🥊 The Warrior Within: A Conversation with Kru Yuri, Muay Thai Veteran with 100+ Fights
- Shikher
- Jun 26
- 5 min read
With over 100 fights under his belt and more than 40 years of martial arts experience, Kru Yuri stands as a living embodiment of the Muay Thai warrior spirit. Having trained and fought extensively across Thailand, his journey reflects grit, humility, and unshakable determination.
In this in-depth conversation at Kombat Hall, we sat down with Kru Yuri to explore the fight culture of Thailand, lessons from the ring, and advice for young students stepping into Muay Thai.
🧍♂️ Personal Journey
From a Skinny Schoolboy to Muay Thai Fighter
“I started with Karate in 1980, but a weekly Muay Thai program on TV hooked me. Since no one was teaching it in India, I flew to Thailand."
After six months of intense training, Kru Yuri’s debut didn’t go as expected. His opponent backed out, and he was offered a replacement—an older, much heavier man. “My trainer simply said, ‘Fight’. I went in hard and somehow won in the second round. It was in Issan, a tiny village stadium near Bangkok with maybe 200 people, but that’s where it began.”
Karate Beginnings and the Road to Thailand
I was bullied in school for being too skinny. A neighbor introduced me to a Kyokushin Karate dojo led by an Iranian army veteran. Training was brutal—bare knuckles, concrete floor. Sparring days were bloodbaths. Thursdays, especially, were feared and if you miss you get beaten up next day.
When the dojo shut down, a spark from a Thai boxing match on TV lit the fire again. A few connections and months later, he was in Bangkok, training at renowned gyms like Kaesamrit, Sasiprapa, and eventually Sitmonchai.
“Sitmonchai was my home. Not many foreigners knew of it, but it shaped me.”
🧠 Lessons from the Ring
What the Ring Teaches You
There’s no hiding in the ring. It’s just you and the other guy trying to take your head off. I was scared—still am. Anyone who says otherwise is lying.
Fear wasn’t the problem. Blackouts were. “Your mind blanks, you forget everything. It took years to learn how to stay aware. When I was hurt, I’d take two days off, reflect, and come back stronger.
Jai Soo (Thai)– Fighting with Heart
I fought with broken bones, torn knees, and no excuses. I once fought an Indonesian opponent with my knee wrapped in bandages—and won. Nobody at home knew. I didn’t want sympathy.
His mantra? Jai Soo, or fighting heart.
“You may have poor technique, but if you have heart, the Thais will respect you. You don’t quit if you have Jai Soo.”
🧘 Mindset & Mental Toughness
The Mental Game Before a Fight
“Nervousness is natural. Whether it’s your first or 100th fight, the mind plays tricks—‘Did I eat too much? Did I train enough?’ Eventually, I learned to block it out, focus on my breath, and get ready.”
He’s not one for rituals, but once the Mongkol ( Head band ) and Prajiat ( Arm band ) go on, he whispers a quiet prayer for strength and safety.
Visualizing Victory
“I use visualization—not to escape fear, but to expect it. I read a lot about champions and imagine how those champions would respond in my shoes. If I lose, I want to go down fighting like a gladiator, not wondering ‘what if...’”
🥋 Training, Style & Philosophy
Favorite Technique?
“Leg kicks and liver punches. I won 70% of my fights with those. Jab and low kick. Body punch and low kick. High kicks fade as we age, but low kicks—they’re forever.”
Endurance vs. Power
A fighter needs both. Endurance comes from repeating techniques for hours. Power comes from deadlifts and intensity. They’re two halves of the same warrior.
Clinching & Stance
"Clinching is a science. It's painful, exhausting, and critical. Once you're cornered, it’s your best shot at survival.”
There is a proper Muay Thai stance—short, weight distributed, always shifting. It’s not personal preference. It’s evolved for a reason.
📚 Advice for Students
To Beginners
“Muay Thai is beautiful, but brutal. You’ll bleed, you’ll sacrifice social life, and you’ll be sore. If you don’t have heart, you won’t last. But if you do—it will transform you.”
Getting Hit in Sparring
It’s like football. You will fall. Protect yourself, build up slowly, but accept the hits. Those scared of getting hit—it's visible in their body language.
The Power of Mindset
More than strength or technique, mindset wins fights. Mindset accepts pain, setbacks, discomfort. If you don’t have it, no coach can give it to you.
Good vs. Great Students
“A good student shows up. A great student lives the art, studies beyond the gym, helps others, and never makes training optional.”
🧭 Culture & Legacy
Toughest Opponent
“Azeez— he was relentless. He outscored me and I was battered. Another time, a Japanese K-1 fighter knocked me out with a body punch. I never blamed anyone. Every loss taught me something.”
Thai vs. Indian Fight Culture
In Thailand, fighting puts food on the table. Kids start young because education is expensive. In India, it’s often just fitness. Most families aren’t ready to see kids bruised and bloodied.
Can India Compete?
It’s still a niche here. We need gyms, coaches, and sponsors. MMA is growing, but for Muay Thai—we’re not there yet.
Remaining Humble After 100+ Fights
“Humility comes with time. I was aggressive early on, but I grew. Fighters who don’t trash talk, who respect every opponent—those are the ones I admire most.”
Final Thoughts
From backstreet dojos in Delhi to stadiums in Thailand, from crushing defeats to glorious victories—Kru Yuri has lived the warrior’s life. Through it all, one principle never left his side: Never back down. Never quit. Always fight with Jai Soo.
🙌 Train with the Legend
Today, Kru Yuri teaches Muay Thai at Kombat Hall, bringing his decades of ring wisdom to the next generation. Whether you dream of fighting or simply becoming stronger in life—there’s no better place to learn than from someone who’s lived the fight, a hundred times over.
👤 About the Author
This blog is based on an in-depth conversation between Kru Yuri, a Muay Thai veteran with over 100 fights in Thailand, and Sensei Shikher, founder of Kombat Hall and a lifelong martial arts practitioner.
With over 40 years of experience, Kru Yuri now teaches authentic Muay Thai at Kombat Hall, bringing traditional Thai fight culture to India. This interaction was documented by Sensei Shikher to share the invaluable lessons and warrior spirit that define Kru Yuri’s legacy.
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