Our Legacy
The Internationally acclaimed SITYODTONG Camp in Thailand has produced more Lumpinee Stadium Champions than any other, thus earning its place
in history as Thailand’s most successful Muay Thai Camp
Grandmaster Yodtong Senanan is revered as one of the all-time best Muay Thai Coaches that ever lived. One of his many acknowledgements was his appointment by the Kingdom of Thailand as the Conservator of Muay Thai in Asia, the highest honor ever bestowed upon a Muay Thai Trainer or Coach. In the early 90’s he received the “The Best Muay Thai Trainer in the Nation,” awarded by a member of the Royal Family and received an Honorary Doctorate in Muay Thai Studies from Rajabhat University. From a very early age, Grandmaster Yodtong had a fascination with all forms of fighting. He believed in the science of combat and for one to achieve a high level in the art and sport of Muay Thai it required many years of dedication and intensive training.
In life the best attract the best, and the best produce the best.– Grandmaster Yodtong Senanan
In 1960, Grandmaster Yodtong founded the world famous *Sityodtong Camp (*means, Students of Yodtong). The original location was in Mabtaput, a small seaport town, in the Rayong Province. As Sityodtong grew in size and notoriety the Camp moved several times to accommodate its rapid growth and success.
In the early 1980’s Grandmaster Yodtong relocated once again to its current address in Chonburi, a city just outside Pattaya, Thailand’s largest and primary seaport. Purchasing several acres of land, he had dormitories built for the Fighters and also hired a cook to prepare their meals. Providing food, lodging and training, enabled Grandmaster Yodtong to eliminate outside distractions so Sityodtong Fighters could focus on just training and winning. With a modern facility which included four boxing rings, seventeen heavy bags, top trainers and the Grandmaster at the helm, Sityodtong Camp quickly became the envy of other Camps and Fighters throughout Thailand
The Payakaroon Brothers, Samart and Kongtanalee, are the two most celebrated Champions from Sityodtong Camp and are amongst just a handful of Fighters who have successfully risen to legendary status. Samart Payakaroon is revered as the greatest Muay Thai Champion in the history of the sport. He is a 4-Time Lumpinee Stadium Champion, as well as a WBA Boxing Champion. His older brother, Kongtalanee Payakaroon, is an amazing 5-Time Lumpinee Stadium Champion in 5 different weight classes. Kongtalanee also had an impressive career in Boxing and fought for a world title against International Boxing Hall of Fame member, Khaosai Galaxy.
The renowned Payakaroon Brothers dominated the competition for many years and were among the biggest Superstars of the Golden Era of Muay Thai. Their tremendous success and fame gained international recognition for Grandmaster Yodtong and literally put Sityodtong on the map.
The renowned Payakaroon Brothers dominated the competition for many years and were among the biggest Superstars of the Golden Era of Muay Thai. Their tremendous success and fame gained international recognition for Grandmaster Yodtong and literally put Sityodtong on the map.
GRANDMASTER YODTONG PRODUCED 57 CHAMPIONS
Throughout the years, Grandmaster Yodtong, the Trainer of Champions, produced an astounding “57” Champions, the most of any other Trainer or Coach in the Sports History. In addition to the Payakaroon Brothers, notable Champions include; Nuengpichit Sityodtong, Detpitak Sityodtong, Chartchai Sityodtong, Yoddecha Sityodtong, Daotong Sityodtong and Yodsanan 3-K Battery.
Grandmaster Yodtong’s most successful fighter out of the ring is the charismatic, Chatri Sityodtong, a Harvard graduate and rags to riches Billionaire. He is also the founder, chairman and CEO of MMA’s ONE Championship. In December 2017, FOX SPORTS named Chatri Sityodtong one of Asia’s Most Powerful Person in Sports.
I started Muay Thai against my mother’s wishes when I was a kid growing up in Thailand. I did not know it at the time, but that first day of training ignited a fire in my soul that would forever change the course of my life. At the time, Sityodtong Gym was the #1 Muay Thai camp in Thailand with the fiercest reputation and the best fighters in the country. And our master, Yodtong Senanan, was a living legend for producing the most number of Champions in history. Every fighter at Sityodtong Gym was a genuine monster, except for me. Luckily, one of the senior trainers at Sityodtong Gym, P’Tu (or Papa Daorung as he is fondly known today), took me under his wing. Over several years, under the careful guidance of our master Yodtong, P’Tu passed down his knowledge of Muay Thai to me.– Excerpt from “How a single day changed my life.” – Chatri Sityodtong t
SITYODTONG TODAY
Since the passing of Grandmaster Yodtong in early 2013, his son, Kru Toy Sriwaralak, has taken the reins of Sityodtong Camp as the Manager and Head Coach. Today, the Camp continues to thrive building young fighters and the next generation Champions, as well as train fighters and Muay Thai enthusiast from around the world.