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First-hand account of Training at Horizon Thai Boxing Camp
Muay Thai Training in Thailand
My name Is Gavin
Three weeks ago I climbed into the ring in New Zealand in my hometown and fought a full Muay Thai rules fight against one of New Zealand’s best fighters. A fighter who has not only beaten current title holders but also fought and won against National champions from other countries,
This was a great idea I had at some stage last year. You see, last January I decided that after 10 years of not training I was going to learn a whole new way of fighting.
After some searching on the internet I decided on a location in Thailand, on an island I had never heard of and at a Muay Thai camp I knew nothing about. My friends thought I was crazy and most people thought I was going to get beaten to death.
After contacting Horizon Muay Thai camp by Email, I was amazed at the level of service I received and the help that was offered with everything from booking accommodation, flights and general travel information within Thailand.
With the wealth of information I was given I was able to plan my trip and cover all angles to ensure I got the most from my time in Thailand.
I left Scotland (where I had been living) on the 12 of January 2006 for what was going to be a month of training with Horizon Muay Thai camp feeling a little apprehensive about what I had gotten myself into and more than a little scared of failure.
I arrived in Thailand and spent a night in Bangkok before heading to Koh Phangan on the earliest flight I could get (via Koh Samui). I arrived at Horizon Muay Thai camp early on a Sunday morning and met other people that were staying and training at the camp. Everyone I met had nothing but good things to say about the place, and some had been there for a long time.
I began to train on the same day I arrived and continued to train for the entire time I was on Koh Phangan. In this time I found that not only the Thai trainers but the other people training at the gym were there to help with every aspect of Muay Thai training and the professional approach by the trainers helped me to develop at a much quicker rate than I could have hoped for. That combined with the friendly fun atmosphere had me wishing I had booked for longer and vowing
to return in 2007 for a longer stay.
In January 2007 I once again set off to Thailand, this time to spend three months staying and training at Horizon Muay Thai camp.
This time around I was armed with a little more knowledge about what to expect from my training, and I had decided to not only Train but also to fight in Thailand.
I arrived in Thailand again on a Sunday, and again began to train the same day I arrived. It was like returning to an old friend’s home. Everyone welcomed me and made me feel at home, immediately reminding me of why I had chosen to return To Horizon Camp. I had my first fight in Thailand a week to the day of my arrival. I was given all the support and help I could have asked for in the lead up to my first fight, and having such a wealth of fighting experience in your corner on the night is like nothing else. I was privileged enough to fight on the same night as some of Thailand’s best fighters and with a win coming my way really made my entire trip worthwhile.
Still on a high from my first experience in the ring I fought again. Once more I felt lucky to have the people at Horizon take me through every aspect of fighting and to work on my weak points.
Again, on the night I not only had a great corner but the Support of the entire Horizon crowd, making it another memorable night for me, again winning by Knock Out.
I stayed in Thailand a total of three months this Year. I not only trained with Horizon but traveled throughout Thailand with them, trips around Koh Phangan, Bangkok and more fight nights than I can remember!! I fought a total of 5 times in Thailand both on Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. I sadly did not win every fight, but I never felt like I had lost. For every loss there was a lesson to be taught and more training to be had. I learned from every experience. And as I said at no stage did I ever feel bad for not winning, maybe a little disappointed but always happy for having tried. I also love the Thai attitude to fighting: It’s a sport and every sport has a winner and a loser. You can’t always be the winner.
With the training I had received and knowledge from getting in the ring I was able to return to New Zealand and step into the ring in my home town for the first time in ten years and fight the hardest fight of my life.
So with that I would like to take the time to thank everyone who was involved in making my time in Thailand everything I could have ever asked for.
Ex. Thank you. For your time and the extra effort you put in to help me reach my goals. For going out of your way on more than one occasion to help me with personal problems, and for pushing me when I needed it. Thanks mostly for being a good friend when I needed it.
Phu. What can I say? I feel lucky to have shared a ring with you, to have been trained by you and to have had you stand in my corner. Thank you for all your help, training and advice throughout my time in Thailand and for all the fun times.
I would like to thank all the staff at Horizon and also the other fighters who helped with my training and my holiday in general.
So for anyone looking for a place to train, whether you are looking for fitness, want to fight in Thailand or at home, or just want to try something new I recommend Horizon Muay Thai camp.
They have a friendly professional approach to everyone who wishes to train with them. They have the experience to recognize strengths and weaknesses within people and work accordingly to help them grow to reach their goals. Plus the added bonus of being situated in one of the most beautiful locations in Thailand.
Just to finish, I will be returning in five days time to Thailand, and once again I will be staying at Horizon Muay Thai, I can’t help myself.
