MC SUPERLEK MUAY THAI GYM, THE CAMP OF SUPERSTAR SUPERLEK KIATMUU9
MC SUPERLEK MUAY THAI GYM, THE CAMP OF SUPERSTAR SUPERLEK KIATMUU9!
by Serge TRÉFEU (2025)
Since September 2024, ring legend Superlek Kiatmuu9 has opened his own training camp, MC Superlek Muay Thai Gym, located in the Bang Kruai district of Nonthaburi, a city near Bangkok.
Having trained for a long time in various camps in the Thai capital, Superlek felt the need to become independent. By founding his own camp, he can now train at his own pace and using his own methods. But his ambition goes far beyond his career: he wants to share his passion with the young people in his village, giving them a chance to escape poverty through boxing.
This project is also part of a reflection on post-career. With an impressive track record and memorable fights, Superlek intends to continue to mark his era, not only through his performances in the ring, but also through the lasting impact of his commitment to the new generation.
What makes MC Superlek Muay Thai Gym unique—beyond the fact that it’s run by a true Muay Thai legend—is its strong community roots. Indeed, the majority of the camp’s coaches and fighters hail from the same village as Superlek: Takothapi, located in Buriram province, in northeast Thailand, some 400 kilometers from Bangkok.
It was in this village that Superlek grew up and trained as a boxer, at the prestigious Kiatmuu9 Gym. True to his roots, he has strived to preserve this heritage by bringing in coaches and fighters from the same background, all of whom, like him, have also attended Kiatmuu9. Thus, his camp is not only a training ground, but also a place of transmission, deeply rooted in the history of his own training.
The MC Superlek Muay Thai Gym offers a simple yet functional setting. The camp features small bungalows for boxers, creating a family atmosphere conducive to concentration and training.
The camp is led by five experienced coaches, all from the same team as Superlek, each bringing their own expertise:
Sawikrom Limanon, nicknamed Coach Hook, is a renowned physical trainer, responsible for Superlek’s athletic fitness and career management.
Fasay Kiatmuu9 (200 fights), Superlek’s uncle, spent his entire career at the famous Kiatmuu9 Gym. He was also Superlek’s personal trainer during his major fights in Bangkok.
Saksri Superlek Muay Thai (70 fights), originally from Buriram, made his ONE Championship debut in May 2025, with a notable victory against Kaisit Por Prachansri.
Petchmay MC Superlek (90 fights), also from Buriram, distinguished himself in his first fight at ONE in August 2024 with a spectacular KO against Sungprab Lookpichit.
Denphuthai MC Superlek (160 fights), originally from Udon Thani, fight on the major circuits in Bangkok. He already has two appearances at ONE in 2024, with one win and one loss to his name.
The MC Superlek Muay Thai Gym is also beginning to attract attention beyond its borders. A few foreign fighters have already trained there, attracted by the camp’s authentic atmosphere and proximity to a Muay Thai star. Open to all levels, the camp welcomes both beginners and experienced fighters, each with the opportunity to learn alongside a champion at the top of his game.
Superlek Kiatmuu 9 was born on November 6, 1995, in the village of Takothapi in the Buriram region, in the northeast of the country. His real name is Manachai Yiamsiri.
Young Manachai’s father passed away just before his birth. His mother, who lived in extreme poverty, had to leave her child with her parents. Alone, she went to the country’s capital, Bangkok, to find work.
Manachai was raised by his grandparents; he didn’t meet his father until the age of 23, when he was required to perform his military service. According to government regulations, Manachai was required to present his father’s ID card. So, he asked the police for help in tracing his father using his name on the civil registry. The police eventually located his father, and Manachai met his biological father in Chonburi province. He had the opportunity to pay his respects to him for the first time in his life after 23 years of separation…
It was Manachai’s grandfather who took him to the Kiatmuu 9 boxing camp to learn the basics of the sport and become a professional boxer. He hoped his grandson would help ease the burden on the Yiamsiri family…
Manachai took the fighting name “Superlek Kiatmuu9.” Young Superlek (Little Super) began his Muay Thai training at the age of 7, and just a few months after starting, he won his first fight on points.
In this camp, Superlek was also introduced to boxing by his uncles who are professional boxers. One of his uncles is none other than the ring star Singdam Kiatmuu 9 (Lumpinee Champion, Thailand Champion, winner of the Toyota Cup Tournament, “Best Fighter of the Year 2002”), and the other is Seuadam Kiatmuu 9 who later fought under the name Seuadam Khongsittha.
Superlek spent his entire career in the Kiatmuu 9 camp, a camp that has become very famous today with the champions Singdam, Panomrunglek, Phetpanomrung, Wanchaï and Rungnaraï.
In the world of Muay Thai in Thailand, everyone knows the exceptional reputation of the fighters at Kiatmuu 9 camp (pronounced Kiatmou Kao, 9 in Thai = Kao). This small rural camp has become one of the best camps in the country. It was created by Mr. Sutjai Pumprakhon, who succeeded in the audacious challenge of transforming young provincial boxers into ring stars. The camp is located in Village No. 9 in the Takothapi district, 30 km from the large city of Buriram in the northeast region.
Open for some twenty years, Kiatmuu 9 Gym has twice been voted “Best Camp of the Year,” in 2002 and 2013, by the prestigious Sports Authority of Thailand!
At just 16 years old, Superlek won his first belt, the Thai 105 lbs belt against Phetsakon F.A. Group in 2011.
In 2012, at the age of 17, he defeated Palangphon Watcharachai Gym for the 112 lbs Thailand belt. He then won the 115 lbs Lumpinee belt against Muangthai Sor Bounyiam.
In 2013, he won the 118 lbs Lumpinee belt against Mondam Sor Weerapon and the 126 lbs Thailand belt against Thanonchai Tor Sangtiennoi.
In 2013, he lost on points to the formidable Wanchalong and lost twice to the star Sam-A Kaiyanghaddao. But in 2014, on March 30, in the southern province of Songkla, he defeated the new Lumpinee 126 lbs title holder, Superbank Sackchaichote, on points.
On September 23, 2016, the young Superlek won the WBC 130 lbs world title by defeating the bull Seksan Sor Sommai.
Three years later, on July 11, 2019, at the Radja stadium, Superlek met Rangkhao Wor Sangprapai for the Radja title in 130 lbs and he lost on points to Rangkhao…
In 2020, Superlek signed to fight for the One Championship organization, where he defeated Laotian Lao Chetra, Spaniard Rui Botelho, prodigy Phanpayak Jitmuangnon, and Tunisian Fahdi Khaled. He lost on points for the One Championship world title in -61 kg in kickboxing style against Dutch-Moroccan Ilias Ennahachi.
On April 7, 2022, at the Radja Stadium, Superlek won the Tru4You 140 lbs belt by defeating Superball Teded99 (Thailand Champion).
On January 14, 2023, against Spaniard Daniel Puertas Gallardo (ISKA World Champion), Superlek became the One Championship World Champion in Kickboxing style at 135 lbs, a belt he brilliantly defended against Australian Danial Williams (victory by knockout)!
Superlek then defeated the great Franco-Thai champion Nabil Anane and the Russian Tagir Khalilov by knockout.
On September 22, 2023, Superlek waged a fierce battle against the current terror of the ring, the tank Rodtank Jitmuangnon. Superlek ended the match with a bloody head. He defeated Rodtank on points (Superlek was nearly 3 kg heavier than Rodtank for this match, according to Muay Thai rules).
On January 28, 2024, in Japan, he successfully defended his ONE Kickboxing World Championship title against Japanese star Takeru Segawa (K1 World Champion). Five months later, he defeated the formidable Kongthoranee Sor Sommai (Radja Champion, Thai Champion) on points.
On September 6, 2024, Superlek put on a magnificent performance by knocking out English superstar Jonathan Haggerty (ONE Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Champion) in the first round with a lightning elbow. He seized the ONE Muay Thai World Championship title that the English champion had held for a year.
Superlek fought his last fight on March 23, 2025, in Japan against rising star Nabil Anane. This rematch, normally with the ONE Muay Thai World Championship title at stake, ended in a points defeat for the untitled Thai. Superlek was stripped of his title because he was underweight for this world championship…
Superlek has a total of 173 fights, including 139 wins, 30 losses, and 4 draws. He is a magnificent, highly technical fighter and is one of the young prodigies of the 2010 generation.
In 2012, Superlek received the “Best Boxer of the Year” award from the Sports Authority of Thailand, and he was voted “Best Boxer of the Year 2024” in his category by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and The Sports Authority of Thailand!