Thursday, 13 October 2011

My Interview with MMA Pakistan


In what is the first of what will be a continuing series of interviews with Pakistan’s top Martial Artists we got a chance to get some information from Gohar Gul who teaches Muay Thai, Karate, Kung Fu and TKD in Karachi.
You can visit his website at "www.thes3.org" which I suggest you check out after reading the interview. We’ll most definitely follow up with Gohar Gul later at some point and see how his training and teaching is going. On with the interview.
Q1: What is your opinion on the state of martial arts in Pakistan today?
A:The tragedy with Pakistan is there is abundant talent but nowhere to showcase it and no people to appreciate it. Martial Arts as a profession is not an option as a consequence there isn’t a bright future in it.
Q2: Why and when did you first start training Martial Arts? What is your Martial Arts history?
A:I am the only child of my parents and due to an accident my parents passed away. I decided to move to Islamabad and survived there in some very adverse conditions for a few years. Here in 1980 I got the chance to train with Irfan Bhatti in the art of Ninjitsu or Ninja form. With no other options I devoted myself completely to the art and soon became his number one apprentice. I earned my black belt in 1982. In 1986 they sent me to compete in Thailand where I managed to earn the 3rd place in the competition, a feat as I was the youngest fighter in the tournament.
Q3: What are your top 3 greatest achievements?
1. (Champion of the year(1982)
a. 1st Position in 3 events (sparring, nunchak, bo)
2. Muay Thai champion ship 3rd position (Thailand) (1986)
3. British open karate tournament 2nd position (England) (1992)
Q4: Do you follow MMA? Do you have any favorite fighters?
I’m aware of MMA and its increasing popularity. However, I am unable follow MMA because of many reasons. Although I’d like to! My student has shown me some fights of Anderson Silva, Mirko Crocop they are quite impressive.
Q5; Would you ever consider taking part in Mixed Martial Arts competition?
A: I’m a fighter, that’s who I am. I would love to take part in MMA competition although I am very fit 39, the key deciding factor would be sponsorship.
Q6:Do you have a favorite Muay Thai fighter?
Yes I like
• Master Apidej Sit Hirun,
• Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn,
• Samart Payakaroon,
• Changpuek Kiatsongrit,
• Bunkerd Faphimai
• Ramon Dekker
Q7: What is your favorite technique?
A: I don’t favor a particular technique; I do prefer a specific strategy, which is to always conceal your true intentions when attacking.
Q8: If you could do one Martial Art only what would it be and why?
A: Kyokushin Karate, This in my opinion is the most difficult well rounded martial art in the world.
Q9: What advice can you give people who want to defend themselves on the street?
A: Pakistan, can be a violent place sometimes, mobile snatching and robberies are common place. Although it is not wise to engage these hard core criminals, sometimes you have no options. The best weapon for that is your own body!
I’ll tell you a story, a few months back me and my wife stepped out to take a walk near our apartment. Two people on a motorcycle pulled up and I instinctively knew they were here to rob us. As soon as the motorcycle stopped the passenger came down and reached for his gun. At this point my wife started saying “ give them what they want”, but I was already in motion I grabbed his hand which was on the gun. Controlling the gun hand I blocked his attacks and punched him a few times, and then disarmed him. By this time his partner had ran away and a crowd gathered, we took the crook to the police station.
Q10: What is the most important lesson a person can learn from training in the Martial Arts?
A: Self Discipline and the belief that he can overcome any challenge, any difficulty
Thanks for your time! For anyone living in Karachi who would want to train with you where do you teach and what are the timings?
I’m running a Club, named by Thes3 martial arts academy it is in Clifton the timings are 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
I also take private classes in Defense / Clifton timings are almost from 3:00pm to 8:00 pm.

The Deadly art of Muay Thai


I am not that good in writing but i'm trying to, i am Actually Kru Gohar Gul, Teach Muay thai, MMA and some more arts. i am trying to give the knowledge of muay thai so, the first part of Muay thai is the Historical part. which is not by my own but from our Masters "Kru Sit Hirun, Kru Samart Payakaroon and Ajhrn Kiatsongrit." Please Correct me if i am wrong some where...which can be Possible as its none of my Father's Art.. so Lets give it a Start...
MuayThai in the Sukhothai Era
Thailand’s capital was situated at Sukhothai from around the Buddhist years 1781-1951 (1238-1408 CE). Inscriptions in stone columns at Sukhothai indicate that Sukhothai fought with its neighbors quite often. Consequently, the city had to instill in her soldiers knowledge and skills concerning the use of weapons such as swords and spears, and also how to use the body as a weapon in situations of close person-to-person combat. Skills such as kicking, kneeing, punching, and elbowing were thus developed.
……………………..
MuayThai in the Krungsri Ayutthaya Era
The Ayutthaya Era lasted from B.E. 1988-2310 (1445-1767 CE). This period was characterized by frequent wars between Thailand, Burma, and Cambodia. Therefore, young men had to prepare themselves by developing self-defense skills.
………………….
King Naresuan The Great Era (B.E. 2133-2147, 1590-1604 CE)
King Naresuan would call for young men of his age to train with him. They were trained to be brave, self-confident warriors. They had to be skilful with all weapons and in boxing.
…………………..
King Narai The Great Era (B.E. 2147-2233, 1604-1690 CE)
During this period Thailand was very much at peace and there were many developments in the Kingdom. King Narai supported and promoted sports, especially MuayThai, which became a professional sport. At this time Boxers wrapped their hands with threads that were dipped in thick starch or tar. This technique was called Kad-Chuck (wrapped with threads) or Muay Kad-Chuck (boxing with thread-wrapped hands). Boxers wore a head band, called the mongkon, and an amulet, or pa-pra-jiat, wrapped around their upper arms when they fought. Boxers did not fight according to weight, height, or age. The rules were simple: Fights lasted until there was a clear winner. Gambling accompanied the bouts. Villages would often challenge each other to boxing matches and boxing became an activity central to folk plays and festivals.
……………………………
King Prachao Sua Era (B.E. 2240-2252, 1697-1709 CE)
King Prachao Sua, also known as the Tiger King as well as Khun Luang Sorasak, loved MuayThai very much. Once he went, dressed in plain clothes, to a district called Tambol Talad-guad with four royal guards. There he entered a boxing competition. The promoter did not recognize the King, but knew that the boxer came from Ayutthaya. He let the King fight against very good fighters from 8
the town of Wisetchaichan. They were Nai Klan Madtai (killing fists), Nai Yai Madlek (iron fists), and Nai Lek Madnak (hard fists or punches). The Tiger King won all three fights. King Prachao Sua also trained his two sons, Prince Petch and Prince Porn, in MuayThai, sword fighting, and wrestling. During the early part of the Ayutthaya period the Department of Royal Boxing was founded. In the later part of the Ayutthaya Period, after the second loss to Burma in B.E. 2310 (1767 CE), there was one boxer of note.
…………………………….
We will start from
WAI KRU :

Wai Kru is called Kheun Kru (the initial ceremony of paying respect to the teacher).
In Muay Thai, the boxer will always preface the fight with Wai Kru and this tradition is still practiced nowadays. This ceremony is usually performed to rousing Thai music from pipes and drums, and with the initial Ram Muau (the boxing movement). The Wai Kru and Ram Muay are useful, since the boxer gains encouragement from paying homage to his teachers and feels that he is not on his own: he has his teacher and the other teachers of the discipline to support him. The Wai Kru process will also give him time to concentrate and revise what he has learned, as well as display the nature of his weapons and the high degree of his skill. The steps, movement and use of his weapons are designed to warm up the bodyґs muscles, survey the field of play, and conceal the contestantґs style of fighting.

Hong Hern

After being in sitting manner until standing up in Dhepnimitra manner and then turn to the right.
Step 1: raise the right foot and straight it backward. Standing on your left foot. Bend your body to the front. Start to perform the dance by sprawling your arms, kneel down while turning the face side of your palms down.
Step 2: kneel up and bend up the wrist to raise up the fingers.
Step 3: lay your right foot on the floor then straight your left foot backward, continue to perform the dance alike the flying bird. The movement of body, arm and palm must correspond with the music.
Step 4: lay down your left foot then "Yang Sam Khum" (walk powerfully in three step) to change the direction. By turning you around to the "left direction" then step out your left foot, bend your body down to " wai " the "Pra-Bhrama-tis" (the direction of Bhrama ) at the left side just one time. Repeat to perform the " Hong-Hern" dancing styles by starting the first step to the third step again but in the fourth step you must turn to the backside "Wai Bhrama" and then repeat to perform the dance. The last time turn to the front side. (which is the original direction while you sit in the "Dhep Pha-nom" form) And then "Wai-Bhrama" perform the dance called "Hong-Hern" and "Bhrama Si Na" then you play "Yang Sam Khum" and bend your body down to salute your counterpart. It is the finish of the "Wai Kru" and the dance called "Hong-Hern" .

Yoong Fon Hang
To be continued …. In Next Blog INSHALLAH …

so here I am again to Discuss about
Yoong Fon Hang
To perform "Yoong-Fon-Hang" style, you must start from "Wai Kru" from the sit form called "Dhep Panom" to the stand form called "Dhep Nimitra" respectively.
Step 1: turn your body to right side, Wai Pra Bhrama for one time.
Step 2: step out your left foot forward. Raise up your right foot then straighten it backward bend down your body forward simultaneously. Put the hands together in salute at the chest level.
Step 3: turn the face side of your palm upward and slowly move your arms go through the armpits to the backside of your body until your arms are straight. All of tip fingers are closed together.
Step 4: move your hands out to the side of the body alike straighten your arms. Then move it round to come gathering at your face. Lift your chest and your face up while your hands were put to touch your head, while your right legs still stretch backward.
Step 5: hold down your right foot to stand straightly. Raise up your left foot then straighten it backward. Stand on your right foot and then repeat the step 1- 4 (it's just switch the right side to be the left side). Repeat to perform the dance for all 4 directions. Then get back to the corner with "Kow Yang" and bend down your body to salute your counterpart.

Yoong Ram Pan
To perform the "Yoong Ram Pan" style.
Starts with "Wai Kru" from "Dhep Panom" form and other form respectively until raise to stand up in the "Dhep Nimitra" form.
Step 1: turn around your body to the front direction "Wai Pra Bhrama" one time.
Step 2: step out your left foot forward. Raise your right foot and straighten it backward bend down your body to the frontward simultaneously. Which your hand clasping at the chest level.
Step 3: turn the face side of your palm upward and slowly move your arms backward through the armpit to the backside of your body until your arms are straight, move your hands out to the side of the body alike straighten your arms and move it round to come gather at your face. Repeat this way three times.
Step 4: move your right legs perpendicular to the floor. Raise the right foot up.
Step 5: raise your left foot and straighten it backward, repeat the step 1-4 and then perform the dance the same way in every direction. Then go back to your corner with "Kow yang" manner, bend down your body to salute your counterpart.

Sod Soi Mala
To perform the "Sod Soi Ma-La" style, starting with "Wai Kru" in sitting "Thep -Panom " until standing up in " Dhep-Nimitra".
Step 1: turn round your body to the right direction. Perform "Wai Phra Brahma" one time.
Step 2: step out your left foot forward. Raise your right leg and straighten it backward, lift it to the same level of your chin. Bend your left arm perpendicular to the floor. Stretch the tip of your fist up.
Step 3: insert left fist up inside of the right arm and beyond it up until right elbow parallel to the level of your chin.
Step 4: repeat the third step but change the right arm to be the left arm instead.
Step 5: repeat the steps 2-4 but change to stand by your right foot instead.
Step 6: repeat the dance for every direction. And then "Kow Yang" and bend down to salute the counterpart and go the your corner.

The King Rama Pheang Sorn .
To perform the "Phra Rama Plang Sorn" style.
Phra Rama Phlang Sorn style generally perform the dance just one direction. It's the direction of the counterpart.
Step 1: turn round your body to the right direction. Wai Phra Brahma one time.
Step 2: step your left foot frontward raise your arms alike you catch an arrow rod in your left hand.
Step 3: move your right hand to the backside alike you pick an arrow from your neck to the rod. Then pull the tendon backward 2-3 times but act alike not release the arrow repeat this for 2 time but in the third time you perform alike you lift the rod up high at the level of your ears. Stand still look straight at your target then release the arrow.
Step 4: while your release your arrow lay down your right foot on the floor and raise your left foot up frontward simultaneously. After that raise your hand at above the face. Act alike you are looking at the arrow you released. And waiting to see the result. If you are disappointed at the result cause from the mistargeted shot. You express by shaking your head right and left. if you are pleased with the result then you smile and nod your head up and down to show your appreciation.
Step 5: you say the prayer "Sake Ka-Tha" such as "Na Jung Ngung" three times. And then stamp down the floor three times.
Step 6: "Yang Sam Khum" to your corner then bend your body down to salute the counterpart.

Payak Dom Kwang
To perform the "Payak Dom Kwang" style.
Start with Wai Kru from the Dhep Phanom form until stand up with the Dhep Nimitra form.
Step 1: turn round your body to the right direction to wai "Phra Brahma : the right direction" for one time.
Step 2: from the Kow Yang, while the left foot is front, bend your body down frontward tighten the fist, raise your elbow to block the front side and instantly turn around to look at the backside which is look at the counterpart , the right arms and right foot are behind. Nod your head up and down to the counterpart one or two times
Step 3: repeat step 2 but switch the use the right foot front instead. And then repeat the step 2 and 4, which turn to perform until complete all 4 directions. Then go back to your corner with "Kow Yang" and bend body down to salute the counterpart. The "Payak Dom Kwang" and " Kwang Leow Lung" perform similar style.
There are many other Techniques like Sue Lak Hang, SOW NOY PRA PANG, Tha Wai Bung Kom, and Chak Pang Pad Nah, if you guys want to know about them too then please do let me know i will try my best to Write on them too... in next Step i will try to go a little about Muay Thai Terminology.

gehra hai samandar


بے چین ہے بے تاب ہے گہرا ہے سمندر 
یعنی کہ میرے پیار کے جیسا ہے سمندر
کیا دکھ ہے کسی لہر کو چھو کر کبھی دیکھو 
تم نے تو فقط دور سے دیکھا ہے سمندر
کہنے کو بہت خشک اور ویران ہیں آنکھیں 
لیکن جو لگے ٹھیس تو بہتا ہے سمندر
کیا لکھوں میں پانی پے کہانی کے ہمیشہ 
ہر روز نیا رنگ بدلتا ہے سمندر
برسوں سے پریشان سی لہروں کو اٹھاے
پیغام یہ کسکا لئے پھرتا ہے سمندر
گم سم کبھی بے چین کبھی اپنی مگن میں 
لگتا ہے ہمیں آپ کے جیسا سمندر
انسان سے دکھ کہتا ہے لہروں کی زبانی 
فرصت یہاں کس کو کہاں رہتا ہے سمندر
اس کرب کا اندازہ بھلا کون کریگا 
ہر سمت ہے پانی مگر پیاسا ہے سمندر 
اک شہر جسے خود ہی بسایا تھا مگر اب
ارمان بہت دور سے تکتا ہے سمندر 

Hmmmm pagal :)


گھنٹوں اس سے 
پیار کی باتیں 
 کرتے کرتے
جب میں اس سے 
رخصت ہو کر واپس پلتا 
میرے پیچھے ہلکا سا وہ 
ہنس کر بولی 
ہُنہ!!!
پاگل :)

Wednesday, 12 October 2011

Aisa bhee hona hai


اک دیں ایسا بھی ہونا ہے 

جب مجکو بھولنا چاہوگے تو یاد میری دوہراوگے 
تم لاکھ بھلانہ چاہوگے پر مجھ کو بھول نہ پاؤگے 
اک دیں ایسا بھی ہونا ہے 
جب آئینے میں دیکھوگے تو عکس میرا ہے پاؤگے 
تم راہ ہماری دیکھوگے
پر ہم کو ڈھونڈ نہ پاؤگے 
اک دیں ایسا بھی ہونا ہے 
جب بھری بھری سی محفل میں 
تم خود کو تنہا پاؤگے 
لوگوں میں ، ہر چہرے میں ، تم مجھ کو ڈھونڈنا چاہوگے 
پر مجھکو ڈھونڈ نہ پاؤگے
تم یاد رکھو ہاں یاد رکھو اک دیں ایسا بھی ہونا ہے

koi bhee nahin apna


نہ دل نہ دریچہ نہ آنگن کی ہوا اپنی 
نہ یاد کے صحرا میں چلی باد سبا اپنی 
ہونٹوں پے کھلے پھول 
نہ آنکھوں میں سجے خواب
نہ شب کی ترکی ہی
نہ اجالے سحر کے 
مہتاب سجی رات ، وہ ہلتے هووے ہاتھ
  نہ ہی کھلتی هووے کلیاں 
ہونٹوں پے سجی مسکان 
کوئی بھی نہیں اپنا 
بن مول ملے وہ جو رفاقت نہیں اپنی 
اغراض بھری دنیا میں چاہت بھی نہیں اپنی 
یہ رشتے، یہ لہو اور یہ جذبے ہیں اکارت 
اس شہر میں خاموش محبّت کی پرکھ کس کو ہے 
تنہائی ہی برسوں سے میرے دل کی مکیں ہے 
طوفان میں جو گم ہیں تیری آنکھوں کے سمندر 
یہ ساتھ تیرا ، یاد تیری ، نام تیرا جاناں 
کوئی بھی نہیں اپنا 
کوئی بھی نہیں اپنا


asaddkar@gmail.com

www.thes3.org