RUNGNARAI KIATMOOKAO (BEST BOXER OF THE YEAR 2018 IN THAILAND)
INTERVIEW OF RUNGNARAI KIATMOOKAO (BEST
BOXER OF THE YEAR 2018 IN THAILAND)
by Serge TREFEU (2019)
Serge TREFEU: Hello Rungnarai, how are you?
RUNGNARAI: Well, thanks
How old are you ?
I’m 24 years old
Which region of Thailand are you from?
I’m from the Buriram region (Northeast Region). I was born in Prakhonchai which is a city at 30 Km from Buriram
You have brothers and sisters ?
I have one brother and one sister
Your brother is a boxer too?
No, only me is a boxer in the family
You were a child brawler?
Yes very brawler, especially at school (Laugh)
Are you married, have children?
Yes I have a child
You started boxing at what age?
I started boxing at age 8
At what age did you make your first fight?
I did my first fight at 8 years old. I won the match
How much money did you win for this first fight?
I won the sum of 200 baht
How did you discover boxing?
I often watched boxing fights on TV
In which gym did you begin your training?
I started in a small gym called Lukhokphet. In fact, it was in Master Lukhokphet’s house
You did a lot of fighting for this gym?
I made my first fights for this gym
Then, you integrated the famous Kiatmookao Gym?
Yes, at 14, I went to Kiatmookao Gym in Tako Thapi
KIATMOOKAO GYM IS A CHAMPION FACTORY
Did you make your first fight in Bangkok at what age?
At 15, I fought in Bangkok under the colors of Kiatmookao Gym
Today, are you still at Kiatmookao Gym?
Yes, always in this gym
RUNGNARAI TO PAOS IN KIATMOOKAO GYM
Do you sleep in the gym?
I have my room in the gym
What are the fighters of Kiatmookao Gym currently?
There is Singdam, Superlek, Phetpanomrung, Kongpousing, Saksi, Denputhai…
SUPERLEK, RUNGNARAI, PHETPANOMRUNG, THE THREE STARS OF KIATMOOKAO GYM
Are there strangers coming to train in your gym?
Sometimes yes
In which category do you fight?
I fight in Thailand today in 112 lbs-117 lbs (51 Kg-54 Kg)
What are the titles you won?
I won five belts. The champion belt of Thailand in 108 lbs against Baikan Wor Sangthep in 2013, the belt of Radja in 108 lbs against Satanmuanglek Noomponthep in 2016, the belt True4You in 112 lbs against Palangpon PetchyindeeAcademy in 2017, the belt of Lumpinee in 115 lbs against Jomhod Moopingaroijungboie (EminentAir) in 2018 and the belt True4You in 118 lbs against Dieselek Wor Wanchaï in 2019!
THAILAND CHAMPION
RADJA CHAMPION
LUMPINEE CHAMPION
TRUE4YOU CHAMPION
Are you still Lumpinee champion now?
Yes, I won my belt in December 2018 and I just defended it on August 9, 2019, I beat by points the Lumpinee No. 2, Phetsommai Sor Sommai!
How much did you fight so far?
I made 150 fights for 115 wins, 30 losses and 5 draws
Did you win a lot of wins by knockout?
I won 20 victories by KO
What style of fight are you in the ring?
I am a Fimeuu fighter (Technique) strong with my right leg
RUNGNARAI’S TECHNIQUES WITH RIGHT LEG ARE GREATLY EFFECTIVE
What’s your favorite fight technique?
I love techniques with feet and elbows
What was your hardest fight until today?
This is a fight I did not long ago. It was on July 5, 2019 at the Lumpinee, I lost by KO against Yothin F.A. Group…
Your best fight memory?
When I won my Lumpinee belt against Jomhod. I win an important title against a very great champion!
What are the known fighters you beat?
Kiew Parunchaï, Palungphon PetchyindeeAcademy, Jomhod Eminentair, Satanmuanglek Noomponthep, Watcharaphon P.K. Seanchai, Yokmorakot Wor Sangpraphai, Thanadet Thor Pran 49…
Have you ever fought abroad?
Yes once in England (Lost by KO against Daniel McGowan in 2017)
Would you like to fight again in Europe, in France for example?
I would like to come fight in France!
Do you know French fighters?
No not too much…
What is the best foreign boxer for you?
It’s Rafi Singpatong, he’s very strong!
What do you think is the best Thai fighter right now?
These are the fighters of Kiatmookao, Singdam, Phetpanomrung and Superlek!
What is your purse in Thailand?
My purse today is 110,000 baht
Who is your promoter?
Mr. Nuttadaj Vachirarattanawong (Petchyindee Promotion)
MR. NUTTADAJ VACHIRARATTANAWONG (PROMOTER OF RADJA STADIUM ), RUNGNARAI KIATMOOKAO, MR. SUDJAI PUMPRAKON (OWNER OF KIATMOOKAO GYM)
You live well thanks to boxing?
Boxing has made my life better. I bought a car but not my house yet…
What do you think after boxing?
Become a boxing coach. And if I can, have my own boxing gym
RUNGNARAI WILL BE ABLE TO START TEACHING IN THE NEW GYM NEAR THE KIATMOOKAO GYM, THE «KIATMOOKAO SINGDUM SAINT DENIS GYM»
Your next fight is for when?
I do not know yet, I just fight…
Thank you very much for the interview and I wish you chookdee for your next fights
Thank you so much
Rungnarai of his real name Worawut Krotprakhon grew up in the countryside in the heart of the very rural Buriram region.
ALTHOUGH HE BECAME A STAR OF THE RINGS, RUNGNARAI DOES NOT FORGET THE ORIGINS OF MODEST PEASANTS
From a very young age, he has been immersed in the world of boxing. His father is a member of the family of the great champion Singdam Kiatmookao. He often took his son to see the fights of the phenomenal Singdam. Rungnarai is a gifted boxer, he has this sport in the blood. He made his first fight at 8 years old after only three days of practice of Muay Thai. A match that ended in a victory!
Rungnarai was then trained by the coaches of the Kiatmookao Gym, a true factory for champions. The owner of the Kiatmookao Gym, Mr. Sudjai Pumprakon, nicknamed “Uncle Jai”, immediately saw the enormous potential of this young boxer. He was not mistaken. Because Rungnaraï has now become one of the best boxers in Thailand.
ONCLE JAI IS LIKE A FATHER WITH HIS FIGHTERS
Rungnarai’s techniques and his tactical sense in the ring greatly destabilize his opponents. The only weak point of Rungnarai is his fragile chin. He lost several times by KO due to hooks received on the face…
At 24, he is already champion of the two largest stadiums in Bangkok, the Lumpinee and the Radja, as well as champion of Thailand!
RUNGNARAI CONQUERS THE BELTS OF THE TWO GREATEST STADIUMS IN THE COUNTRY, LUMPINEE AND RADJA
RUNGNARAI WON THE FIRST BELT AT 18 YEARS OLD. ON 15 MARCH 2013, AT LUMPINEE STADIUM, HE BEAT BY KO WITH A RIGHT ELBOW, BAIKAN WOR SANGTHEP AND WON THE THAILAND CHAMPION BELT IN 108 LBS
ON MAY 9, 2016, AT THE RADJA STADIUM, FOR THE RADJA BELT IN 108 LBS, RUNGNARAI HAS FOUDROYE WITH HIS RIGHT LEG THE GREAT SATANMUANGLEK CHAMPION
ON DECEMBER 22, 2017, FOR THE FAMOUS BELT TRUE4YOU IN 112 LBS, RUNGNARAI BEAT THE EXPERIENCED PALANGPON PETCHYINDEEACADEMY. RUNGNARAI AND PALANGPON FACED EACH OTHER 6 TIMES WITH 4 WINS FOR RUNGNARAI
ON 7 DECEMBER 2018, FOR THE LUMPINEA BELT IN 115 LBS, RUNGNARAI BEAT THE TERROR OF THE RINGS, JOMHOD EMINENTAIR
ON 7 JUNE 2019, AT THE RADJA STADIUM, RUNGNARAI FOUGHT FOR THE TRUE4YOU BELT IN 118 LBS AGAINST DIESELEK WOR WANCHAI. VICTORY AT POINTS OF RUNGNARAI
Rungnaraï was named “Best Boxer of the Year 2018” by the prestigious institution “The Sport Writers Association of Thailand”. He won this precious trophy thanks to his good results during 2018, succeeding champion Kulapdam Sor Jor Piak Uthai who was elected Best boxer in 2017. Of his ten fights in 2018, Rungnaraï won eight matchs, lost once, and makes a draw. He won the Lumpinee Stadium belt in 115 lbs against the legendary Jomhod Eminentair. He also defeated the great champions Palangpon Petchyindeeacademy, Phetphuthai Sitsarawatser, Phetsuphan Por Daorungrueang and Kiew Parunchaï!
Finally, the jury reversed its decision and did not give the famous trophy to Rungnarai. This is the first time this has happened in the history of the Best Boxer of the Year Awards. This year 2019, the trophy ceremony “The Sport Writers Association of Thailand” was held in July for the election of the best athletes of the year 2018. In early July, Rungnarai was elected Best Boxer of the Year 2018. But on July 5, 2019, in the stadium of Lumpinee, he lost by knockout against Yothin FA Group. And it was after this unfortunate KO that the jury decided that Rungnarai did not deserve this prize. A very unfair sanction for this talented fighter. Suddenly, the year 2018 has no representative of Thai boxing who is honored with the prestigious trophy…
RUNGNARAI FAILED TO BE ELECTED “BEST BOXER OF THE YEAR” BY THE ILLUSTRIOUS “THE SPORT WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF THAILAND”
The last fights of Rungnarai:
in 2018
On Jan. 31, at the stadium of Radja, he lost in points against Achanai PetchyindeeAcademy
On March 7, at the stadium of Radja, he defeated by stop referee Kimluay Santiaubol
On 9 April, at the stadium of Radja, he took revenge on Achanai PetchyindeeAcademy by beating him at the points
On May 9, in the stadium of Radja, he beat Phetmuangchon Phor Suantong
On June 11, at the stadium of Radja, he beat the great champion Palangpon PetchyindeeAcademy (LumpineeChampion, Radja champion)
On July 5th, at the stadium of Radja, he defeated Phetsuphan Por Daorungrueang (Radja Champion)
On August 7, in the stadium of Lumpinee, he beat star Kiew Parunchai (Lumpinee Champion, TV7 champion, Thailand champion)
On September 4, in the stadium of Lumpinee, he drew against the formidable Phetphuthai Sitsarawatser (TV7 Champion)
On October 5th, in the province, he beat the dangerous Watcharaphon PK SaenchaiGym (TV7 Champion)
On December 7th, in the stadium of Lumpinee, he met star Jomhod Eminentair (Radja champion, TV7 champion) for the Lumpinee belt in 115 lbs that he won
in 2019
On January 17, at the stadium of Radja, he defeated Detchaiya PhetyindiAcademy (Thailand Champion)
On February 21, in the stadium of Radja, for the revenge against Detchaiya PhetyindiAcademy, Rungnarai lost by KO in the second round, Detchaiya surprised him with a beautiful left hook to the jaw
On May 9, at the stadium of Radja, he beat Dansiam Krudam Gym
On June 7, in the stadium of Lumpinee, for the champion belt TrueForYou in 118 lbs, Rungnaraï beat Dieselek Wor Wanchaï
On July 5th, in the stadium of Lumpinee, Rungnarai lost by KO in the third round against Yothin F.A. Group who electrocuted him with a right elbow jaw
On August 9, in the stadium of Lumpinee, for the defense of his Lumpinee belt in 115 lbs, Rungnarai beat Phetsommai Sor Sommai
RUNGNARAI KIATMOOKAO
Name of birth: Worawut Krotprakhon
Nickname: Jong, Petsila
Date of birth: May 17, 1995
Weight: 55 Kg
Height: 1m66
Number of fight: 150. 115 wins (20 KO). 30 Losses. 5 draws
Title: True4You Champion in 118 lbs (2019), Lumpinee Champion in 115 lbs (2018), True4You Champion in 112 lbs (2017), Radja Champion in 108 lbs (2016), Thailand Champion in 108 lbs (2013)
Team: KIATMOOKAO GYM