LOPBURI, Thailand — American troopers obtained Muay Thai classes from a champion fighter in Thailand through the annual multilateral “Cobra Gold” army drills hosted by the Asian nation.
Soldiers took instruction and punched and kicked alongside Thai champion Sombat Banchamek, or Buakaw (White Lotus) as he’s broadly identified within the nation.
“For every US soldier who came to train in Cobra Gold, they also want to exchange and study our culture regarding Muay Thai, which is our national art,” Buakaw said.
The 42nd annual Cobra Gold exercises, a war games event, was attended by 7,394 personnel from 30 countries this year.
“This stuff we have to know the way to do and to be taught from among the best in the whole world,” said US soldier SPC Adam Castle.
“It’s been actually nice to be taught some expertise that we are able to take again and use sooner or later,” he added. — Reuters
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
