ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Mr Jeremy Jude, the founder of Jai Muay Thai Gym, found his calling, which was fighting professional Muay Thai. In the fighting art of Muay Thai, competitors use their fists, elbows, knees and shins to fight. It is also known as Thai Boxing, as this art originated in Thailand and is its national sport.
In 2008, he moved to New York State at the age of 23 to further his university education. As he did not like his lifestyle then, he felt the need to bring some change in his life. That year, Jeremy saw the televised Muay Thai competition called ‘The Contender Asia’ and became interested in the martial art. He found out that Muay Thai classes were held three times a week at a gym 45 minutes away from where he was staying in New York and he joined it without hesitation.
Before attending the classes, he did not think they would be so tough. But after attending them, he said that it had tested him both physically and mentally. However, Jeremy said that he felt unexplainable joy when he learned the art and fought. This led to a strong desire to excel in it. So, he listened to the advice of his instructors, and also tried to develop his skills by watching Muay Thai videos on the Internet and practicing in his spare time.
Jeremy, who returned to Singapore in 2010 after his educational journey, started practising Muay Thai every day due to his interest in the art of Muay Thai, and the instructors who noticed his energy and interest encouraged him to go to Thailand to train. He said that he spent a total of six hours a day training in Thailand and the training there was very intense. Jeremy said he learned many new skills and techniques there. While training this way, Jeremy said he found his path in 2011 when he participated in his first professional Muay Thai competition, which he did not win unfortunately. He then made it his goal to learn and compete in Muay Thai. Funding his own training was not easy as well, but he did what he had to do to make it work.
After working in Singapore for one to two years and saving money, he would go to Thailand to have long training stints, for as long as his money lasted. He did this from 2010 to 2019. Jeremy, who had the opportunity to participate in many tournaments, did not know at the time that an eye injury in 2019 would end his Muay Thai journey. Even though the injury was a bad one, Jeremy still wanted to keep competing. But upon further reflection, he chose not to do so because even though this heart & mind wanted to continue fighting, his body could not.
Although his heart was filled with regret, he said that while waiting for his injury to heal, he began to think about life. Jeremy was so focused on Muay Thai that he failed to focus on saving money, and building a normal career. So Jeremy, who worked various jobs for a few years after his injury, found it hard to be happy wholeheartedly. He felt that not being involved in Muay Thai created a void in his mind & heart.
Knowing that Jeremy used to fight professional Muay Thai, people began to approach him with request to teach them this martial art. Jeremy was overjoyed at the opportunity to teach his favourite art. His classes, which initially started with a small number of students, have attracted many students since last year. Thus, he established a gym named Jai Muay Thai and conducts Muay Thai classes at affordable rates. Jeremy said it is heart-warming to see his students wanting to better themselves in the art of Muay Thai and progressing in their journey “The void left by not being able to compete has been filled by having the opportunity to impact the lives of others,” Jeremy said.
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