11:56am Wednesday 27th June 2001
THAI boxing conjures up images of Jean Claude van Damme in various movies, but is not all about the fighting as Thai boxing offers much more, according to promoter and coach Sean Toomey.
Most peopele who attend Sean's Lumpini Club, in Dartford, are not active fighters, but use the martial art for weight loss, fitness, self-
defence and building confidence.
At other times, Sean trains promising fighters for world title fights, which he also co-promotes.
He said: “Our gym is very popular with women, as it is good for fitness and it's more exciting than aerobics.
“It is great for weight loss, self-confidence and to learn self-defence. We have around 15 to 20 girls at the club and they seem to learn a lot quicker than the boys, too.
“One guy was bullied at school all the time and came along to our gym. He conquered his fears by doing Thai boxing and is now in the marines. Like all martial arts, you also learn discipline and
respect for others.
“But it is rewarding to see people overcome various problems through the martial art.”
Four fighters from his gym will be on Alan Keddle's and Sean Toomey's show in August in Leicester Square, when the event will also be televised.
There will be an England versus Finland match with six inter-continental belts up for grabs, along with a European title.
Sean added: “Danny Harris, who is 18, has been training with me for three years and has had eight fights. Among those he has fought are British champion Steven Wakeling and Junior British champion Scott McAlinden.
“After his third fight, in 1999, a world champion from Holland said that Danny would one day be a world champion. On the bill in August, he will be fighting for the British welterweight title.
“Simon Clarke is 30 and has been training for 18 months. He has won the two fights he's had so far and will be fighting for the Southern Area Super Light-heavyweight title.
“Lee Kelman, who is a 32-year-old doorman from Gravesend, has had four fights and will be fighting for the English Heavyweight title.
“Finally, there's Jason Reeves. He is a 30-year-old ex-paratrooper who has been training for about a year. He recently had his first fight and is feeling very confident.
“As Jason says, if you can survive the parachute regiment, you can survive anything.”
As a youngster, Sean was into amateur boxing but he gave it up at 18 when he had problems with his eyesight.
Later he tried a few martial arts, but did not really like it and eventualy turned to Thai boxing after watching a programme on television about it.
He then joined a gym above the Thomas A'Beckett pub in the Old Kent Road and was trained by a top fighter from Thailand, Narong Sudsavart.
Sean fought 14 times, winning 12 and losing two on points before he stopped fighting at the age of 26.
Sean claims to be one of the pioneers of Thai boxing in this part of the world in the mid-eighties and he eventually opened up his own club in 1991. He is also a qualified Thai boxing instructor and English ABA coach.
The Leicester Square show will take place on August 19, at Equinox nightclub.
The Lumpini Club meets on Tuesday nights at the Highfield Centre, Dartford, and Thursdays at Topnotch Health Club, Maidstone, from 8pm to 9.30pm.
For details on classes, which are suitable for all ages of both sexes, call Sean on 01732 457604 or 07946 153082.
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