One Muay Thai Superstar Has Always Pushed Petchdam Toward Greatness

Petchdam Petchyindee Academy poses on top of the Circle

From starting out in his small Thai village to becoming a World Champion in the capital of Bangkok, Petchdam Petchyindee Academy has had a friend and mentor in his corner every step of the way.

The 20-year-old flyweight hero will return to action at ONE: CALL TO GREATNESS this Friday, 22 February against Japan’s Masahide Kudo, and like always, he will be supported by fellow ONE Super Series hero, Petchmorrakot Petchyindee Academy.

ONE Super Series knockout artist Petchdam is BACK on 22 February!

ONE Super Series knockout artist Petchdam is BACK on 22 February!Singapore | 22 February | 7:00PM | LIVE and FREE on the ONE Super App: http://bit.ly/ONESuperApp | TV: Check local listings for global broadcast | Tickets: http://bit.ly/onegreatness19

Posted by ONE Championship on Sunday, January 27, 2019

Many coaches, training partners, and supporters have aided Petchdam in his career, but there are very few who can claim to have been there from the very beginning and remain by his side now.

Petchmorrakot hails from the same village in the province of Ubon Ratchathani, and as his senior by five years, he was introduced to the art of eight limbs first.

The future WBC Muay Thai World Champion was inspired by what he saw, and committed to following in his footsteps.

“I remember going out to play soccer with my friends, and I saw Petchmorrakot running,” Petchdam explains.

“He was training for a fight. I wanted to train as well, so I followed him to the gym.”

Taking on a relationship similar to that of a big brother, Petchmorrakot took his young charge under his wing.

Name something more powerful than Muay Thai World Champion Petchdam's kicks. We'll wait…

Name something more powerful than Muay Thai World Champion Petchdam Gaiyanghadao – เพชรดำ เพชรยินดีอคาเดมี่'s kicks. We'll wait… Singapore | 22 February | 6:00PM | LIVE and FREE on the ONE Super App: http://bit.ly/ONESuperApp | TV: Check local listings for global broadcast | Tickets: http://bit.ly/onegreatness19

Posted by ONE Championship on Thursday, February 7, 2019

He helped Petchdam with techniques in training and spent time with him joking around together outside the gym.

It was not long before the pair became inseparable. When Petchdam was allowed to compete for the first time, Petchmorrakot joined his coaches to support his teammate.

“He’s like my older brother. We are very close,” Petchdam says.

“When I would fight, he would always be in my corner. I’ve always looked up to him.”

Having already started his Muay Thai career three years before Petchdam, Petchmorrakot soon left home behind to move to Bangkok and take the next step in his career when he was scouted by the famous Petchyindee Academy.

Through he was disappointed to see his friend leave, the younger nak muay was encouraged to stay dedicated to his sport so he could follow the same path when he was old enough.

“I saw him getting big opportunities in Bangkok, and it helped keep me focused,” he explains.

“I trained harder because I wanted the same for myself.

“We’re from the same small village, so I figured if he could make it, so could I.”

Petchdam continued to put in the hours in his hometown until he too was ready to take off for the big time.

Once he reached the right age to start competing on Bangkok’s elite stadium circuit, he packed his bags and followed his mentor to the big city.

Just like Petchmorrakot, he received a culture shock when first arrived at his new home. Fortunately, his old friend was there to help him adjust and settle into his new surroundings.

“Bangkok is so big and noisy compared to my village. It was really overwhelming at first. Petchyindee is huge, and there are so many fighters there,” he says.

“Having Petchmorrakot there when I arrived really helped me settle in. It felt like a home away from home.”

Since then, both athletes have flourished in their careers and become World Champions.

Petchdam will enter his ONE Super Series kickboxing match in the Singapore Indoor Stadium this Friday with an incredible 92 professional wins on his record, including two victories in his first two matches in The Home Of Martial Arts.

That success is down to hard work, and the fellow villagers push each other in training. Beyond that, they also keep each others’ spirits up through the grueling sessions they go through every day.

Anyone who has seen Petchdam’s walkouts, celebrations, and social media posts know he does not take himself too seriously, and his teammate is always around to share a joke.

UNBELIEVABLE precision from Petchdam!

UNBELIEVABLE precision from Petchdam Gaiyanghadao – เพชรดำ เพชรยินดีอคาเดมี่!Singapore | 22 February | 6:00PM | LIVE and FREE on the ONE Super App: http://bit.ly/ONESuperApp | TV: Check local listings for global broadcast | Tickets: http://bit.ly/onegreatness19

Posted by ONE Championship on Wednesday, January 30, 2019

“Petchmorrakot is just fun to be around. He’s never too serious, and is always there to make me laugh,” he adds.

However, when it comes to the serious business of preparing to compete, both Petchmorrakot and Petchdam are 100 percent focused.

There is no doubt the younger of these two World Champions will show that in Singapore at ONE: CALL TO GREATNESS.

More in Features

Kade Ruotolo Blake Cooper ONE 167 68
Buchecha throws heavy strikes on the mat against Kang Ji Won at ONE: WINTER WARRIORS.
Reinier de Ridder Anatoly Malykhin ONE 166 20
Aliff Sor Dechapan Zakaria El Jamari ONE Fight Night 24 55
Jacob Smith Denis Puric ONE Fight Night 21 18
Phetjeeja Anissa Meksen ONE Friday Fights 46 45
Danny Kingad Yuya Wakamatsu ONE 165 23
Sage Northcutt Ahmed Mujtaba ONE Fight Night 10 33
Kade Ruotolo Blake Cooper ONE 167 75
Panpayak Jitmuangnon kicks Superlek Kiatmoo9 at ONE 164
Demetrious Johnson Adriano Moraes ONE Fight Night 10 67
Jonathan Haggerty Superlek Kiatmoo9 ONE 168 44