GAAWUTPRODUCTIONS
MY STORY
My story begins with a strong passion for Muay Boran born from watching the movie Ong Bak. I have always been passionate about martial arts, but I had never found one that finally convinced me to cross the threshold of a dojo before.
I was lucky enough to have an I.M.B.A. Muay Boran gym near my home, from which I learned the foundations of ancient Thai boxing for about 4 years. As my experience in martial arts grew, I realized that something was wrong, the training I was subjected to was too based on forms, with little sparring and without the possibility of having matches. So, guided by a copy of the Tao of the Jeet Kune Do found at my house, I left my gym, kept training Muay Boran alone, and went for the more realistic training of Sports Muay Thai.
During the 2020 pandemic, without access to a gym, I realized Muay Boran was still a little-known art and full of misconceptions so I opened a YouTube channel to spread my knowledge, wearing a traditional Thai Mask. I've got in contact with several masters in Thailand, discovered and spread an accurate history of Thai boxing, and written several books.
I discovered Chris Price's Croydon Boxing System, a real and effective self-defense system based on modern and ancient Western boxing and Muay Thai. It impressed me a lot and by applying the principles of Jeet Kune Do I absorbed most of it and continued to assimilate and train techniques and concepts external to Muay Boran. What I was practicing was not I.M.B.A. Muay Boran anymore, so I founded a new style that I called Muay Nam, the Boxing of Water, to make it effective for extreme combat sports and self-defense. However, the style was in development and far from complete.
Looking for a realistic combat sport to apply Muay Boran techniques, I began practicing Kudo. From here my interest in Japanese martial arts grew, and I studied some concepts of Jujutsu, Judo, and Aikijujutsu.
In 2023 I published the first translation of the first book of Muay Thai Boran, Baeprien Muay Thai.
Muay Nam was greatly revolutionized by my contact with Italian Combatives, especially those of the Arditi. From here I studied HEMA grappling, like Abrazare.
Finally, the fighting theory of a modern fencing master further shaped my martial art.
To this day, I continue to improve and spread Muay Nam and information on ancient martial arts.
FAQ 1: What's that mask that you used to? It's a mask inspired by the one used in Thai Khon Teather, which is profoundly linked with Muay Boran. I don't use it anymore.
FAQ 2: Are you a qualified master? After leaving my Muay Boran academy I have never been interested in getting qualifications. Muay Nam is my personal style, so there is nobody that can qualify me, I prefer to let my expertise speak for itself. I'm currently pursuing a Kudo Black belt, and one day I would like to get a qualification from one of Amnat Pooksrisuk's student.
FAQ 3: Is Muay Nam a purely Thai Martial Art? Definitely not, my roots come from Muay Boran so I use a Thai name, but Muay Nam is made of martial arts from all over the world, that's why you will find elements not present in Thai Boxing lines.
FAQ 4: Can I use Muay Nam for self-defense? Yes, but you need to train it seriously.
FAQ 5: Can I get in contact with you? Contact me at muaynam@gaawutproductions.com or on Instagram @gaawutproductions.