Thailand’s Pongsaklek Wonjongkam has reclaimed the WBC flyweight title as he beat Japan’s Koki Kameda by split decision, while another Thai boxer Oleydong Sithsamerchai has retained his WBC stawweight belt by defeating Japanese challenger Yasutaka Kuroki on Saturday.

In the WBC flyweight unification match held at Pongsaklek Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo on March 27, interim title holder Pongsaklek was able to utilize his extensive experience against champion Kameda, landing hits after some exchanges in the first round.

In the next few rounds, Pongsaklek became the aggressor and was able to strike Kameda in the face at the end of the third round as well as scoring punches at the midsection in the fourth round, which ended with the Thai leading the scores.

In the fifth round, however, the referee penalized Pongsaklek after a clash that caused Kameda to bleed at above his right eye. The merciless Pongsaklek pressed harder and the bleeding became so severe that the fight was halted for a medical examination on the wound.

His bleeding was effectively stopped but started to flow again at the end of the sixth round onward, leading to him taking hits in the face in the remaining rounds. By the end of the eleventh round, Kameda also suffered nose bleeding.

Thailand’s Department of Physical Education chief Sombat Kuruphan is hoping that the international participants of the second world amateur muaythai championship in Bangkok will help promote the proper Wai Khru ceremony.

At the Nimibutr Indoor National Stadium in Bangkok on March 25, about 300 muaythai fighters and trainers from 40 nations were given “mongkol” headbands and miniature figures of legendary muaythai fighter Nai Khanom Tom.

The participants then followed the instruction of muaythai masters in performing a mass Wai Khru ritual. The event organizer hoped that the participants themselves would eventually help spread the proper style of Wai Khru ceremony.

Sombat, as chief organizer, said the Wai Khru, which is a ceremony unique to muaythai, aims to pay respect to past and current muaythai masters, while promoting virtue and pride of the Thai culture.

The organizer of the second world amateur muaythai championship is holding a mass Wai Khru ceremony that is performed by the fighters of 42 nations who are competing in the tournament.

“The Department of Physical Education is aware of the quality standard of muaythai, which is Thailand’s national martial arts. So, it has applied sport science in muaythai development, using techniques like weight management and care of fighter,” said the department chief, Sombat Kuruphan.

“Another important thing for the muaythai officials and fighters is the knowledge on Wai Khru ceremony. So the department has held a Wai Khru ceremony for international muaythai teachers on March 25.”

The Professional Boxing Association of Thailand (PBAT) has reported on its progress made in 2009 and is preparing to implement a 10-year strategic plan, while focusing on its role to supervise the Thai fighters fighting overseas.

On March 22 in Bangkok, PBAT president Somchart Charoenwatcharawit chaired an annual meeting of 2010 to report progress of the association in the past year, which includes a campaign to promote muaythai in Japan in January, an event to honor muaythai legend Nai Khanom Tom in March, international muaythai matches to honor Her Majesty the Queen in August, muaythai workshops in September, and matches to honor His Majesty the King in December.

In addition, the PBAT also reported on recent events held this year, such as muaythai referee training in January and another Nai Khanom Tom event in March.

It said it has responded to complaints on muaythai issues and helped solve problems for current and former fighters as well as supporting activities of the World Professional Muaythai Federation (WPMF) and other organizations.

Former WBC flyweight champion Daisuke Naito says his four-time Thai opponent Pongsaklek Wonjongkam and current WBC title holder Koki Kameda are equally matched.

Pongsaklek is currently in Japan for his bid for the WBC title against Kameda at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo on March 27. His colleague WBC stawweight champion Oleydong Sithsamerchai will also fight in the same event against Japanese challenger Yasutaka Kuroki.

Both Thai boxers and their promoter Piyarat Wachiratanawong arrived in Japan on March 20 in preparation for the title matches and on March 23 were greeted by a large group of Japanese reporters when they visited Naito’s Miyata Gym.

The reporters watched as the two boxers started their training session, which included a sparring match with each other. Unbeknownst to the Japanese-speaking journalists, Piyarat kept yelling to the boxers to not use full force or their key techniques so that they would be kept secret from their opponents.

Thai boxers Pongsaklek Wonjongkam and Oleydong Sithsamerchai have arrived in Japan on March 20 for their title matches this Saturday.

Pongsaklek, now holding a WBC flyweight interim title, seems to be getting much attention from the Japanese media upon his arrival at the Narita airport in Tokyo, as he will fight Japan’s notorious Koki Kameda, the world title holder, at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo on March 27.

At the airport, Pongsaklek, his promoter Wirat Wachiratanawong, and the Thai staff team were also greeted by Hiroyuki Miyata, who is manager of former WBC champion Naito Daisuke. The Japanese pugilist is an old-time rival of Pongsaklek, as the two have fought each other in four matches already.

In March 2008, Naito retained his WBC flyweight title after a draw with Pongsaklek, but eventually lost it to Kameda in November last year.

The second world amateur muaythai championship in Bangkok has begun yesterday despite the ongoing anti-government protests in the streets.

Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silpa-archa presided over the opening ceremony of the championship at the Nimibutr Indoor National Stadium in Bangkok on March 20.

A number of well-known Thai muaythai fighters and boxers such as Khaosai Galaxy, Samart Payakaroon and Somluck Kamsing performed in the opening ceremony, and their shows attracted considerable attention from international crowds.

The championship is seeing participation of 200 male and 56 female athletes, 45 trainers, 40 officials from various countries and 60 observers.

Thai boxing manager Wirat Wachiratanawong says he is not worried that Japanese boxing figure Shiro Kameda has been allowed to return to the sport.

Wirat said it would be up to his boxer Pongsaklek Wonjongkam whether he could beat WBC flyweight champion Koki Kameda, Shiro’s oldest son, at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo on March 27.

The Thai manager said he is not concerned that Shiro may return to his former job as trainer to his three boxer sons. Shiro’s license was taken away by the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) for abusing the referee in the match of his middle son Daiki Kameda and fellow Japanese pugilist Daisuke Naito in 2007.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn on March 12 has granted an audience to officials in charge of muaythai, saying he is pleased with their attempt to promoting muaythai as an Olympic sport.

The crown prince has told the officials that muaythai is part of the Thai life and culture, and deserves attention of all relevant parties who should support the sport to thrive in the Thai society as well popularizing it to the international level.

His Royal Highness also thanked the officials and said he is pleased with their efforts.

The muaythai officials at the royal audience, led by Privy Councillor Gen Pichitr Kullavanijaya, has reported progress of various projects including a three-year Olympic plan, a muaythai workshop and the Lan Muay Kru Sua youth training facility that has been operating for 10 years.

The upcoming world amateur muaythai championship planned in Bangkok this month will not be postponed despite the ongoing domestic political turmoil in Thailand, says organizer.

Thailand’s Department of Physical Education will continue with its plan to hold the championship on March 20-26 at the Nimibutr Indoor National Stadium in Bangkok, while claiming that at least 200 athletes from 20 out of 36 invited nations will participate in the event.

President of National Muaythai Conservation Centre Veera Kuschapakirin, as one of the organizers, said the open ceremony on Saturday March 20 at 2.00 p.m. will feature shows of a number of muaythai and boxing superstars such as Khaosai Galaxy, Samart Payakaroon and Somluck Kamsing.