1973

1973 AN AMERICAN MUAY THAI ATHLETE IN THAILAND From 1972 to 1975 an American GI based in Udorn Thani, Thailand by the name of Dale Kvalheim * was one of the first American's to be accepted seriously by Thai teachers. Kvalheim (from Seattle) had 35 bouts winning 25 and earning the ring name of "The Golden Haired Executioner". At one time he was rated number 10 in his weight division, and he was the Champion of Northeast Thailand. He was one of the first Caucasion foreigners who was taken seriously in this art by the Thais. Up until Kvalheim's participation in the sport, Thai teachers had been frustrated at the lack of commitment and respect from American's (more specifically GI's) who wanted to learn and then fight Muay Thai in the ring. Up to this time period it has been noted that a few American's were so disrespectful to their Thai teachers that they would eventually challenge their instructors to a fight. Needless to say, the Americans would usually end up on their back wondering what hit them!

*DALE KVALHEIM
Dale Kvalheim of Wenatchee, Washington has defeated the unofficial Northern Thailand Lightweight Champion Apidet Lukmuang-nga on points during a 5 round Muay Thai fight in Chiang Mai. It is the Americans 22 fight and his 14th victory. Kvalheim has been training and fighting for only 18 months and when he first tried to start training in Muay Thai he was rejected for being too soft, not understanding the Thai traditions and because he was a foreigner. Finally after persistence, he was accepted by Thai trainer Denapad Strithong. On Kvalheim's 11th fight, he blocked a kick with his forearm and his arm was broken from the power of the kick. Kvalheim is not noted for his kicks (he feels they are weak) but he likes to punch and work his way in close so he can then elbow and knee. By 1974 Kvalheim is the only American on the Muay Thai circuit (as Raymond Elder from Japan retired).

MUAY THAI MAGAZINE FROM THAILAND: (Above photo) Thai Championship Boxing A short lived English magazine/book concentrating on Muay Thai in Thailand and around the world.

BURMESE CELEBRATION FEATURES BANDO AGAINST KARATE Rangoon Burma was host to a tournament that featured Burmese Kickboxing (Bando) against Karate. The week-long Burmese Independence Day Burmese Kickboxing Tournament was highlighted by matches between Bando against Karate. Due to the inexperience of the Karateka in the Kickboxing ring, the Karateka were paired with lesser known and weaker boxers. Most of the bouts turned out to be toe to toe encounters and most ended in a draw except for one unusual incident. Kickboxer Moc Kyaw accidentally swept Karateka Zaw Weit by pulling the latters leg as he fell. Kyaw immediately apologized in typical Buddhist praying position. Weit' supporters, many of them also Karateka, were not satisfied with the apology and they hurled verbal criticism at the boxer. Kyaw jumped out of the ring and challenged Weit's supporters. The referee's stepped in to stop the incident and the match resumed. Kyaw attacked his foe with renewed vigor and he knocked his opponent out with a kick to the jaw. The event did not attract top boxers because the prize money was to low and most were at another tournament in Toungoo held on the same day. The main event featured Aung Tin against Daung Nyo. Action battled back and forth and in the early rounds Tin tried to lure Nyo after much jumping and kicking. Nyo seized the leg and smashed Tin's chest with a powerful head butt. Simultaneously Tin dropped both elbows down into the back of his opponents head. In the middle rounds, Nyo grasped Tin's head and delivered a stunning knee to his opponents chin. After 3 rounds of fighting and with neither athlete ahead in scoring the bout moved to a 4th round. The 4th round lasted approximately 1 hour. The pace took its toll on Tin while Nyo exhibited stamina. Tin soon grew exhausted and did not want to continue.

CONTROVERSIAL WOMEN'S 'KICKBOXING' Women's Kickboxing sets off a controversy in Thailand. The televised Muhammed Ali - Ken Norton encounter was followed in Bangkok with 5 Muay Thai bouts. The Channel 7 show televised all women's bouts. 2 of the 5 bouts ended in KO and a few of the women appeared to have good Muay Thai basics. The crowd at times broke into fits of laughter at some of the girls moves in the ring. The all-female extravaganza prompted a nationwide argument with conservative elders being shocked while young promoters called out for the establishment of Muay Thai camps for females. Muay Thai promoter Tiemboon Intrabut, strongly defended his program against the critics. "It is much better for a girl to earn her living in the ring than being a prostitute", said the Promoter. Women used to box in the Ayutthaya period (which ended in 1767). "Queen Suriyothai used to fight with bare hand too", again said the promoter. It has only been in recent history women were banned from fighting and it was mostly due to superstitious reasons.

MARTIAL ART MAGAZINE FROM THE 1990'S FEATURING KICKBOXING: (Above photo) Uppercut Magazine French magazine concentrating on the pugilistic arts of Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Full Contact, Boxe Francaise-Savate and international boxing.

AUGAIS FIGHTS IN THE CLASSICAL TRADITION Young Patrick Augais reminded veteran spectators of their old time heroes when he fought in classical fashion to win the 1973 'La Boxe Francaise' Championships. Augais tried to stay away from the modern tendency of trying to punch and he relied mainly on kicks. Augais appeared to restore tradition to the French art of Savate.

FIGHT TURNS INTO A SLAUGHTER In Wichita Kansas in 1973 Roger Carpenter battled John Bal'ee. This bout started off under the agreed upon rules but soon developed into a full fledged street fight in the ring. Bal'ee was cut across the face and most Boxing and Kickboxing matches would have called the fight but not here. The bout had to go to knockout. Carpenter elbowed his foe in the face further opening the gash and then continually kneed his foe in the face. A knee sent Bal'ee through the ropes and referee Jim Harrison did not start counting until Bal'ee was back in the ring. This happened several times. 3000 nauseated spectators witnessed the bout which turned out to be a slaughter. The referee asked Bal'ee if he could continue and he barely nodded no. The fight was stopped and Bal'ee was taken to the hospital by ambulance.

MUAY THAI BOOK FROM THAILAND: (Above photo) Thai language Muay Thai book published in Thailand.

THE 6TH ORIENTAL WORLD OF SELF-DEFENSE On October 14th, 1973 Aaron Banks hosted this event to a packed house at Madison Square Gardens. At this event Banks had 2 Thai athletes perform their ceremonial Ram Muay. The 2 athletes did an exhibition bout exchanging punches and kicks. "Both athletes tried their best but their techniques are not up to the standards of World (Martial Arts) Champions", said Banks. The crowd began to berate the lack of skill. In the third round one athlete took a knee to the chin and he went down much to the chagrin from the audience, thinking the one Thai went down on a dive.

Continued on the Next Page! - 1974 -