Muay Thai

Trương Cao Minh Phát of Việt Nam (left) leaves his left hook on Italian Omar Drissi.during the Muay Super Champ in 2022. The Vietnamese will take part in the WBC Muay Thai International Title match on July 16 in HCM City. Photo of Trương Cao Minh Phát

Thanh Hà

He begins his day with Muay Thai and wraps it up in a cage. The circle of tough exercises and sparring has been repeated for many years, creating a strong, brave and wiry fighter, with an intense dedication.

Trương Cao Minh Phát is focused on winning Việt Nam the World Boxing Council (WBC) Muay Thai International Title on July 16 in HCM City.

"It is my third belt fight but the biggest one in my career. The WBC Muay Thai International Title is only one step lower than the WBC Muay Thai Championship, one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world of professional Muay," Phát told Việt Nam News.

"It is the most meaningful match for me as I will fight on home ground where I will face my most difficult rival ever."

Martial arts lover

Born in 1995 in the Central Highlands province of Lâm Đồng, Phát fell in love with martial arts when he was small.

He first practised taekwondo and Việt Nam traditional martial arts before he recognised Muay Thai as his true passion.

Trương Cao Minh Phát lands a kick on the face of Chaichana Peakuthai of Thailand in the Muay Super Champ in 2022. Phát not only has powerful punches but also owns heavy kicks that can knock out his rivals. Photo of Trương Cao Minh Phát

"During my training, I was inspired by a Muay Thai statue of Việt Nam, fighter Nguyễn Trần Duy Nhất. He won the world championship title when I was an 11th grader. Despite my family disagreeing, I spent time researching kung fu and switched to it. At the age of 18, I left Lâm Đồng Province for HCM City for further studying and fighting," Phát said.

"I just practised for fitness and fun at first, but it has been 15 years I have been attached to Muay Thai, and now I am a professional fighter."

After three years of practising, Phát earned his first positive results in competition. Later, he joined the Saigon Sports Club whose managers sent him to Thailand, the motherland of Muay, to sharpen his skills and improve his technique over five months.

He said the time in Thailand was a terrible period as he suffered tons of vicious punches, kicks and elbow and knee strikes from his trainers and sparring partners. However, he learnt Muay from the finest and strongly developed.

Giant killer

Phát is now famous locally and regionally in both amateur and professional competitions.

Under his belt are six national championship titles, one bronze and one silver from the SEA Games and one bronze from the Asian championship.

Professionally, he won in the 2018 Mekong Fighting Championship and the 2022 Muay Thai Grand Prix: The Home Coming.

He is currently No 15 in the world ranking in the super feather weight class.

In Việt Nam he is the biggest giant killer after beating three top fighters.

With his smart tactics and exceptional fitness, Phát knocked out title favourite Nguyễn Doãn Long in the 2016 national championship. He floored Võ Văn Đài at the 2018 national club championship. He also made a big bang in the Muay Thai community by beating the legendary Nhất, a 12-times winner, on points in the 2019 national championship.

After that milestone, Phát was nicknamed 'the overthrower'.

"I have great coaches in both clubs in Việt Nam and Thailand. Facing stronger opponents in training helped to push me beyond my limits," said Phát.

"I was so happy with the win. Beating giant Muay names makes me over the moon. It was a force for me to take higher results."

Coach Nguyễn Kế Nhơn praised Phát's personality and strongly believes in a bright future for the man.

"He is a social and friendly man in daily life but a brave and dedicated fighter," Nhơn told Việt Nam News.

"He has special inner strength and a heavy left hook. His kicks are also powerful. The more he fights, the better he gets. He is currently in his best development period and needs more support to reach a higher level."

As one of the fighters in the world top 15, Phát is qualified for a belt title match in the WBC. He will face Morrocan Hicham Boulahri to vie for the super featherweight title on July 16.

"I believe that every fighter, no matter how good they are, feels nervous ahead of their matches. But I am training with high focus and determination for a win," Phát said.

Trương Cao Minh Phát (right) seen in a training session at the Saigon Sports Club which will host the WBC) Muay Thai International Title on July 16 in HCM City. Photo courtesy of SSC

Although Boulahri is two steps lower than Phát in the ranking, it is still a tough challenge for the Vietnamese.

"Athletes in the top 20 are strong. I always ask myself to be focused and fight hard against all rivals to ensure positive results," he said.

Coach Nhơn has built up a special training schedule for Phát to become a WBC winner.

"Boulahri is physically strong. He also has heavy punches after a long-time training in Thailand. He will be a formidable opponent for Phát in a fierce match," said Nhơn.

"But I have prepared him well in both fitness and tactics and believe that Phát will overcome this difficult challenge."

With Muay in his blood, Phát said he had no regrets about deciding to pursue martial arts as a career.

"I believe that my youth has been used usefully and joyfully. I live with passion and can establish a small club in my home town. It will be a great ground for martial art lovers where I can find new Muay talents for Việt Nam," Phát said. - VNS