History of World Team USA
Chief Instructor and Owner Kru Sam (Chilaphanh) Phimsoutham is a Thai/Laos trainer whose mother is Laos and whose father was a Thai General. Muay Thai, but more specifically Muay Boran and Lerdrit, run in his family for generations. His father was also a trainer and a referee in Lumpini and his uncle the same. His first lesson in Muay Boran was given to him when he was four years old. He was not a Muay Thai Champion.
He immigrated to the United States at age seven. At the age of 18 Kru Sam then trained under Master Toddy, whose father knew his father, to become a Muay Thai trainer and teacher. Master Toddy taught Kru Sam an unbeatable system of teaching and continued to train him in this manner for 10 years. He also certified him as "Kru." Because knowing how to fight does not always translate to knowing how to train others, Kru Sam's innate ability to teach, his Muay Boran and Lerdrit background and certification from Master Toddy are keys to his success.
Kru Sam brought Muay Thai to the Bay Area in 1991. He introduced the sport by fighting black belts in the Bay Area wherever he could. Word quickly spread and interest in the sport was immediately picked up by legends such as Sifu Harlan Lee, Sifu Shane Lacey and the Lozada family. SFPD Officer Paul Lozada gave Kru Sam his first teaching job at a small academy in downtown San Francisco. Kru Sam taught part time for years raising fighters, including Wrath White, Alex Gong (RIP) and Richard Tan. They obtained most of their experience in gymnasiums.
When Kru Sam opened up Team USA nearly 10 years ago, he raised his second generation of Champions - David Lau, Anthony Badua and John Ellcessor. These Champions were privileged to experience Muay Thai competitions in productions brought by BJohn Promotions, Scott Coker's Strikeforce and Dennis Warner's World Championship Muay Thai. In fact Kru Sam, along with Coach Cung Le and Professor Navarros, brought the first "smoker" to the Bay Area in 1995. Today, Kru Sam is on his fourth generation of Champions and the team continues to grow. With the legalization of MMA, Team USA expects to add its ground game and introduce a team of MMA fighters.
For over 18 years of teaching Kru Sam's passion for this art has been instilled in many who have crossed paths with him. A select few successfully became his fighter and Champion. Although they have moved on, they remain in his heart and always apart of Team USA' history.
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Wrath White
Wrath was amongst Kru Sam's first Champions - his first generation of fighters in the 1990's. Wrath combined power and smarts to outclass numerous opponents. He now lives in Las Vegas, Nevada where he successfully trains MMA fighters. |
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Bebe Etzler
Bebe was one of Kru Sam's top fighters and won numerous titles before leaving to open up his own school in 2006. Bebe will join Kru Edge Brown in this new venture. We wish them all the best. |
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Steve Del Fierro
Steve was a fighter known for his tremendous heart in the ring. He delivered 4 straight KO's in 2002. Steve continues to pursue his career as a professional fighter and we wish him well. |
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Christine Toledo
Christine was blossoming as a fighter when she moved to Las Vegas to pursue a career in marketing and to buy a home. She became a Champion under Kru Sam but truly a great fighter under Master Toddy, Kru Sam's teacher. We anticipate great things for Christine as her Muay Thai career continues to grow. |
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Patti Teran
Patti was Kru Sam's first female Champion and is a perpetual role model for our up coming female fighters at Team USA. Her pursuit of a Masters Degree in Education has taken her to the UNLV, where she trains under Master Toddy. She recently won her Intercontinental title in England. |
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Rebecca De La Motte
Rebecca was one of Kru Sam's premier female fighters. She moved to New York one week before her first Championship bout for Kru Sam to take on an opportunity of a lifetime in broadcasting. Under Five Points Fitness in New York City she took her first title a few weeks later. Rebecca continues a great broadcasting career and will hopefully make it back to San Francisco one day. |
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Keishan Scott
Keishan was among Kru Sam's third generation of Champions, known for his athleticism and speed. Keishan currently lives in Georgia and stays in touch. |
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Nellie Partow
Nellie was among Kru Sam's first generation of female fighters. Famous for her fast hands, Nellie has made a career for herself in boxing and fashion design at Calvin Klein's in New York City. |
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Art Emr
Art fundamentally understood the art of Muay Thai and respected it most. As Team USA's fighter he was technical and efficient. He currently resides in Las Vegas and owns his own business. |
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Xavier Macay
Xavier was a figher with a lot of heart and much talent. His diverse background allowed him to be very versatile in the ring. He currently teaches kickboxing in the city. He has a new daughter and we wish him well. |
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Bret Bergmark
Bret was one of Team USA's toughest. He is primarily an MMA fighter but was also an effective striker for Team USA. Bret joined Bebe Etzler and Kru Edge Brown to open a new school in the city. We also wish him the best. |
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