USMTA OFFICE DIRECTORY-1

 All Officers are required to show and or display the official badge at all functions and events pertaining to his or her duties.

All USMTA officers should contact the National  Headquarters for further information.

Arjarn Tong Trithara has fought a few times in Central and Southern Thailand accumulating around 22 fights. On May 5th 1971 at the age of eighteen, Tong traveled to the United States of America. He began to train at the Thai Boxing Academy (The first Thai Boxing school in the United States) and was under the instruction of another famous Muay Thai and western style boxing champion champion named "Niyom Prasertsom" at the The Thai Boxing Academy in Hollywood, California. 1979 Tong decided to move to Springfield, Missouri and began teaching and promoting small Muay Thai events until 1985.

  He has worked as coach and corner-man in many Thai Champion's corner who came to America to compete in International events.  He became the Thai Interpreter and advisor for the International Thai Teams that came to the United States, in the City of Tulsa, Oklahoma (twice), the City of Los Angeles, California and the City of Phoenix, in Arizona. He became the founder of the the Muay Thai Academy in Springfield Missouri in 1989 and formed the Muay Thai U.S.A. Association in the same year. In 1991 Tong was appointed as a State Athletic Inspector, and finally as  a State Athletic Advisor for the State of Missouri. Over the 20 years Tong has trained hundreds of American and European Muay Thai Fighter and  several Thai Champion Muay Thai fighters: Arjarn Tong  became a USMTA Director and technical advisor in 2008.

Rick Caudle has 32 years of Martial Arts experience and has trained with several of the top instructors including: Sifu Paul Vunak, Sijo James DeMile, Sifu Kevin Seaman, Master Will Higginbotham, Guro Chuck Gauss, & Kru Muay Suwat Sidthilaw of Thailand. He has also attended seminars with: Dan Inosanto, Larry Hartsell, Francis Fong, Tim Tackett, and Chai Sirisute.

In 2006 Rick became USMTA State Director for Tennessee.In 1990, Rick had the unique experience of living and training with a native Thai instructor, Suwat Sidthilaw. Kruu Sidthilaw was raised in the jungle area of Northern Thailand called Chieng Mai, where his father was the local Muay Thai champion. Often times they would challenge their neighbor and meet to fight in the dirt roads that connected their villages. This resulted in the development of a lethal style of Muay Thai that goes beyond what you see in the ring. Chosen for his experience in Traditional Muay Thai, Kru Rick is the Tennessee State Director for the United States Muay Thai Association. 

Kru Brooks Miller, aka “Khun Kao Charuad” - King of Rocket Knees  has been involved in the sport of MuayThai for the last 15 years.  He has won 3 U.S. East Coast MuayThai Championship Titles in 3 different weight classes. He was a founding member of Master K’s (Ajarn Kumron Vaitayanon) SuriyaSak Fight Team, and was awarded the title of "Kru" by Master K in 1998. Kru Brooks has taught MuayThai in a number of locations throughout the Washington Metropolitan area,

 including Lloyd Irvin's main branch in Camp Springs, MD and at CIA Headquarters in Langley, VA.  In addition to coaching and managing fighters, Kru Brooks is the Kickboxing Forum moderator on MMA.TV (the world's leading Mixed Martial Arts website!), and is a world-renowned author of MuayThai tutorials, having his work published in 147 countries worldwide! Most recently, Brooks has founded "Khun Kao Promotions" in an effort to promote novice MuayThai events in Maryland, DC, & Virginia.  For more information about Kru Brooks & Khun Kao Promotions, visit his website at:   http://khunkao.com   (see US instructors for more info)

Kru Suuan Paul Kimball of PK  Muay Thai, has trained in Muay Thai, Jeet Kune Do, and also studied kali at the Minnesota Kali.  Paul has studied Muay Thai under instructor Dennis (DJ) Phalen of SD.  Paul is also a noted budding Muay Thai  fighter, and looks forward to continuing his career in both fields as a fighter and as a representative of the sport in the States of South Dakota.  Currently Paul runs PK Muay Thai, is a full time ISSA certified Personal Trainer, and fighter developer.  www.pkmuaythai.com

Kru DJ Phalen  (former South Dakota State Director) Current California & South Dakota State Representative, has trained in Muay Thai, Jeet Kune Do, Judo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Combat Hapkido, Knife Fighting Systems, Krav Maga, and others.  However, it is his love of the beautiful simplicity in Muay Thai which makes it his favorite pursuit.  No other art can be so devastatingly effective with such a small (but refined) arsenal.  He continues to train and promote Muay Thai in South Dakota.

He is active in bringing Muay Thai to South Dakota on a larger scale, forming a brutally effective State Team, and hoping to send fighters to national and international bouts.  He is also involved in promoting Muay Thai to the community. Promoting training opportunities to local & state law enforcement  & is actively looking for ways to bring the ability to train and compete to low income families, as well as engage the Native American population in this tremendous sport.

Kru DJ is the owner & operator of SD Muay Thai, SoCalSD, FYU Fightgear, and Soldier Fightgear.  Among his other hobbies is the study of Sports Psychology, particularly as it applies to fighting, fear, and survival instincts and managing those responses.  You can contact him at dphalen2001@yahoo.com  or through www.PKMuayThai.com

Nick began promoting  the art of  Muay Thai in Las Vegas Nevada in 1994 and has promoted the sport till this day, he will help keep the sport growing as well as develop Champions and has trained over 10 world champions in all styles of fighting.  In 1995 he became the  Nevada State rep for the USMTA and has promoted only for the USMTA till this time, he sends his fighters to  Thailand to the Sasiprapa Gym in Bangkok where his fighters stay and train in the camp for several  months at a time.

 He has since returned to the  Promotion and training scene, and became State Representative for AZ in 1998. He continues to promote the sport, and is training Thai fighters at his camp in Tempe Arizona.

 military forms of combat from Muay Thai to Boar Bando, he was invited to become an instructor in the Combat and Commando Systems Divisions of the National training Camps of the ICKBA. He has Judged and Refereed over 120 fights in the ICKBA He specialized in training advanced combat and concepts to "Special Military Forces", Anti Terrorist's Team" and Special Police Forces he was also employed as a 'professional bodyguard'. One of his assignments was to the Royal Family of Nepal and the Royal A. D. C. to his Majesty the King of Nepal.  He is also a veteran of Hatha Yoga and is licensed instructor from the International Yoga Temple of Calcutta, India.

Soon after he moved to Colorado Springs and trained at the Air Force Academy and 3D Boxing under Dick Wood he continued his quest to become a world champion winning his next 24 fights. David then moved to Albuquerque and was managed and trained by Mr. Bill Packer and the Bad Company team.  David won his first world title 1990 by defeating Felipe Garcia in Denver Colorado for KICK title.  David has competed in 43 countries and has won titles in the following organizations.

ISKA World Champ, IKBO World Champ, WPKL World Champ, USMTA World Champ WKA World Champ, WSBA World Champ, KICK World Champ, WKC World Champ WKBA World Champ, IMTA Continental Champ. David has a true passion for Muay Thai and hopes to continue help the sport grow throughout the world.  He became a USMTA State Representative for Florida in 2001, before he became the Caribbean Representative in 2010   Dave's motto is “Train hard and the fight is easy”

 Douglas Owens:    Hawaii State :  Email: tiger_muay_thai@hotmail.com

Doug Owens has trained in several martial arts: Isshen Ryu Karate, American Kickboxing, and Muay Thai.  Of all three Muay Thai is the sport he loves..  Doug wants to continue promoting the art of Muay Thai in Hawaii.   With the help of the Muay Thai community Doug wants to promote Muay Thai and hold proper controlled and sanctioned events.  The  Island  of Oahu is known as the gathering place, this is where Doug has envisioned gathering competitors from around the globe for Muay Thai world championship quality competitions.

Doug held his the first Muay Thai Seminar in Hawaii under the  instruction of Arjarn Tong Trithara.  He plans to have more seminars to educate the competitors in Hawaii and invite those around the world. Doug  became the USMTA Director for the State of Hawaii  in 2008  He  is a  member of the United States Muay Thai Association (USMTA).Doug trained under Kru Anthony K. Mills and Arjarn Tong Trithara.

Kru Blake Grice  trained in Muay Thai boxing under Kru Scott Hicks, Brian Robertson, and Yahosuah Yahudah at Megalodon Gym in Commerce GA.  Traveled in 2008 to Thailand and spent time training at Phuket Muay Thai.   He  gained a  7-3 fight record   Head referee for state of Georgia for Muay Thai and MMA.  Head trainer at Evolution Combat Academy.  Work there full time teaching Muay Thai boxing and mma.  Became  State Director for  South Carolina in Jan 2009. He  is a  member of the United States Muay Thai Association (USMTA).

Clodfelter Bio: “Train your body Smarter not Harder” is the training and fitness philosophy of Professional Muay Thai and Professional Mixed Martial Arts Fighter Chris Clodfeter.  Clodfelter, a Certified Strength and  Fitness Trainer with the International Sports Sciences Association, has used his knowledge of Fitness to fuel his passion, teaching and competing in the martial arts.  Chris Clodfelter currently holds pro record of 9-5 in Mixed Martial Arts and 5-1 in Pro Muay Thai.

 Even though Chris loves testing his skills in the ring and is a fierce competitor with his fastest win coming by way of a technical knock out in 20 seconds, his true passion lies in teaching others confidence and discipline through the martial arts.  Chris has earned Black Belts in Karate, Judo, and Jiu-jitsu, but his true love is the fierce fighting style of Muay Thai Kickboxing.  Chris is a certified Kru under the World Professional Muay Thai Federation and under his coach Arjarn Rick Davis of Champion Muay Thai.  Clodfelter recently won the Circle of Fury Pro World Welterweight Title in 46 seconds of the very first round.  Clodfelter’s true joy is his 6yr old son Drake.  Chris enjoys teaching Muay Thai and helping fighters grow in their knowledge of the art. Chris  became the USMTA Director for North Carolina in February 2009

Kru John Harris Was the operations manager  and Senior instructor for Institute of Professional Executive Protection based in San Jose under Kru Suuan Nirmalya Bhowmick. He was also a Corrections Officer for Bernalillo County Corrections facility. A Professional Muay Thai Fighter. Kru John became a certified  Protection Specialist for Institute of Professional Executive Protection, and also a team member for IIPEP.  Is also ann structor for S.C.Q.C (Simultaneous Close Quarter Combat)

 I and Old Style Muay Thai (Chao Cherk) or  "Military Muay Thai". Kru John has  a Military back round (Army, Armor Division) and has received The Army Achievement Medal, and  also The California Commendation Medal. Kru John Harris became a USMTA Representative for Sacramento in 2003 

Paulo Tocha was given the fighting name of "Lemb", which means a thick piece of bamboo cut very sharply at an angle. It's commonly used in traps and for hunting. When a fighter receives a name, it just kind of happens, with the trainer choosing the name and it sticks to the fighter throughout his career. So, "Lemb" had a very respectable career as a fighter with many of his fights being underground matches which are truly brutal and separate the boys from the men.

 From Thailand, Paulo traveled to the People's Republic of China where he was once again the first foreigner to fight and win. The fight was an International event with many Thais, Brits and Canadians competing.   Paulo tries to encourage the proper promotion of Muay Thai in America and to eventually show the rest of the World that the United States can be a competitive force in Thai Boxing.

Kru Paul Barry studied American Kickboxing. he studied eight years at Ira Kendrick's and six years training with other  martial arts. While he was in Detroit,  he studied Muay Thai with Kru Suuan Mikhal Caldwell at the Black-feather Muay Thai Camp as well as training in other martial arts. Kru Paul Barry has recently been  practicing Muay Boran , Muay Chao Cherk. Paul became a representative for the USMTA in 2005. His addition to the team makes a great asset to Muay Thai in the State of Delaware.

Kru Rocky Browning has been training in the art of Muay Thai Kickboxing or "Thai Boxing" for over 10 years. His instructor, Kru Rick Caudle trained under Suwat Sidthilaw of Thailand. The Sidthilaw brand of Muay Thai is raw, brutal, and to the point. Suwat's father was his local village's Thai Boxing champion in Thailand. 

This form of Muay Thai was derived from the old ways of defense more closely related to Muay Chaiya and Muay Boran. Suwat later brought this form to Bangkok where he mixed it with the modern day Muay Thai we know today. Kru Rocky Browning also has an amateur Muay Thai record of 4-1. Due to an injury he was unable to pursue his dream as a Professional Muay Thai fighter. Rather then give up on his dream he chose to focus his efforts towards helping others follow their dreams and be everything they can be. Kru Rocky Browning has instructed several amateur fighters and has extensive experience in getting fighters ready for the ring.

5th Level Black Sash in Sil Lum Kung Fu / 4th degree black belt Shaolin Kempo under 1989-1992 World Heavyweight Koushu Champion Sigung Rusty Gray 10th level black sash. Sidithalaw Muay Thai Instructor under Kru Rick Caudle. R.A.T instructor under Sifu Rick Caudle. USA Boxing coach, I have studied Chinese Kick-boxing, Taekwondo,Aiki-Ju-jitsu, BJJ , Shootfighting, Submission Wrestling and Wado-Ryu Karate. I am also a certified Muay Thai judge and referee under the USMTA & AMTJRA. I am a state Representative for Kentucky and Tennessee. ISKA Tn Representative.

 Striking coach for Armbar MMA in Mt Juliet Tn, former coach at SSF Submission Academy in Clarksville Tn, and Boxing and Muay Thai coach for Sun Tzu/ Stone Warriors Combat Sports. Currently training several Pro MMA fighters and approximately 60 amateur MMA fighters. Several Amateur Muay Thai fighters and 10 Full Contact kick boxers, and several amateur boxers.

Coach of Chase Beasley WKKO 130lb National Kick Boxing Champion, 2009 119lb Tn State Silver Gloves Champion. Coach of Caleb Plant IKF 2009 Super-Middle Weight World Champion Kick Boxer, 2009 175lb Tn State Silver Gloves Champion, and Joseph Parrish 2008,2009 147lb Tn State Silver Gloves Champion.

  Scotland under guidance of Arjarn Tony Moore as  British Full Contact Open - competitor Retired due to serious head trauma sustained in training. In 1994 Set up UAE Muay Thai Association. Became a Founder Member of World Muay Thai Council 1995 In 1999 began teaching Muay Thai in Ohio USA. Became USMTA State Director for Ohio in 2002. Became  International Representative for Norway in 2007,  Moved back to the  USA and became State Representative to  Texas, 2008.

gathering competitors from around the globe for Muay Thai world championship quality competitions. Naomi  became the USMTA Representative for the State of Hawaii  in 2008 and  is a member of the United States Muay Thai Association (USMTA). Naomi trained under Arjarn Tong Trithara.

Master Ballard was formerly a competitive fighter, who has fought locally, nationally and internationally.  He was formerly nationally ranked and competed for the IKF, (International Kickboxing Federation), USKBA, (United States Kickboxing Association) and the WCMA, (World Congress of Martial Artists).  Master Ballard has trained in Muay Thai multiple times in Thailand.

Master Ballard is retired from active competition, but takes great pride in training martial artists & aspiring combat sports athletes.  Master Ballard has trained under some of the most well known instructors in the world, to include; ISKA World Kickboxing Champion Conrad Pla (Tristar Gym, Montreal), An Shu Stephen & Shidoshi Rumiko Hayes, in Bujinkan Tai Jitsu & To Shin-Do,(Dayton Quest Center-Dayton, OH), Legendary Judo Instructor O’Sensei Philip S. Porter, Former U.S. National Taekwon-Do Champion Master Alba Rosario & Hall of Fame Instructor Master Stan Parsons as well as many more...  He became USMTA State representative for Vermont in 2009

 Emerson N. Dagdag from Anchorage, Alaska. Certified Muay Thai instructor, Emerson has been studying the martial arts for many years. Emerson  became the Alaska Representative in 2010.

 ...information  pending....

Kru Jeff Strickland

                                 

 ...information  pending....

Frank Brown, from Denver, Colorado has close to three decades of martial arts training in American Tae Kwon Do under Master Stephen Oliver and World Champion Jeff Smith.  He has studied in American Boxing and Muay Thai under Kru Jeff Strickland for five years; Submission Wrestling, Folk, and Greco wrestling under Coach Cisco Gonzales; and Kempo.   He is a featured NAPMA instructor, and has been a member of the Stephen Oliver’s mastermind group, train professional martial artists all over the world.

 Kickboxing, Boxing, Muay Thai, Tae Kwon-Do. Owner of CASTRICONE'S Gym, a 4^th Dan Black Belt (Tae Kwon-Do). Member of the Martial Arts Hall of Fame, World Tae Kwon-Do Federation. Former Pro-Light Heavyweight Kickboxing Champ for the WKA. Promoter; -1990 Kickboxing, Muay Thai.

 Sanctioned Judge, Referee Corner man for the USMTA, WKA, USKBA, USA Boxing. Sanctioned Promoter for the USMTA, WKA & USKBA. Former Commissioner for the WKA. Began martial arts training in 1974 under Master Wan Joo Lee, travelled the country with the point circuit for many years in the late 70’s and 80’s before embarking on my Kickboxing career. Current Eastern Representative for the USMTA.

 Sempai Don "WHEELS" Sitters currently holds II Dan Degree Black Belts in the: Sanano Martial Arts System of Awayan, Trechampas, Hapkido, and Ju-Jitsu. And is also an MMA/WC Fighter who will and has fought Able Bodied and Limited  Ability Fighters. I have 2 Belts from Wheelchair Demonstrations in the MMA/WC, from the Mid-West Regional and American Light Heavy Weight Wheel Chair Division.

  Certified School & Instructor of Karate for Christ Int’l and SD. State Representative of KFCI, Certified Instructor & Life Member of Karate For Christ, Certified Instructor & Student of Sanano Martial Arts in Awayan,  Instructor of the International Self- Defense Ability in Hapkido. Instructor/Student in the Art of Avante-Jitsu - Sat Nam MMA, Instructor/Student of Kung Fu San Soo - Self Defense, Student in the art of Miletich Fighting System MMA, Student of the International Combat Hapkido Federation, Student in the Art of Dynamic Jukite Ju-Jitsu, Student & Member of the Kenpo Krambit Association, Student of Karate North Tae Kwon Do, Korean Forms.Student of The HO RANG EE Karate Studio in Weapons, Student of the National Karate Association, Fight / Grappling, Student in the Art of Wrestling, Judo, and Boxing Team Cerritos. and is also: Certified NKA/ NASKA Official Judge, Member of the Northland Karate Association, Member North American Sport Karate Association, Diamond National Champion in Weapons & Forms 2001-2, Men’s Black Belt Grand Champion Rushmore Ju-Jitsu 2007. World Karate Union Hall of Fame, Martial Artist of the Year 2008, MMA/WC (Wheel Chair) Regional & American Light Heavy Weight Fighter.  Sempai Dave Sitters became the  Minnesota State  representative in 2009.