Agree totally about the junior gradings Singto and the kids need direction, to that end so do some of the adults. The arguments for and against gradings will always exist.Having the option is the best so that they can take it if they wish. For the matter of culture, ram muay, language, understanding, history, corner work, coaching etc the gradings are good because we dont live in Thailand and therefore some of the things that the thais are exposed to westerners are not! What needs to be understood is that what seasoned international Thai fighters know and the fact that many travel the world is not shared by all members that train in Muay Thai. Therefore, the gradings can fill the historical and technical gap not provided by a fight career or time in Thailand.

The problem with a fighting sport like Muay Thai is that how can somebody without fight experience be a higher level than a skilled fighter! For some people this is a problem. For me it is not because many of my fighters here are going to exceed my fight record and therefore does that mean they are a better teacher? Not always the case. Some people make great teachers and others dont regardless of fight experience. in my case I think that the fight experience has been very useful to me. Knowing how a fighter feels, knowing what nerves are like, the tiredness of fight training and the whole fight scene is an asset without a doubt. Some good fighters are currently coming from gyms where the main trainers are former fighters. Not gonna mention names. Gradings can have their uses but shouldnt be seen as the only way to be a good instructor. Kieran from this gym has never sat a grading yet he can teach all the Ram Muays, awesome padwork, good cornerwork, trains all the students young to old. His was a working apprenticeship that beats a grading all day long. All the fighers should get honary instructors grades after a certain amount of fights because you know that their knowledge will be sharp in all areas if they are avid followers. No grading will ever be greater than experience!