Thohsaphol Sitiwatjana ( th, ทศพร สิทธิวัจน์; born May 4, 1953) is a Thai martial artist and

Muay Thai Muay Thai ( th, มวยไทย, , ), sometimes referred to as Thai boxing, is a combat sport that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. This discipline is known as the "art of eight limbs", as it is characterised ...

instructor. He is known as Master Toddy because after moving to the UK, people were unable to pronounce his name correctly.Hallander, Jane, (December 1993), "The Logic of Leg Kicks", "Complete Guide to Kicking & Stretching", Retrieved 13 October 2014. Thosophon has been a Muay Thai instructor since the age of 16Presutti, Tania (Issue 6 2009), "Training with the Legend", "World Muay Thai Magazine", Retrieved 13 October 2014 and has trained over 40 world champions over 5 decades.Perez, Lhet (June 2011), "Muay Thai Grand Master", "Thailand Panorama", Retrieved 13 October 2014 He has also featured in several movies and produced his own TV Shows.

Biography and career

Thosopon Sitiwatjana was born the son of Sophorn Sitiwatjana (Deceased) Ex-Police Chief and Sudsac Sitiwatjana. From the age of 5 years old Thosophon has been fascinated by martial arts including Tae Kwon Do and

. By the age of 13 he had acquired a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Thosophon trained in Muay Thai under Seri Ramaruud, Sanong Rakwanid and Pansak Ratanaprasit. At 16 years of age he was given his first chance to teach Muay Thai after his teacher fell ill and within just a few years he became head coach at his school. Thosophon started to adapt his training style including various capabilities of strength and style. He would train his own agility, skill and strength by wrestling crocodiles at the Samut Prakarn crocodile farm which was previously owned by his parents. Muay Thai is seen by many in Thailand as being a poor man's sport and as such Thosophons' parents were opposed to him taking part in fights. Thosophon would often sneak out and take part in bare Knuckle fights on the streets of Bangkok as well as temple fights when they were offered to him. After graduating from college Thosophon decided to audition for a role in the James Bond film " The Man with the Golden Gun". In order to get the part he fought four of six students from

Bruce Lee Bruce Lee (; born Lee Jun-fan, ; November 27, 1940 – July 20, 1973) was a Hong Kong and American martial artist and actor. He was the founder of Jeet Kune Do, a hybrid martial arts philosophy drawing from different combat disciplines that ...

's school of Jeet Kune Do. After beating four of the students the remaining two withdrew and thus Thosophon had gotten the part. He also gave special training to

Roger Moore Sir Roger George Moore (14 October 192723 May 2017) was an English actor. He was the third actor to portray fictional British secret agent James Bond in the Eon Productions film series, playing the character in seven feature films between 19 ...

for his part in the film. After filming "The Man with the Golden Gun", Thosophon made his way to England in 1975. He is widely known there as the "Father of Muay Thai" where he is widely credited with introducing Muay Thai to England. Thosophon moved to Manchester where he opened a Muay Thai Gym. There he trained many fighters such as "Kash "The Flash" Gill" and

Lisa Howarth Lisa Howarth is a retired British professional kickboxer who is a former World Kickboxing Association champion. Personal life Dakota Ditcheva is a professional muay thai fighter and daughter of Lisa Howarth. Titles *1995 – WKA Super Bantam ...

but arguably his most successful fighter was Ronnie Green who became 5 time world Muay Thai Champion under Thosophon. His gym in Manchester, England is still running today and is now owned by his younger brother (himself a highly successful Muay Thai Instructor) Master A. In 1993, Thosophon left England and moved to Las Vegas, United States. After several failed ventures trying to introduce the art of Muay Thai to the United States of America Thosophon finally found extreme success opening "Master Toddy's U.S. Muay Thai Center".Mamaril, Cynthia (February 2005), "Kicking The Odds", "MA Success", Retrieved 13 October 2014 He believes that opening a gym in America has made him "a black belt in business". At one point "Master Toddy's U.S. Muay Thai Center" had up to 480 active students enrolled and he was earning up to $50000 each month. During his time in The States Thosophon trained many fighters including Gina Carano, Randy Couture and Tito Ortiz. After spending 16 years in the U.S.A. Thosophon decided it was time to move home back to Thailand. In 2009 he did just that after purchasing land in the Samut Prakan district just south of Bangkok. The gym named "Master Toddy's Muay Thai Academy" not only trains students who want to learn the art of Muay Thai but also those wanting to become a "Kru" or teacher of Muay Thai. Both Thosophon himself and the gym he owns has been accredited by the Thai Government on several occasions

Notable fighters trained

* Kevin Ross * Kit Cope * Gina Carano * Phil Baroni * Randy Couture * Tito Ortiz *

Stephan Bonnar Stephan Patrick Bonnar (April 4, 1977 – December 22, 2022) was an American mixed martial artist. Bonnar competed as a Light Heavyweight in the UFC for most of his career. Bonnar was the runner-up on The Ultimate Fighter 1, his TUF Ultimate Fi ...

Bob Sapp Robert Malcolm Sapp (born September 22, 1973) is an American mixed martial artist, kickboxer, professional wrestler, actor, and former American football player. He is currently under contract with Rizin Fighting Federation. Sapp has a combine ...

* Chuck Lidell * Jason David Frank * Maurice Smith * Dale Cook * Melchor Menor * Ronnie Green

Screen appearances

* 2014: My Morphin' Life - Jason David Frank * 2007: Warrior Nation on MSNBC * 2006: Fight Girls * 2005: Ring Girls * 2005: Criss Angel Mindfreak * 1996: Sword Of Honour * 1974: The Man With the Golden Gun

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Sitiwatjana, Thohsaphol 1953 births Place of birth missing (living people) Living people Thohsaphol Sitiwatjana Thohsaphol Sitiwatjana Thohsaphol Sitiwatjana Thohsaphol Sitiwatjana Thohsaphol Sitiwatjana Thohsaphol Sitiwatjana Thohsaphol Sitiwatjana Thohsaphol Sitiwatjana Thohsaphol Sitiwatjana