PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Ryan Erispe from Plettenberg Bay achieved a notable victory this past weekend in an international Muay Thai tournament held in Thailand, when he defeated a seasoned international fighter, Callum Sin from Singapore, by a technical knockout (TKO).
Muay Thai, also known as Thai boxing, is a revered martial art and full-contact combat sport that combines stand-up striking, sweeps, and clinching techniques.
It holds a special place in Thai culture, similar to how rugby is celebrated in South Africa.
Erispe's triumph is especially impressive given the sport's deep roots, and high level of competition, in Thailand.
Prize money
To qualify for such an event, where prize money is at stake, a fighter has to be a member of a reputable Muay Thai club, endorsed by accredited trainers.
Erispe, who now works as a therapist in Thailand, has been living there for the past six months. He had worked in Thailand before the Covid-19 pandemic, and returned to Plettenberg Bay during the outbreak.
Dedication and skill
His recent victory underscores his dedication to and skill in Muay Thai, highlighting his successful transition back to Thailand and his commitment to both his professional and athletic pursuits.
"On my return I joined the Wild Cat-gymnasium where I honed my skill under the tutelage of experienced trainers who provided invaluable guidance.
"I've always been a sporty type of guy who did karate and kickboxing when I was younger - meaning I always had a feel for this sort of thing.
Gym work, jogging
"I adjusted my diet accordingly and shed quite a bit of weight, that improved my overall mobility. In addition, I did my prescribed gym work for muscle-building coupled with daily jogs of about 5km per day."
Erispe described his fight as a tough one. "Even though my opponent was shorter than me, he had a strategy to keep close to me so that I wasn't able to use my long lever to lay into him.
'Fighters analyse you'
"I couldn't execute my kicks to defuse him. This approach by him just goes to show how fighters analyse you before a match-up, to make sure they get an upper hand, if you let them.
"In return I decided to take him down each time he was too close to me. This tactic slowly tired him and eventually I was able to go for the TKO which sealed the match," he said.
Erispe's next fight will be announced in due course on his Facebook page, and according to him, it will most likely be against a Thai fighter, making the fight even more challenging.
He said his family back home, wife Danielle and son Jayden Erispe, are very proud of his achievement and are in the process of getting their visas to join him in Thailand.
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