871 Harold Place, Suite 106, Chula Vista, CA 91914
Muay Thai Kick Boxing
Muay Thai Kickboxing is the art of eight limbs. The history stems from Thailand and an older form of Kick Boxing called Muay Boran. It is also the country’s national sport. Now practiced with boxing gloves and pads (sometimes), it has similarities to Western Boxing. Although some similarities are present, there are vast differences. As derived from its pseudonym “the art of eight limbs”, Muay Thai incorporates the use of hands, elbows, knees, and shins. Strikes from skilled practitioners can be extremely damaging. These damaging strikes make this martial art one of the more brutal martial arts in existence.
Muay Thai Instructor- Ty Valkanas
Ty Valkanas has practiced martial arts since 1979. He holds a second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido. In March of 1986 Mr. Valkanas began training boxing and Muay Thai Kickboxing. He continued to develop his skills and became North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia State Kickboxing Champion in 1988, ’89 and ’90 with an amateur record of 19-1-1. He decided to turn down an opportunity to turn professional to join the US Navy to become a US Navy SEAL. He graduated Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training (BUD/S) as Honor Man of Class 195 and went on to serve a total of 11 years in the military, primarily stationed at SEAL Team One and then Naval Special Warfare Group One as a Sniper Instructor.
During his time as a Navy SEAL he trained Muay Thai Kickboxing in Thailand in several locations, to include Bangkok with Master Toddy, Pattaya Beach with Fairtex, and Phuket with Rawai, and several other gyms. He went undefeated in thirteen fights in Thailand. Mr. Valkanas was also introduced to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu while in the SEAL Teams and became captivated with training the ground fighting to build a well rounded mixed martial arts and self defense.
After the military, while working as a Chula Vista Police Officer there were more than a few situations where his knowledge and skills in the martial arts were crucial and applied successfully. Now as an entrepreneur and investor, Mr. Valkanas continues to teach and train Boxing, Muay Thai Kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and directs the MMA Training Program at Team GFL.
The Institute Of Health And Fitness 871 Harold Place, Suite 106, Chula Vista, CA 91914 (619) 651-1862
