On March 14 Muay Thai kickboxing trainer Kru Toy Yodtong and one of the top striking coaches in the sport of mixed martial arts, Mark DellaGrotte, conducted a sold out seminar at Nexus Martial Arts & Fitness in Wareham.

Kru (Thai for “teacher”) Yodtong is a master instructor in the art of Muay Thai (the national sport in Thailand) and head trainer of the Sityodtong camp in Thailand, which has produced the most champions in the art as well as two world champions in Western boxing. The camp was founded by his father, Dr. Yodtong Senan, who is the only individual ever to have been appointed the international conservator of authentic Muay Thai by the Kingdom of Thailand itself.

Kru DellaGrotte is the director of Sityodtong in the U.S., and is widely considered to be one of the top Thai boxing and mixed martial arts trainers in the country, according to Stephen Whittier Chief Instructor at Nexus.

Whittier, who is the senior representative for Sityodtong in Southern Massachusetts, assisted the seminar instructors.

The event drew nearly 30 students spanning in ages from 10 to  50-years-old. Along with vigorous training of the finer points in the art, which is considered to be the most formidable style of kickboxing in the world as well as a popular fitness workout, Kru Yodtong and Kru DellaGrotte also educated the students on the history and uniqueness of the famed Sityodtong style.

“As always the seminar received rave reviews. When you train with the best of the best, you can’t help but get better," Whittier stated. This is the world-class education that drew me to train with Sityodtong in the first place, and now I am really happy to have my students reap the benefits.”

DellaGrotte was equally complimentary to the Nexus attendees for their sincere willingness to learn and share the art at the highest level. He also lauded Whittier for being one of his top trainers, and “one of the few ‘farang’ (Thai for foreigners) who I have ever trained who can truly emulate the real, authentic Sityodtong style of Thai boxing.”