LA LOTTA PIÙ DURA AL MONDO: la Muay Thai 🇹🇭
To become a champion, the first thing you need is discipline. Here they are poor, with no money, but determined to change their destiny. If I can bring home a world title, I will have fulfilled my dream. I want to be champion in Bangkok. My name is Giuseppe, and I have a mission. To explore the most remote corners of the planet, to meet the guardians of ancient secrets, women and men with extraordinary stories. Lives that can inspire us and make us see the world with different eyes. And to each of them I will ask the most important question of all. What is happiness to you? A question so powerful it reveals the deepest essence of humanity. Welcome to “Project Happiness.” In the countryside of Udon Thani, more than 500 km from Bangkok, for these kids the day starts early. At dawn they tie the worn out shoes passed down by the older ones and run 10 km just to wake up their bodies. Then they return to the gym and warm up on the bags to show the Khru, the master, what they learned from the day before. And this is not a game, it is not even a sport. It is the only way they have to help their families and try to escape poverty. Just imagine the weight of every punch, here they sacrifice their whole childhood for one dream. To fight in Bangkok, and talent scouts like Pio visit the most remote gyms in the country to decide who is ready to become a professional. He has worked with the greatest legends of Muay Thai and today he is here to find the next champion. Hey. Come here. Does it hurt? No. What was it? A punch. Did it hurt you? I am used to it now. I know. My job is to find the new champion. Boxers who train in the countryside Here they are poor, with no money, but determined to change their destiny. I worked with champion Buakaw in the past. Also Saenchai, Rodtang, Super Rich, Phetpanomrung. So many champions… This is where I come to look for the most talented fighters. But it is hard to know if a young fighter really has talent or not. Sometimes you can see the fighter’s spirit, the courage, the discipline. But for the kids it takes 5 to 10 years to find out. Many things can distract them, like drugs or girls. I have to be very careful about their character before recruiting them and offering them a salary. In Thailand there are so many kids who fight, so many, thousands and thousands. But what do they need to become real champions? To become a champion, the first thing you need is discipline. Discipline, discipline is essential. No one should have to push them. They must be the ones who want it, to stay focused, disciplined, and consistent day after day. They chose a life of sacrifice. This means they will lose their childhood: while others play, they train. And when the others sleep, they run and train before going to school. These kids, these fighters, have already fought 20 to 30 matches. Something extraordinary, incredible, completely different from Europe. But they have already fought, they are practically veterans. Pain is part of their journey, it becomes a training partner, and especially the strongest athletes are not the ones who hit the hardest, but the ones who can take the hits, who can make a sort of pact with pain. The ring is their stage. There is no way to hide there, they have to fight. But Muay Thai teaches humility above all. And when we exchange a few words with them, the answers come slowly, with lowered eyes and a timid voice. How many fights have you had? 25. When did you start boxing? I started in third grade, then picked it up again in middle school. Why did you quit the first time? It hurt. And why did you come back to fighting? Because I love it. What is your biggest dream? Yes, I want to be champion in Bangkok. Do you have a message for those watching you around the world? This is not just a fight: it is a legacy to protect and pass on. Who knows what it means for these kids to have a new bag to train with, to try new techniques, trying to get closer and closer to their dream. It is like one more brick that brings them closer to the desire they have. Which is to become champions. And it is only by putting all these bricks together that you build the road that leads to the gyms of Bangkok. The best gyms in the world, where you do not come to learn, but to prove you are ready. All the kids you see around me are literally the most promising talents in all of Thailand, so that also means in the whole world. From this gym came champions, international champions who were forged by these kids you see behind me. who are the instructors, the trainers. Here in Thailand, in Muay Thai, they are called Khru, those who forge warriors, war machines. Thanks to their advice, their strategy, their tricks, they were once champions and now they are pouring all their knowledge, their Muay Thai tradition into these young boys who, yes, they are young, they are between 15 and 20 years old, but each of them has at least 50 matches behind them. Just think, these kids know the ring perfectly. And this is not a gym like all the others. Here you cannot come to learn, to try, to do sports tourism, no. Only potential champions come here whose technique must be refined. and they dedicate their whole lives to this goal. They eat here, sleep here, live here all together, as if it were a college, a school. And they support one another, trying to help each other. Training all day in Muay Thai, as you can see, is not easy. These kids are far from their families, but they have become a family to one another. The boy walking on the treadmill is the star of this gym, actually, he is a global Muay Thai star. His name is Kusuelek, which in Thai means little lord of war. So everyone is at his disposal. Right now he is cutting weight, so he is trying to sweat out as much fluid as possible. That is why he is wearing a special suit. In here it must be at least 35 degrees, so he is sweating a lot. Now we will try to talk to him because he is not only a champion, he has a story within the story. He also has a twin who trains just as hard, who is trying to become a champion too. Let us understand what their relationship is like. Hi, I am Khunsuek Lek Wongleksian from the Yokkao team. I have to lose weight because on Saturday the 24th I will defend the title at Rajadamnern Stadium. You know, I put on gloves for the first time at five years old. There were always matches near my house, and I would go watch them. I was fascinated. So I asked my grandfather if I could try. And he encouraged me from the very start. If I can bring home a world title, I will have fulfilled my dream. And I am doing it with my brother by my side. It is like always having an ally. We train, rest, grow together. I never feel alone, and it is a wonderful feeling. Come here! Sit down. Between you two who is stronger? I think I am the best. Yes he is the best. What makes you happiest in Muay Thai? Winning important titles, saving money, and being able to help our family. Happiness comes after winning. After all the hard training, the sweat, the pain. And then going back home and spending time with your family… that is the real reward. We take care of our family thanks to boxing. Our parents do not work anymore: they stay home and look after our grandfather. Now we are the ones earning for everyone. I believe that through these images you can almost feel the drops of sweat, as these boys train with all their passion, with all their strength. Becoming a champion for these kids in Thailand is different from our more individualistic idea. Thanks to their success in the ring, their families no longer have to work and that is what becoming champions means. It does not mean never losing a match again, it means helping the family that has supported them until now. And that is what success means here. There is enormous pressure on these kids. They are young but already considered little stars. Huge sums in bets revolve around their matches. Everyone expects them to win. Always. But it is not easy to handle all this pressure. Losing often can break you down. It makes you worry about what others think. As if you were not good anymore. They make you doubt yourself And you feel low. Sometimes I feel down, but I do not stop, I keep going. I think about it often, but I cannot give up, because… I have to support my family. My brothers, my parents. When I lose, people ask me why, like you were stronger when you were little, why did you get worse? In this gym you learn one thing above all. If you do not protect yourself, you go down. Every day each of us fights invisible enemies while we are online. Hackers, malware, and digital scams. But just like in the ring, we can defend ourselves here too. NordVPN encrypts your connection, hides your IP, and protects you when you connect to public Wi Fi networks. It is my safe corner. Always. By clicking the link in the description or scanning this QR code, you get 4 extra months free on the two year plan, plus a 30 day money back guarantee. And with a single subscription you can protect up to 10 devices. So your family keeps their guard up too. In the ring, just like in online life, defense makes the difference. Protect yourself with NordVPN. I wake up at 5 in the morning. Then I go for a run… After that, pad work. Then techniques with the coach. Then heavy bag. Weight training, weight training. Then… Abs. Then stretching again. Sunday is… rest day. How often do you train? I train from Monday to Saturday. For about 17 years, I started at 10, seriously at 13, and now I am 27. Do you ever miss your family? Yes, especially when training is tough. I miss home, but… I must focus on my duty, when I am done, I go back. Champion! At Rajadamnern. The belt he won. Beautiful! Thank you. An essential figure here is the Khru. In Thai it means master. But he is not just a coach, he is a guide, a father figure, a reference point. He is the one who teaches technique, discipline, and shapes not only the fighters but the people they will become. The best part of being a teacher is understanding the kids. Understanding how to manage them, being a teacher, a brother, a mentor, so they trust you. That trust is the key, then teaching becomes easier. It is truly something I love. What I am proudest of is helping these boys achieve success, supporting their families, becoming national champions. Training Thailand’s number ones is my greatest pride. But true happiness is seeing them grow into men. Training with discipline, believing in themselves, winning with dignity. Helping them support their families and live with respect. Not just boxers… but good men. From this gym, like many others in the world, the dream of these young fighters is just one. To step into the ring of the most famous and oldest Muay Thai arena, Rajadamnern. A temple built to host the best fighters in the world and to turn men into legends. Within these walls you hear the echo of thousands of fights. And every stain on the ring tells who resisted, who gave in, and who got back up. There, only the best step up. Only after running at dawn for years, after leaving family to live in the gym and after enduring pain in silence. Now they will discover their destiny. The tension in the locker rooms is sky high. The fighters are getting ready, as you can see, they are covered in oil. It is camphor oil that lets them warm up their muscles. Because you should know they use the first rounds of the match to warm up. I know it sounds absurd and incredible, but that is how it is, they study each other in the early rounds and then from the third onward they start fighting to see who will win. What we are watching now is the ritual dance every fighter performs, every Muay Thai fighter. They are praying to the spirits of Muay Thai to protect them. But it is also a way to warm up, secondarily, of course. And it is a show for all the spectators who are here for them. Always try to respect the opponent because everyone knows this is a job. You do not try to take out the opponent, you try to win in the cleanest way possible because both have to fight, maybe again in a month. So what do I mean by this? The KO is not always sought. Sometimes, during the fight, they look at each other, you can tell who is winning, and if the other has no chance, they trade a punch and allow the other to win or say let it go, I have won. It is incredible to think and do that. The section behind us, where the bettors are, is on fire because it is still unclear who is winning. So they are shouting at the fighter they bet on to push, push, push to win. And they are offering him money from there. I know it sounds absurd, but they hear everything. The boy in the blue shorts is from Udon Thani, from the gym we went to the other day, which is the cradle of Muay Thai. And right now he represents the dream of all those kids. And metaphorically he has to defend it because he must show the kids they can make it, that their dream is possible. There are 13 seconds left, no, they are dancing, our guy has won. See, it all stopped, it is crazy. They are not pushing anymore because no one wants to get hurt. They have to fight again in a month. So blue knows he has won and backs away. The other knows he has lost and has to preserve himself. He won. There is a beautiful word they use here in Thailand. Jaisu means a heart that fights. And it is not just technique. It is not just strength. It is the courage to never give up. To keep going even when it hurts. And to get back up every time you fall. For these kids, happiness does not come easily. But maybe that is exactly what makes it so real. Because it is not made of applause or medals. It is going back home with your head held high. Seeing pride in a father’s eyes and peace in a mother’s. And understanding that in the end it is right there, in those silent hugs, that the greatest victory is won.
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Nel cuore della Thailandia rurale, c’è una palestra dove si cresce prima ancora di diventare adulti. Ogni mattina, all’alba, decine di bambini si svegliano con un solo obiettivo: allenarsi per cambiare il proprio destino.
Qui la Muay Thai non è solo uno sport. È una scuola di vita, un lavoro, una speranza. È l’unico modo per aiutare la famiglia, per costruire un futuro, per dimostrare a sé stessi che ce la si può fare. A soli dieci anni, questi giovani lottatori vivono lontani da casa, tra allenamenti durissimi e sogni enormi, uniti come fratelli da una disciplina che insegna rispetto, sacrificio e determinazione.
In questo reportage esclusivo abbiamo vissuto accanto a loro. Abbiamo condiviso le loro giornate, ascoltato le loro storie, parlato con gli allenatori, con i genitori, con chi ha dedicato tutta la vita a formarli. Abbiamo cercato di capire cosa significhi davvero vincere, cosa si nasconde dietro ogni cintura conquistata, e quale felicità può esistere in un’infanzia fatta di guantoni, corse e lividi.
Scopri la vera essenza della Muay Thai, raccontata con occhi sinceri e cuore aperto.
✨ *Iscriviti al canale e viaggia con noi alla ricerca della formula della felicità nel mondo.*
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💌 Per collaborazioni: info@progettohappiness.com
Buona visione ♥︎
*⚡️PROGETTO HAPPINESS TEAM⚡️*
• AUTORE & HOST: Giuseppe Bertuccio D’Angelo
• CINEMATOGRAPHER: Nicola Guaita, Davide Fantuzzi
• PRODUCER: Stefano Reposi
• EDITING & COLOR: Gianmarco Garimberti, Bettina Zironi
• SOUND DESIGN & MIX: Lorenzo Sattin
• SOUND DESIGN: Riccardo De Cillis
• TRADUZIONI: Fabrizio Chia
• _DOPPIAGGIO MULTILINGUA: https://youdubstudio.com/_
41 Comments
bellissimo questo video
Manco Dmax o focus portavamo sti contenuti così fatti bene sei davvero bravo in quello che fai continua così ..❤️🌎
🔥🔥
peppe cosa hai fatto alle ciglia sopratutto quelle sotto 😂😂😂😂🫡🫡🫡🫡
xchè non avete visto la Lathwei Birmana..
Sicuramente era un po' meno esotico, però avresti dovuto almeno parlare del tuo compaesano siciliano Luca lombardo, lottatore professionista che combatte in Tailandia
Spesso noi occidentali guardiamo con sgarbo paesi asiatici quali la Thailandia, definendoli arretrati, eppure avremmo molto da imparare.
Lì la Muay Thai, un' ARTE MARZIALE, è sport nazionale. Qui, nella calciofila Italietta, ancora oggi tantissimi ignoranti giudicano impropriamente gli sport da combattimento come "violenti", non capendone il significato. Riflettiamo su questo…
Giuse' sii o numer 1❤🎉
Buonasera ,video stupendo ,sia per il girato che per i contenuti più profondi che fanno comprendere come "cresce" nel vero senso della parola un Atleta di altissimo livello ,un Nak Muay che combatte nei grandi stadi di Bangkok per la cintura di quegli stadi ,come in tutte le storie c'è un rovescio della medaglia ,infortuni ,scommesse e alle volte la morte .Ma questo non toglie o infanga un arte tra le più difficili e dure .Davvero complimenti per il video e i migliori auguri per il tuo lavoro
Non so chi abbia fatto riprese e montaggio, ma non ho staccato gli occhi un secondo dal video
Complimenti!
Scusa se mi ripeto ,stupendo
Affascinante e disturbante allo stesso tempo: qui la Muay Thai non è sport, è economia familiare. Non è gloria, è sopravvivenza.
Is baaaaaack
🇹🇭❤️🥊
I primi 2 round oltre che per il riscaldamento servono soprattutto per fare crescere le scommesse.
Bel video,bei colori….ma da te mi "aspetto" molto di più…hai raccontato cose arcinote.
Senza offesa,sei quello che porta contenuti su you tube.😊
Mi sono avvicinato a questo sport per gioco ed adesso è uno stile di vita per me,mi ha aiutato a togliermi dall strada e dalle cattive compagnie,dal bere tutte le notti,combinare guai,tornare tardi e perdere molti lavori..devo tanto a questo sport
Ciao Giuseppe non hai parlato quanto gli viene dato a un adolescente che ha rinunciato la scuola e la famiglia per dedicare la sua vita esclusivamente alla lotta, fino a uno adulto.. Di che somme parliamo? Siccome queste persone non vogliono più che le loro famiglie lavorino perché sentono il dovere di mantenerli loro. ..grazie
un prodotto degno della bbc. meraviglioso, piu ancora migliorare il lato autoriale. qualità video e audio perfette. montaggio perfetto. tempi perfetti. ritmo perfetto. tanta tanta roba
Domani comincio il mio quinto anno di muay thai…video bellissimo, con tempismo perfetto!!
Mi hai rubato l idea sulle arti marziali 😂
Qua mi avete sorpreso fate più video sullo sport per favore
Amo gli sport da combattimento, faccio kickboxing e di conseguenza amo la Muay thai
Excelente 🙏🗿
❤❤❤
meriteresti il like solo per come mi hai incastrato nordvpn nel video
Wow che spettacolo sto video
Che immagini, complimenti al cameraman veramente
Great job
Bene😊
La qualità dei tuoi video è impressionante, meriteresti davvero un programma in prima serata!! Continua così ♥️♥️
Che livello Giuseppe, complimenti!😮
You don't get the views and value you deserve.
Ho praticato questo sport per 7 anni difficile da spiegare a parole quello che vuol dire, tante botte tanti sacrifici tanti lividi ma anche tante risate soddisfazioni ed emozioni per me non ha eguali a livello di preparazione fisica e mentale cambia il corpo ma anche la mente impari a soffrire in silenzio e combattere fino alla fine sul ring e nella vita
Come si chiama questa palestra?
questa e' vera arte marziale, altro che il sumo senegalese
potresti fare un video sul BJJ in Brasile, io sono stato in una palestra a Rio de Janerio dentro la favela. Potrebbe essere interessante.
Bella storia ma con tutta la corruzione che c'è in thailandia sembra troppo bello che vinca solo il migliore
FINALMENTE UN VIDEO CHE DOCUMENTA LA GENTE SU QUESTA FANTASTICA ARTE MARZIALE ❤
video bellissimo,per chi ne capisce come me è arte pura , continua questa rubrica degli sport da combattimento, chissà magari il Brazilian jiu jitsu è un buon candidato ❤
La qualità dei vostri video è andata oltre l’immaginabile.
Gran bel video. Mi sarebbe piaciuto che ci fosse stato un capitolo di qualche minuto dedicato a Luca Lombardo, persona umile, simpatica ed intelligente. Ti avrebbe fornito il punto di vista di un lottatore di Muay Thai italiano che da anni vive in Thailandia dove si allena e combatte.
Qualità senza senso 🔥