A new Muay Thai Lao Fitness gym is celebrating its grand opening in Point Richmond on Saturday during an event that will feature a lion dance around the block and a Muay Thai Lao boxing seminar, according to the Point Richmond Business Association (PRBA).
The grand opening of TNT Muay Thai Lao Fitness will start at 11 a.m. at 39 Washington Ave. The new business is “building upon a history of championship boxing in Point Richmond, which was the scene of the Feb. 22, 1910, World Lightweight Title fight between Battling Nelson and Ad Wolgast,” said PRBA Board Member Karen Buchanan.
The TNT Muay Thai Lao Fitness gym teaches residents the ancient martial art of Muay Thai Lao.
The new gym’s owner, Master Tee, fled war torn Laos in 1979, and now teaches Richmond residents how to fight using “all eight” limbs—knees, elbows, fists and legs, Buchanan said. Master Tee’s students also learn about culture, respect, and tradition.
Meanwhile, colleague Master Enn was part of the effort to expand Fairtex Muay Thai equipment and clothing brand, founded in Bangkok in 1959, to America in the early 1990s. Enn helped grow the brand’s name and completed his career here gaining a host of belts.
Benefits of the Muay Thai Lao fitness are many, including self-confidence, discipline, self-awareness, health, focus, alertness, endurance, self-defense patience and mind-body therapy.