One Muay Thai Superstar Has Always Pushed Petchdam Toward Greatness

ONEchampionship.com

From starting out in his small Thai village to becoming a World Champion in the capital of Bangkok, Petchdam Petchyindee Academy has had a friend and mentor in his corner every step of the way.

The 20-year-old flyweight hero will return to action at ONE: CALL TO GREATNESS this Friday, 22 February against Japan’s Masahide Kudo, and like always, he will be supported by fellow ONE Super Series hero, Petchmorrakot Petchyindee Academy.

Many coaches, training partners, and supporters have aided Petchdam in his career, but there are very few who can claim to have been there from the very beginning and remain by his side now.

Petchmorrakot hails from the same village in the province of Ubon Ratchathani, and as his senior by five years, he was introduced to the art of eight limbs first.

The future WBC Muay Thai World Champion was inspired by what he saw, and committed to following in his footsteps.

“I remember going out to play soccer with my friends, and I saw Petchmorrakot running,” Petchdam explains.

“He was training for a fight. I wanted to train as well, so I followed him to the gym.”

Taking on a relationship similar to that of a big brother, Petchmorrakot took his young charge under his wing.

He helped Petchdam with techniques in training and spent time with him joking around together outside the gym.

It was not long before the pair became inseparable. When Petchdam was allowed to compete for the first time, Petchmorrakot joined his coaches to support his teammate.

“He’s like my older brother. We are very close,” Petchdam says.

“When I would fight, he would always be in my corner. I’ve always looked up to him.”

Having already started his Muay Thai career three years before Petchdam, Petchmorrakot soon left home behind to move to Bangkok and take the next step in his career when he was scouted by the famous Petchyindee Academy.

Through he was disappointed to see his friend leave, the younger nak muay was encouraged to stay dedicated to his sport so he could follow the same path when he was old enough.

“I saw him getting big opportunities in Bangkok, and it helped keep me focused,” he explains.

“I trained harder because I wanted the same for myself.

“We’re from the same small village, so I figured if he could make it, so could I.”

Petchdam continued to put in the hours in his hometown until he too was ready to take off for the big time.

Once he reached the right age to start competing on Bangkok’s elite stadium circuit, he packed his bags and followed his mentor to the big city.

Just like Petchmorrakot, he received a culture shock when first arrived at his new home. Fortunately, his old friend was there to help him adjust and settle into his new surroundings.

“Bangkok is so big and noisy compared to my village. It was really overwhelming at first. Petchyindee is huge, and there are so many fighters there,” he says.

“Having Petchmorrakot there when I arrived really helped me settle in. It felt like a home away from home.”

Since then, both athletes have flourished in their careers and become World Champions.

Petchdam will enter his ONE Super Series kickboxing match in the Singapore Indoor Stadium this Friday with an incredible 92 professional wins on his record, including two victories in his first two matches in The Home Of Martial Arts.

That success is down to hard work, and the fellow villagers push each other in training. Beyond that, they also keep each others’ spirits up through the grueling sessions they go through every day.

Anyone who has seen Petchdam’s walkouts, celebrations, and social media posts know he does not take himself too seriously, and his teammate is always around to share a joke.

“Petchmorrakot is just fun to be around. He’s never too serious, and is always there to make me laugh,” he adds.

However, when it comes to the serious business of preparing to compete, both Petchmorrakot and Petchdam are 100 percent focused.

There is no doubt the younger of these two World Champions will show that in Singapore at ONE: CALL TO GREATNESS.