INTERVIEW OF SYLVIE VON DUUGLAS-ITTU

By Serge TREFEU (2019)

SERGE TREFEU: Hello Sylvie how are you?

SYLVIE VON DUUGLAS-ITTU : I’m great. Happy to talk with you, you’ve covered so much of the Muay Thai of Thailand

You were born and grew up in the United States in which city?

I was born and raised in Boulder, Colorado. It’s a beautiful valley and I got to be outdoors a lot as a child

How old are you ?

35

At what age did you start boxing?

I started training at 24 and had my first fight at 25

How did you discover boxing?

My husband introduced me to the style through cinema, but I really fell in love with Muay Thai when I met my first teacher, Master K in 2008

You were rather a teenage brawler or not at all?

Not at all. I have always been pretty quiet and am an introvert. I still prefer to be quiet and alone much of the time

Did you practice other sports before doing boxing?

As a kid I played soccer, but that’s the only competitive sport I ever engaged in

Which gym did you start and with which coach?

My first teacher was a 70-year-old Thai man, teaching students one-on-one in his basement in New Jersey. His name is Kumron Vaitayanon and goes by “Master K” to his students. I trained alone with him

Were there a lot of Thai boxing gyms in your area?

Not at all! I had to drive 1 hour in each direction, and cross state lines, to train with Master K. We lived in a rural area of New York near the woods. Muay Thai was very far from us

What attracted you to the Muay Thai, a sport that is considered violent?

The movements were like no other Martial Art I’d ever seen. They were so beautiful and powerful. I loved the ethic of the art that every move is designed to end the fight, it’s not a “points battle” at it's heart. It’s about dominance and grace

The Muay Thai is well-developed in the United States? Are there many events?

I’m not sure. It wasn’t when I left 7 years ago but there are many people working hard to unify and grow the sport in the US. But it has a much shorter history in America than other places, like France for example, so we have a long way to go and the sport is already changing all over the world, including Thailand...

When I was still in the US there were not many events. But there seem to be more now. One of the big reasons why I left to move to Thailand is that it was nearly impossible to find fights anywhere near my size (I’m 46 kgs) and opportunity to fight often just isn’t there yet

You did your first fights in the United States, How it passed?

My first fight was at a national championship tournament and there were only 3 fighters in my category. I had very little experience, I had only sparred twice before this fight because Master K was a traditional older Thai man and sparring with him did not seem appropriate for him, and I had no teammates. I lost on points and was very much below the skill of my opponent, but I loved it. I knew right then I wanted to keep fighting !

Which foreign champions have inspired you for the rest of your career?

John Wayne Parr was very supportive of me from online communication in the beginning, which has certainly influenced my path. I like Skarbowsky’s attitude. But I don’t really watch foreign fighters

And the Thai champions?

Oh! Many of the Golden Age Legends inspire me. Karuhat Sor Supawan, Dieselnoi Chor Tanasukarn, Yodkhupon Sittraipum, Chatchai Sasakul and Kaensak Sor Ploenjit have had the most impact on me. But Sagat Petchyindee, Namkabuan Nongkipahayuth, Hippy Singmanee, Langsuan Panyutapum, Samson Isaan, Burklerk Pinsinchai and Rambaa Somdet have been inspirations as well, each in their own way. And, I’ve been inspired by Thai female champions Sawsing Sor Sopit, who fights beautifully with so much heart, and Thanonchanok Kaewsamrit who I have had the opportunity to fight 8 times now and she always challenges me

What year were you first in Thailand?

My husband and I first came for a short time in 2010, but we moved here in 2012 and haven’t left since

How was your first experience in Thailand?

I loved it. Being able to train and experience Muay Thai in the context of Thai culture and life made me immediately and absolutely sure that Thailand was the only place for me to pursue my love of this art

In which gym did you train for the first time?

Lanna Muay Thai (Kiatbusaba) in Chiang Mai was my first gym in Thailand

Did you live in the gym?

No, I lived in an apartment down the street

As a fighting girl, you had no problem training in this gym Thai?

That’s a complicated answer. There were many ways in which I was included and welcomed in the gym. Lanna Muay Thai, and its founder Andy Thomson had a long history of making room for western female fighters, and my time at the gym was special to me. I was embraced in many ways. But there were also strong ways in which no woman can be included and welcomed fully into that gym, or maybe any gym, and those problems will take many years to change on a cultural level. It’s true in the west as well, but to different degrees. One of the specific difficulties at the time was that I was barred from training in the “male” ring, which happened to be where most of the clinch training was done. This, as well as other cultural elements, kept me from developing as a clinch fighter in those early years in Thailand...

In which gym do you train today?

I train at Petchrungruang Gym in Pattaya

A PART OF TEAM PETCHRUNGRUANG GYM

SYLVIE FIGHT UNDER THE NAME OF "SYLVIE PETCHRUNGRUANG"

Can you describe a typical day of training?

Morning is a 10 Km run, bagwork and conditioning. Evening training is padwork, bagwork, clinching, sparring and conditioning. I also sometimes visit other gyms to get sparring, lately I’ve been sparring at Rambaa Somdet’s gym between my regular Petchrungruang sessions, because there may not be suitable partners available for me at my own gym sometimes, and there is always benefit from more sparring

Do you sparring with male fighters?

Yes. I’m the only woman at my gym most of the time so all my training partners are Thai boys. It's the same at Rambaa’s gym with my extra work

What techniques do you work the most and what do you like doing in the ring?

I clinch and knee

What kind of fighter are you? Fimeuu? Muaymat? Muaybouk? Muaysok? Muaykhao?

Muay Khao. My nickname in Thai newspapers is “Sao Nakleng Khao” or Miss Gangster Knee

Do you remember your first fight in Thailand?

Yes, it was short as I won by knee KO in the early rounds. It was only my second fight ever and, having lost my first fight, I had never experienced much of what I was able to experience in that fight, even though it was shorter due to the KO

How much did you fight?

My pro record is currently 148-67-9. I have several draws on my record because I also fight in the style of Kard Chuek, which is with no gloves (Rope wraps on the fists) and there are no points or judges, you can only win or lose by KO, otherwise it is a draw

How many wins by knockout?

78 KOs

In which category do you fight?

I should fight at 45 kg and my natural weight is 46-47 kg, but I do not have regular opponents in this category, so almost always I fight up in weight, giving up usually 4-6 kg and sometimes as much as 14 kg!

You did the incredible number of 200 professional fights in Thailand, how many times a month did you fight to reach that combat record?

Yes, I have fought more times in Thailand than any other westerner, man or woman (Already 222 times in the country now). On average I fought 36 times per year and this past year has been my slowest with only 27 fights...

This fight number seems crazy, because only the Thais fighters male do as much fighting, there are very few foreign fighters who can boast of having made at least 100 fights in Thailand, you are proud to hold this record?

In research I found only one man to have fought over 100 times in Thailand, Jovan Stojanovski. There may be others, but when I looked into possible others most seemed exaggerated – if you know of any I’d love to include them in my article on the subject. I am proud to hold this record, not because of the numbers themselves or being the first, but because it changes how people think about possibilities for themselves, and especially women. But men too. I’ve seen it change how people make decisions for their own fighting – they reach farther, aim for more opportunity for themselves, attempt to fight multiple times when in Thailand instead of just once or twice. I’m proud of that part. It’s one thing to be the first to do something, but it’s a greater pride to make sure you’re not the last to do something. Changing what people think is not that hard, but changing how people think is really valuable

Today, there is many fighters "Facebook" who invent imaginary careers with titles and improbable fights, is what that is for it that you practically filmed in video all your fights in Thailand, to show that you are a real fighter girl?

I didn’t start filming as a way to prove anything, but rather because I knew right away that the opportunities I had were valuable and the only way to share them was to document them. People have to see you in what you are doing, even when you fail, to be inspired and be a part of it.

When I started filming and posting my fights almost every female fighter I knew hid video of their fights. Everyone was afraid to be “studied” by future opponents by having video. So many people told me to not post my fights, as a way to have advantages against my future opponents. But it was more important to learn and share than it was to win, or pretend like there’s some big advantage to being secretive.

And then when I got to Thailand it was important to me to document the names and faces of my Thai opponents as well, because so many westerners come to Thailand and only fight “a Thai,” never giving any humanity or credit to their opponents. So sharing my fights was also about sharing female Thai fighters.

So it’s been central to me from the start, to show the whole process and not just the “highlights.” I would say that my ambition to fight so many fights did grow out of the fact that for women there are no real Lumpinee Stadium level goals. Most world titles are just promotional hype, so there was nowhere to shoot for. The kind of fighter I want to become requires a powerful, almost unreachable goal, so I’ve never cared about belts. Filming my fights, and fighting as much as I possibly can, breaking those records is my way of reaching higher

Are not you afraid of your physical health by fighting so often?

I don’t fear for my physical health either in fighting or if I were not a fighter

You often made hard fights with openings to faces, you had a lot of stitches?

Yes, I have received more than 200 stitches, most of them in my face and around my scalp in my hair. It comes from being a Muay Khao fighter, and fighting opponents so much bigger than myself...

In which stadiums did you fight the most?

Probably Thapae Stadium in Chiang Mai, although I travel all around Thailand for my fights...

You fought a lot in the Thai provinces?

I’ve been to many areas of Thailand for fights, sometimes in a field in the middle of nowhere and sometimes at a city center. Everywhere. In the more rural provinces of Thailand I’ve probably fought 30 times, I think

What do you think of the prohibition of fighting for women in the big stadiums of Bangkok?

I think Thai culture is holding on to these prohibitions for reasons that are not actually important to Thai people. Many don’t even know that these prohibitions exist – even men who have spent their whole lives in Muay Thai – and those who do uphold the prohibition often don’t know why it’s there.

I believe that it is Thai culture to not want to be the first one to make a change, but once someone – just one promoter – goes first, others will follow with no problem. Someone just has to be brave once...

Which Thai female fighters did you face?

I’ve had more than 100 opponents and you can see their names on my “complete fight record”. Notable names are Thanonchanok Kaewsamrit, Mary Verona Farm, Hongkaw Sor Sayan, Nong Biew Tapteeratham, Loma Lookboonmee, Stamp Fairtex.

Thai World Champions I have beaten include: Thanonchanok Kaewsamrit, Gulapdam RR Gilalampang, Ticha RR Gila Khorat, Duangdaonoi Looklongtan, and Gaengaew Gor Glomgliow

And foreign women?

I have fought very few foreign women, only 9 fights in America and a few of those were rematches. A notable name is Japanese World Champion Saya Ito, who I defeated on the Queen’s Birthday at Sanam Luang in 2014

What do you think of Thai female fighters?

Thai female fighters are amazing, overall the best female fighters in the world. I would say that the average Thai female fighter is better than the average western or Japanese fighter, and that the best Thai female fighters when they are in their peak are the best there are. I lot of this gets lost on foreign eyes because Thai scoring is not well understood in the west, and Thai female fighters fight deeply in that aesthetic. They often are not power fighters but Fimeu (Technical) is a common style that is very well performed by Thai women fighters.

The very best female fighters though, after they have become stars at age 16 or so, lack opportunities, so often end up not fighting or even training often. There can be a drop in skill level or focus as fight opportunities become infrequent or responsibilities toward family or school take priority.

This keeps us from being able to see what they could become, unlike their male counterparts who enter into Lumpinee and Rajadamnern stadia because for men there is financial opportunity there. The lack of women’s opportunities and futures in Muay Thai shapes how Thai women fight more than many might acknowledge. They are the best in the world, but they really could be so much better if given the opportunity to become so...

So you prefer to fight Thai female fighters instead of foreign female fighters?

Yes, Thai women are the best fighters

Who are you the best Thai female fighters in your category today?

There is nobody who really the best in my weight category. Gulapdam won the 100 lb WPMF belt, but I don’t think they want me to fight her. They have me fight her much larger and accomplished gymmate Thanonchanok usually.

At 45 kilos right now there is maybe Gulapdam and also Faa Chiangrai, who I’ve fought many times, and is a very skilled fighter.

A weight class above me now is Loma who mostly has transitioned to MMA (she used to be the best at 45 kg, but has moved up), and Stamp Fairtex who fights for ONE has really improved. Lommanee isn’t fighting much, but she’s one of the best at 48 kg. Nong Biew and Thanonchanok I think fight at a weight class higher, around 52 kg

You manage to live from your fights in Thailand?

No, I do not earn enough from fighting to live off of it, I just try to break even when I travel to a fight if I can. By the time travel and hotel is included I often have lost money. I am instead very importantly supported by my readers and fans on Patreon (Patreon is a participatory financing platform in English based in San Francisco), and also by my sponsors. My patrons make everything I do possible

What are the biggest purses you have won?

20,000 Baht a few times over the years, usually televised shows

You live with your husband, is he a Thai, is he a boxer too?

My husband is American, we came to Thailand together. He doesn’t fight but has seen all of my process and understands Muay Thai at a very high level

What do you like most about Thailand after Muay Thai?

I love Thai culture, Thai language, Thai food, but I love individual Thai people who are my friends and mentors. They mean a great deal to me

You have a special anecdote with boxing to tell us who arrived in Thailand?

I’m not sure I understand the question. I’ve had so many adventures and wonderful things happen it would be impossible to recall one, to tell the truth. I’ve written over 1,000 articles on my blog 8limbs.us, I’m sure many of them are there!

What are the titles you have won?

I’ve only had the chance to fight for one world title, but it was a WMC title 3 weight classes above my weight.

Lessor Thailand belts: Queen’s Cup (46 kg), Chon Buri Buffalo Race Festival (47 kg and 48 kg), Sriracha Stadium (50 kg), Thepprasit Stadium (45 kg and 47 kg), Sattahip Loi Krathong Festival (52 kg), Muay Siam 105 lb Northern Thailand Champion de facto champion (105 lbs)

CHAMPION OF STADIUMS THEPPRASIT AND SRIRACHA

MUAY SIAM CHAMPION OF NORTHERN THAILAND

Would you like to come to fight in France one day?

I’m not really interested in fighting outside of Thailand. The competition and path here is so vast, and I still have so much to accomplish. I turn down almost all offers to fight outside of the country.

But if the opportunity were very interesting, I’d look at it on a case by case basis. On the other hand if Muay Thai is accepted as an Olympic Sport I have a very strong desire to fight in Paris in 2024!

Do you know French champions of today and old?

France has had some very influential contributions to Muay Thai! Skarbowsky and Danny Bill come to mind

And French women champions?

Anissa Meksen is very famous

What is your best boxing memory so far?

Oh, I have so many wonderful memories. Having my heroes, Karuhat and Dieselnoi corner for me at fights. Really small and seemingly unimportant moments with my trainers. Talking about Muay Thai with my husband, too many...

SYLVIE VON DUUGLAS-ITTU WITH MASTER KARUHAT SOR SUPAWAN

TRAINING UNDER THE EXPERT EYE OF THE GREAT CHAMPION KARUHAT

And the worst ?

The worst I forget already...

Your hardest fight in your career?

The hardest fight is always the one I’m facing, because you have to confront yourself in the ring every single time you step in there. The opponent makes this mirror look better or worse in your eyes, but the hard part is really just yourself

What are the most difficult obstacles that you met to become a professional fighter of Muay Thai in Thailand?

It wasn’t hard to become a professional fighter. You just have to create the opportunity and then keep creating more

Can you tell us about the "Sak Yant" you have on the body, what Master made you these mystical tattoos?

My Sak Yant are all by Arjan Pi Bangkrating. They have each been points of focus for me, aspects of who I want to be or believe I can be, and the tattoo is a symbol on which to meditate and create that in myself.

I’ve written a lot about my sak yant and their process. Each time I take one I am attempting a transformation

It's not common the women who are tattooed Sak Yant, you made these tattoos to give yourself a spiritual strength on the boxing ring?

Sak Yant are not uncommon for women in Thailand at all (Although many women may keep them covered), but the particular Yant that I have are unusual for women to have. All Yant are for protection and luck, which are good for any lifestyle, but the Yant I have bestow powers that are particular to the needs of a fighter and elements of power and authority that are typically reserved for men in positions like Military, Police, etc.

I have a constellation of 8 Yant that Arjan Pi gave to me all at once and those are specific for Muay Thai, a Wicha he learned from his own teacher, Arjan O

SYLVIE VON DUUGLAS-ITTU WITH HIS TATTOO MASTER

You are one truth enthusiast of Muay Thai because you practise your sport ardently. But you made so many big articles on this Thai Martial Art. You can speak to us of your web site "8LimbsUs"?

I am by nature a writer. I just always have found it meaningful and important to express myself this way and what I was experiencing in Muay Thai from the very start was profound and hard to understand, so I used writing as a way to process it for myself. And, again, I made it public because it seemed important to share with others, even when it was only my husband and parents reading it.

It just grew with me and 8Limbs.Us was created through crowd funding when we first moved to Thailand, for the purpose of having a nexus point where all my writings and video could be found together. This has grown so much now most of my most detailed writing and video is now being published on Patreon " patreon.com/sylviemuay " which hopefully will be influencing readers and viewers for many years to come

Your magazine puts, with shine, in showcase the female boxers in Thailand, you think that generally the media on Muay Thai in the world don't speak enough on female champions of Muay Thai?

Absolutely, women in Muay Thai and sports in general are not given the coverage that they deserve or need. We need to create it ourselves, tell our own stories and the stories of others, otherwise there will be no story...

You are very also interested in the champions of Muay Thai of the 70s, 80 and 90, it's important for you to speak about this glorious period in the story of Muay Thai?

This period is considered the Golden Age of Muay Thai and, for those who are old enough to have witnessed it first-hand or have made the effort to study it through the video and media that remains from that time, there is no misunderstanding for why I am interested in this time. But I’m not old enough to have witnessed it first-hand and these fighters are getting older. Their techniques and stories are at risk of disappearing as Muay Thai changes.

The legends of the past all tell me that the Muay Thai they knew is already gone. It’s natural for all arts and sports to change, it’s part of being a living art, but preserving the techniques, the stories, and the men from that time is something I feel is incredibly important and is part of my duty and responsibility to Muay Thai. This is why I’m filming the Muay Thai Library on Patreon, documenting and archiving not only the techniques, but the incredible men who lived them. I have almost 60 hours of video with them, I hope for at least 100 hours, something that might be of value 20 years or 50 years from now

What are your plans for 2019?

I’m going to be fighting as much as I can, trying to keep up the rate necessary to reach 471 fights in the next 10 years. I chose that number because it is the highest recorded number of professional fights by anyone in history.

It was accomplished by an American boxer from the 1920s, named Glen Wickwar. I’m trying to honor his achievement by surpassing it.

I am also following Muay Thai’s entry into the Olympics and aim to represent my country, as well as my path in Thailand, at the Olympic Games in 2024. And this year I will continue documenting the greatest fighters and teachers of Thailand for the Muay Thai Library, writing and documenting my own process, and always reaching toward my own improvement. And I hope to create more opportunities for Thai female fighters in the realm of teaching Muay Thai internationally

Have you already done more than 200 fights? Your next fight?

I just had my 233rd fight and have a few fights lined up for the end of the month and the start of next month. Sometimes they fall through, sometimes one comes up unexpectedly…

I just keep moving to the next

Do you want to add something?

I really appreciate the work that you’ve done over the years with Siam Fight Mag, Serge. The interviews you’ve done with the best fighters of Thailand is a resource that I’ve returned to many times and I just want to say thank you. I’m honored and excited to be included, as well!

Thank you very much for this interview and Chookdee for your fight!

Sylvie Von Duuglas-Ittu is a woman wich commands admiration. Her determination and exceptional career in the boxing world in Thailand is unique. In seven years, on Thai lands, it has reached an incredible record of 223 professional fights in Muay Thai. With 222 professional fights in Thailand and one professional fight in Laos. Previously, in the United States, she had fought nine amateur fights in Muay Thai and one amateur fight in Boxing.

THIS IS NOT AN AMATEUR FIGHT WITH PROTECTION THAT SYLVIE VON DUUGLAS-ITTU DID. BUT PROFESSIONAL FIGHTS WITH POKE. ITS NUMEROUS FACE INJURIES PROVE IT

No foreign fighter in the history of Muay Thai has managed to do what she is doing.

To date, there are just two or three foreign fighters who have surpassed one hundred professional fights in Thailand. The first is the Canadian Jovan Stojanovski who made 110 professional fights in Thailand during the 90s and 2000s, he faced such legends as Somrak Kamsing and Samkor Kietmontep.

The other fighter is the famous Belgian champion Youssef Boughanem who is the only foreigner to have conquered three belts of the big stadiums of Bangkok, the belt of the stadium of Lumpinee (2018), the belt of the stadium of Radja (2016) and the belt of the stadium of Omnoï (2015). Youssef Boughanem has made nearly 150 professional fights in Thailand. Yassine Boughanem counts as many fights as his big brother. At the beginning of their career, they sometimes fought every week in the Thai provinces!

French champion Antoine Pinto, who has been living in Thailand for 16 years, also has more than 100 professional fights in Thailand.

Thai fighters often have a fight record with an incredible number of fights. As for example the champions Somrak Kamsing (500 fights, 300 in Muay Thai, 200 in Boxing), Changpuek Kiatsongkrit (500 fights), Jomhod Eminent Air (500 fights), Fahsuchon Sit O (500 fights), Boonlay Sor Thanikul (400 fights), Sam-A Thor Rattanakiat (400 fights), Luknimit Singklongsi (400 fights), Ekapon Junk (370 fights), Jomhod Kiatadisak (360 fights), Singdam Kiatmuu9 (340 fights), Saenchai Sor Kingstar (335 fights), Petchboonchu FA Group (330 fights), Nong O Kayanghadao (320 fights), Sagat Petchyindee (317 fights), Krongsak Boranrat (300 fights), Wangchannoi Sor Palangchai (300 fights), Namsaknoi Yudthagarngamtorn (300 fights), Buakaw Por Pramuk (300 fights), Pajonsuk Lookprabat (300 fights), Samkor Kietmontep (300 fights), Fahmongkol Sor Jor Danrayong (300 fights), Kongtoranee Payakaroon (274 fights), Coban Lookchaomaesaitong (270 fights), Kongsak Sitboonmee (260 fights), Sakmongkol Sitchuchok (254 fights), Chamophet Ha Phalang (250 fights), Kaensak Sor Ploenchit (250 fights), Chanchai Sor Tamrangsi (250 fights), Orono Por Muang Ubon (250 fights).

Officially, it's very difficult to know exactly the number of fights of a Thai champion. Because at the beginning of their career, during their childhood, they often fight in village feasts in the countryside where the official count of fights is not really identify. It's only from the moment they fight in a stadium that we can know exactly how many they fought. Otherwise, you have to rely on the good faith of the fighter who pronounces his compliments...

But what is remembered above all on the fight record of a career of a boxer, it is not the amount of fight he has done but the quality of the opponents he has beaten. The great champion Dieselnoi Ha Phalang did only "122" fights but he beat all the greatest legends of his time as Vicharnoi Porntawee, Pohsai Sittiboonlert, Kaopong Sittichoochai, Sagad Petchyindee, Samart Payakaroon, Padejsuek Pisanurachan, Nonekai Sor Prapassorn, Krongsak Prakong Boranrat, Raktear Muangsurin.

The phenomenal American fighter Sylvie Petchrungruang do not just have done 222 professional fights in Thailand, which is already an accomplishment. His goal, in Muay Thai, it’s like reaching the top of Mount Everest. She wants to succeed in more than 471 professional fights (Official record held by the American Glen Wickwar). This performance could be inscribed forever in the famous “Guinness Book of Records”!

Her nickname in Thailand is "Sao Nakleng Khao" (Miss Gangster blow of knees) because she's a formidable fighter with knee stroke techniques. But it is also called by the Thai fans "Rambo" for his valor in the fight, Rambo in reference to the great champion Pongsiree "Rambo" Ruamrudee, a dangerous Muay Bouk (Fighter who don't move back).

SYLVIE PETCHRUNGRUANG IN THE THAIS MAGAZINES

Sylvie Petchrungruang defeated champions like Faa Chiang Rai Sor Sakunthong (WBC World Champion), Thanonchanok Kaewsamrit (WPMF World Champion), Gulapdam RR Gilalampang (WPMF World Champion) victory by KO, Ticha RR Gila Khorat (World Champion WMC), Duangdaonoi Looklongtan (WPMF World Champion), Saya Ito (WPMF World Champion), Gaengaew Gor Glomgliow (WPMF World Champion)!

SYLVIE PETCHRUNGRUANG AGAINST THANONCHANOK KAEWSAMRIT

SYLVIE PETCHRUNGRUANG AGAINST DUANGDAONOI LOOKLONGTAN

Sylvie Petchrungruang met on December 5, 2016, at King's Birtday in Bangkok, the champion Mary Verona Farm for the world belt WMC in - 52 Kg. The American lost in points the match against the Thai who weighed seven kilos more than she...

SYLVIE PETCHRUNGRUANG AGAINST MARY VERONA FARM, WMC WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Sao Nakleng Khao also faced the champions Zaza Sor Aree (WPMF World Champion), Loma Lookboonmee (S1 World Champion), Phetyodying Mor Ratchapatjombueng (WBC World Champion), Nong Biew (WPMF World Champion), Pakthongchai (WMC World Champion), Star Sor Klinmee (WMC and WPMF World Champion), Nongphet Kor Saklamphun (WBC and S1 World Champion).

SYLVIE PETCHRUNGRUANG HAS FACED FOUR TIMES THE GREAT CHAMPION LOMA LOOKBOONMEE

She has often been coached by ring legends like Langsuan Phanyuthaphum, Dieselnoi Ha Phalang, Karuhat Sor Supawan, as well as stars Kem Sitsongpeenong and Yodwicha Por Boonsit.

LESSON TO PAOS WITH MASTER BURLEK PINSINCHAÏ

SPARRING WITH MASTER DIESELNOI HA PHALANG

SYLVIE PETCHRUNGRUANG WITH THE OLD STAR OF RINGS SAGAT PETCHYINDEE

SYLVIE PETCHRUNGRUANG WITH THE GREAT CHAMPION THAILAND PINSINCHAÏ

SYLVIE PETCHRUNGRUANG WITH MASTER YODKHUNPON SITTRAIPHUM

SYLVIE PETCHRUNGRUANG HAS FOUGHT SEVERAL TIMES IN KARD CHUEK STYLE (WITHOUT GLOVES)

Sylvie Von Duuglas-Ittu was voted "Best Boxer of the Year" in 2015 and 2017 by Awakening Fight Magazine. To know that the French star Anissa Meksen received this same trophy in 2014.

A superb documentary was made about this extraordinary girl fighter, a documentary called "Under The Rope" The Story of Muay Thai Fighter Sylvie Von Duuglas-Ittu.

« UNDER THE ROPE THE STORY OF MUAY THAI FIGHTER SYLVIE VON DUUGLAS-ITTU »

« Under the rope » refers to the fact that traditionally, Thai female boxers have to enter the ring crawling under the lowest rope, while the men step over the top rope.

Because female boxing in Thailand is still far from being equal with that practiced by men. Because of some cultural and religious traditions of the country that put a curb on this equality.

The Muay Thai is a very hard sport that involves eight points of contact on the body, it includes practices related to superstition and magical beliefs. These beliefs say that the head is the highest and most sacred part of the body. On the other hand, menstruation is considered harmful to protective magic, so even when they don’t have their period, women cannot pass over the top rope of the ring because they could disrupt blessings.

In some boxing camps and stadiums of the country these beliefs are pushed even further, women are not allowed to touch the ropes of the ring, nor to rise in the ring.

In the four largest stadiums of Thailand that are in the capital in Bangkok, the stadium of Lumpinee (Female fights are sometimes organized in the stadium of Lumpinee but outside the stadium, a ring is mounted on the parking stadium), the Ratchadamnoen stadium, the TV7 stadium and the Omnoï stadium (Located in the city of Samut Prakarn 30 km from Bangkok) female fighting is forbidden.

The Thai female champions can not hope one day to win the most prestigious titles of these stadiums. Without fighting in the biggest stadiums in the country, it will be impossible for a woman to become a big Muay Thai star in Thailand.

Thai female boxers have no other way than to follow these rules to pay tribute to the former masters of Muay Thai as part of their culture and tradition. Although these rules were designed for male boxers.

This is a big disadvantage for a professional boxer’s career because female athletes have a great deal of difficulty being accepted by commercial sponsors to support their fights. The world of boxing in Thailand is very dependent on big industrial sponsors who still think that boxing is a sport only for men.

It's all these cultural barriers that the American girl is in the process of overthrow at her level in the country of Muay Thai. She deserves great respect for the considerable energy she provides every day for the positive evolution of the female Muay Thai (Sylvie explains in detail the history and system of female boxing in Thailand in many articles she has written).

Also, besides being an extraordinary fighter, Sylvie Von Duuglas-Ittu was also voted "Best Journalist of the Year" in 2014, 2016 and 2017 by Awakening Fight Magazine for her web magazine "8LimbsUs" which provides for many years, there has been a lot of information about female Muay Thai practiced in Thailand and reports on the great legends of Muay Thai.

The website on the Muay Thai of Sylvie Von Duuglas-Ittu «8LimbsUs»:

http://8limbs.us/

Patreon link of Sylvie Von Duuglas-Ittu:

patreon.com/sylviemuay

This passionate of Thai ancestral fighting Art has made dozens of technical videos with the biggest names in the history of Muay Thai. Videos that are available on in the Net for all lovers of authentic Muay Thai. Here are a few :

KNEE TECHNIQUE WITH DIESELNOI HA PHALANG (LUMPINEE CHAMPION, BEST BOXER OF THE YEAR 1982)

TRAINING BAG WITH LANGSUAN PHANYUTHAPUM (LUMPINEE CHAMPION, BEST BOXER OF THE YEAR 1987)

LESSON TO PAOS WITH KONGTORANEE PAYAKAROON (LUMPINEE CHAMPION, BEST BOXER OF THE YEAR 1984)

LESSON TO PAOS WITH SAMART PAYAKAROON (LUMPINEE CHAMPION, BEST BOXER OF THE YEAR 1981, 1983, 1988)

LESSON TO PAOS WITH SAGAT PETCHYINDEE (LUMPINEE CHAMPION, RADJA CHAMPION)

SHADOW WITH KARUHAT SOR SUPAWAN (LUMPINEE CHAMPION)

FRONT KICK TECHNIQUE WITH SILAPATHAI JOCKYGYM (RADJA CHAMPION)

SYLVIE VON DUUGLAS-ITTU

Date of birth: November 3, 1983

Weight: 46 Kg

Height: 155 cm (5ft 1in)

Number of fights: 233. 150 Wins (78 KO). 74 Losses. 9 Draws.

Title: Queen’s Cup in - 46 kg (2014 ), Chon Buri Buffalo Race Festival in - 47 kg (2014), Sriracha stadium in - 50 kg (2014), Thepprasit Stadium in - 47 kg (2014), Chon Buri Buffalo Race Festival in - 48 kg (2015), Sattahip Loi Krathong Festival in - 52 kg (2015), Muay Siam 105 lb Northern Thailand Champion de facto champion in 105 lbs (2016), Thepprasit Stadium in - 45 kg (2017)

Team: PETCHRUNGRUANG GYM