Rough paths

When I was younger, I used to practice Muay Thai. It was during this period that I had the opportunity to meet Itthipol Akkasrivorn, a renowned May Thai world champion.

Photo and words: Lorenzo Morandi

Each workout begins the same way: a long run to bolster resistance and prepare the muscles for the demanding training sessions of Muay Thai.

Itthipol Akkasrivorn was born in That Phanom, a village in Northeast Thailand. At the age of only fifteen he moved to Pattaya, to train at the prestigious Sityodtong camp. This voyage, which took him away from his home and loved ones, was largely about personal growth and technical and physical perfection. From local camps he soon found himself confronting the great champions of Muay Thai and fighting for the most important titles in Thailand and China, as Sityodtong fighter.

Khieo’s life is characterised by another important move, this time to Italy. Here he won five World Championships and one Intercontinental Championship. Since 2001 he has been teaching Muay Thai, surrounded by the affections of his family and the students of the school he founded.

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