A Thai boxer from Beeston’s Master Sken Academy (MSA) has just returned from two weeks of intense training and competition in Thailand. Gracjan Krupski emerged as an elite member of the England team winning a gold medal in the 66kg pro-am category which allows older amateur fighters to compete under some professional rules. The event held in Bangkok was the WMF sanctioning body world championships.
“My first bout against an experienced Lebanese fighter aged 23 was well into the tournament,” said Krupski, 18, “I placed a lot of pressure on him with strong punches which did some damage and got me the win. I then went on to win the gold against a Brazilian competitor. I dominated the fight with further strong punches and a left kick. Bouts at the tournament were fast paced but it was great fun and more importantly I gained some valuable experience.
“Uzbekistan had the most fighters but there was a large contingent in Team England especially juniors under sixteen. The Uzbeks were serious, but we had fun while offering each other strong support as we did for Matty Sylvester who won a silver in the 81kg category. Everyone enjoyed the high-quality hotel accommodation including swimming pool, gym and sauna. Now I’m back home catching up preparing for my imminent ‘A’ level exams.”
Lawnswood School student Krupski lives in Bramley but trains in Beeston under Rafal Wrzeszcz, 39, who has been a qualified instructor since 2015 at MSA Beeston. Silver medallist Sylvester from Belle Isle is currently living in Thailand honing his skills alongside world champion Jordan Watson. With ten professional fights under his belt at just 21 Sylvester is soon to fight at Bangkok’s prestigious Rajadamnern Stadium.
Achieving success like Krupski and Sylvester is the goal of younger fighters from across South Leeds training at MSA such as Jakub, Jack, Fabian and Filip. “Thai boxing has made me athletic,” said college student Jakub, 17. “I used to get into scraps, now having trained for two years I can do so for sport. Everyone wins.”
Jack, 15, “is happy that this past year training Thai boxing has taught me how to defend myself which is a necessary skill and also great fun.” Fabian, 15, states that “this sport just makes me feel better about myself as the training and competing is so good” with his friend Filip, 16, praising “the improved fitness all fighters develop and happy that after five years training, I’m now getting increasingly tough competitions.”
Fresh from his recent victories in Bangkok and in February at Barnsley Metrodome, Krupski will be cheering on teammates at the Sandee novice show at the South Yorkshire venue on Saturday 12 April 2025.
Pro-Am might well be unique to Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, in that much of the protective equipment worn in amateur bouts is no longer required. Pro-am boxers compete without shin pads, but elbow pads remain compulsory. Kicks, knees and elbows to the head are allowed but pro-am fights remain at amateur length i.e. five two-minute rounds rather than the three minutes for professional bouts.
This post was written by James Bovington
Main photo: Gracjan Krupski is awarded his gold medal, coach Rafal Wrzeszcz is on the right
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