A wise man once said B次元官网网址楴ot everything in life is about Muay Thai, but everything in Muay Thai is about life.B次元官网网址�

This rings true for both Logan Yancey, 15, and Liam Orr, 14 who recently represented Canada at the 2023 WBC Muay Thai Junior Nationals in Calgary, Alberta on April 9.

B次元官网网址淚t meant a lot to me to compete,B次元官网网址� said Yancey. B次元官网网址淚t was really exciting, and super nerve racking, but I definitely had a lot of fun, and learned a lot.B次元官网网址�

Both boys journeys have just begun, as Yancey just started training four months ago, while Orr as been training nearly six.

B次元官网网址淢artial Arts prepares young people for the adversity of life and builds their character,B次元官网网址漵aid co-owner of DuncanB次元官网网址檚 World Class Muay Thai gym Artur Nowacki. B次元官网网址淢uay Thai is not an easy path. Having these young guys ready for competition on a national level after a short amount of time means weB次元官网网址檙e doing our part correctly. We put in the work, learned along the way, and grew stronger.B次元官网网址�

Orr will continue to flex his strength as he advances to the 2023 World Boxing CouncilB次元官网网址檚 Muay Thai World Junior Championships held in Venice, Italy from June 23 to 25. Nowacki said the growth heB次元官网网址檚 shown since his training began less than a year ago is nothing short of remarkable.

B次元官网网址淭he courage heB次元官网网址檚 exhibited under difficult circumstances is impressive,B次元官网网址� said Nowacki. B次元官网网址淲henever he passed through an obstacle his eyes would shine with enthusiasm, joy, and fulfillment. It means a lot to have Liam competing on the World stage, ItB次元官网网址檚 inspiring and encouraging for everyone, and confirms weB次元官网网址檙e all capable of elevating our physicality, mental faculties and building our character. Paving his path to the world stage is tremendous pressure and realization for teens like him.B次元官网网址�

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Nowacki began training Muay Thai students in Duncan in 2010, but good fortune, and talented students led to taking two Canadian champions simultaneously, among other international titles. This stretch of success took Nowacki to Thailand, and other spots across the globe. He returned to the Cowichan Valley in 2021 with his partner and world class athlete Jessica Gladstone who aside from being co-owner and co-coach has also accrued 42 fights over her 20-year Muay Thai career.

B次元官网网址淭hroughout my professional career IB次元官网网址檝e been blessed with many opportunities that took me to Mexico, Thailand, Australia, Sweden, and Germany to name a few,B次元官网网址� said Gladstone. B次元官网网址淚 battled it out and shared the ring with many world class female fighters.B次元官网网址�

One bout that stands out for Gladstone was a last minute opportunity to fight in a four-girl tournament for the first ever female Glory World Bantamweight Title. Gladstone was the first female from Canada to participate at this level.

B次元官网网址淭his was one of my best fights, and one I will never forget,B次元官网网址� said Gladstone. B次元官网网址淭he energy, and feeling of everything coming together, and that something bigger was at work. I felt so focused and calm in a state of surrender and flow. I took the win by unanimous decision against seasoned German opponent, Daniela Graf, and advanced to the finals in Germany. This fight taught me what it meant to be capable of anything you put your mind to. It showed me, all of this wasnB次元官网网址檛 just about me, but for everyone who believed in me.B次元官网网址�

What was once a path of fighting and taking titles across the world, has now become one of giving back to the community.

B次元官网网址淭he most important thing that Artur and the framework of Muay Thai has taught me is about giving and sharing,B次元官网网址� said Gladstone. B次元官网网址淲hatever you give, comes back to you three fold. If you hesitate or are less than generous and honest with what the art has created within you, and your body, then you will miss out on the available rewards.B次元官网网址�

The couple has also been offering the sport to autistic youth, and theyB次元官网网址檝e seen it build team skills, balance and confidence.

B次元官网网址淜ids with autism are fascinating to work with,B次元官网网址� said Nowacki. B次元官网网址淭he most rewarding part is the smile and enthusiasm, and the change I see in parents. They definitely light up with enthusiasm as the process unfolds. They seem more at ease, and also show a sense of pride in their kidB次元官网网址檚 efforts. ItB次元官网网址檚 amazing how sport can provide an incredible platform to accelerate oneB次元官网网址檚 personal development, respect for others, emotional control and positivity.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淭his next chapter to me, is the fruit of it all,B次元官网网址� said Gladstone. B次元官网网址淲ith the mindset of trusting the process, observing, holding and taking care of the things and people who kept me on this path, I can make a positive impact in a studentB次元官网网址檚 life to learn to do the same. The changes that transpired in me since I began at 15 are immeasurable. I am truly blessed by my lifeB次元官网网址檚 path and look forward to learning more, while inspiring youngsters to raise themselves up like I did. Being able to now give back to the community means everything to me.B次元官网网址�

chadd.cawson@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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