai fighters of all time, with 280 fights, 241 wins (73 by knockout), 24 losses, 14 draws and one no contest.
When he invited Rifle Company Butterworth and Thai Army personnel onto the mats to spar with him recently, two Australians took the opportunity to draw on their own Muay Thai knowledge.
Lieutenant Felix Jenney started Muay Thai when he was a teenager and had multiple competitive fights between Sydney and Perth.
“When I was younger, I would always watch Buakaw’s fights. He was definitely someone I looked up to as a teenager, so meeting him was a pretty surreal experience,” Lieutenant Jenney said.
“I was a bit nervous before getting up on the mat with him; however, once we got into the swing of things it felt pretty normal.”
‘When I was younger, I would always watch Buakaw’s fights. He was definitely someone I looked up to as a teenager, so meeting him was a pretty surreal experience.’
Although he no longer trains professionally, Lieutenant Jenney is still passionate about the sport.
“I particularly enjoy the strategy and adrenaline involved in the sport. It instils quick decision-making, the drive to win, and forces you to remain cool, calm and collected under pressure,” he said.
“Overall, what really draws me in is the fact that Muay Thai is not easy and it pushes you both physically and mentally.”
For Corporal Ruth Clarke, a Thai linguist, it was an unforgettable experience.
“I started Muay Thai around 10 years ago now, with my first trip to Thailand being a four-week Muay Thai camp between Bangkok and Phuket,” she said.
Despite her busy schedule, she still finds time to fit in training around work, combining her knowledge of the language with the national sport.
“I love the sport because of the community that comes along with it; it’s completely unrivalled,” she said.
“It also helps that it’s a great way to get cardio in without it actually feeling like cardio.”
Like most Muay Thai fans, Corporal Clarke is a big fan of Buakaw, and admires his style of fighting.
“I was so nervous to meet him and get up on the mat. He is an absolute legend in the sport,” she said.
“Not many Muay Thai enthusiasts can say they’ve had Buakaw hold pads for them, so I had to step outside my comfort zone and embrace the nerves for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“It was such a huge experience and I’ll never forget it.
“I have plans to visit Buakaw’s gym in the future … and I would absolutely love the opportunity to spar with him.”
