/IndexMagazineTW
@IndexMag
@CanterburyIndex
SPOR 067T
The King of Martial Arts & THE MARTIAL ART OF KINGS
that – they also learn valuable life skills such as dedication, discipline, respect for others and team working. “Boxing, and sport
generally, can be life- changing,” adds Ricky, whose day job is as a London firefighter and who was a highly regarded competitor himself before a shoulder injury ended his boxing career. “We have a member who works with people suffering from depression and mental illness so we set up a boxing group for them and it has been fantastic to see the difference it’s made. And one of our star students is 23-year- old Bradley Aiano, who shed an amazing seven stone by discovering a passion – and a talent – for this sport.”
Give it a go!
For most of us though the sheer thought of walking into a boxing gym for the first time can be terrifying. “I think everyone feels a bit intimidated trying something new, but my classes are really friendly and we always look after a beginner,” says Tommy Kotrla.
“Any good boxing trainer or club will always welcome you in for a chat and help you overcome any anxieties. Some people prefer a one-to-one session with a coach, but you can also join a class and I’m always delighted to train friends or work colleagues who like the idea of boxing in a small group.”
• You can contact Tommy Kotrla at Halo Gym (
halogym.co.uk) or call 07827 781929. Find Swanley Amateur Boxing Club on @swanleyboxinggym
At the age of 19, and on the cusp of starting a building apprenticeship, a friend talked Rory Crawford into visiting a Thai boxing gym. That apprenticeship? Well, it never happened! Twelve years later Rory has more than 30 fights under his belt and a packed diary of clients who come to him for high-level coaching in a sport dubbed ‘the king of martial arts and the martial art of kings’. “I’d done boxing and karate as a lad but from the moment I discovered Muay Thai I was hooked. I wouldn’t say I was instantly a natural, but I had a fighter’s instinct, a capacity for dedicating myself to learning and – because I loved it so much – the hard work always felt like fun,” says Rory, who lives in Sevenoaks. “Because Muay Thai uses hands, elbows, legs and knees (they call it the art of eight limbs) it features more moves and combinations than traditional boxing and can be, for some, more interesting or challenging. Muay Thai was originally used in battle and is steeped in thousands of years of warrior culture, tradition and ritual so many also find that appealing.” What does Rory feel is the appeal of Thailand’s national sport? “There is something highly addictive about boxing generally. Once you get started, learn a few techniques and start to improve, you get sharper and want to do more. It also builds confidence and, like many other forms of exercise, is incredibly good for mental wellbeing. I’ve trained people of all ages and abilities and it’s very rarely someone doesn’t get what I call ‘the bug’,” adds Rory.
“I understand that for some the thought of walking into a boxing gym for the first time could be very scary, but I’d urge anyone who’s interested to just have a go. What you find about this world is that there is a real sense of community, people are supportive, and there’s a respect for anyone who is trying their hand.”
• You can contact Rory Crawford on @rory_crawford87, on @rorycrawford, or via the website
fighterchoice.com
© Sport England
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102
