Apidej Sit-Hirun: the master of Muay Thai kicks

Apidej Sit-Hirun, born in September 1941 in Samut Songkhram, Thailand, is considered one of the legendary figures in the history of Muay Thai. Known as “The Kicker of Bang Nok Khwaek,” his name in the 60s and 70s came to be heard in different parts of the world outside of his native country thanks to his dominance in the ring. In this way, the famous athlete is known as one of the fighters with the most powerful kicks in the history of Muay Thai, inspiring generations of fighters.

Since childhood, Apidej showed interest in Muay Thai, a discipline that is part of Thailand’s cultural identity. At the age of 8 he began training in his hometown and, after only three months of training, he had his first fight in Ratchaburi, under the name Apidej Lukpornchai, for which he earned 30 baht. This was the beginning of a career that would lead him to become one of the most feared fighters of his time.

In 1957 he adopted the professional name Apidej Sit-Hirun and began to build his reputation as an exceptional and unbeatable fighter. At this time he also dedicated himself to perfecting his characteristic kicking techniques. Thus he developed such formidable strength that, in a historic fight, he broke both arms of his opponent Sompong Charoenmuang, who had to retire from the sport after that fight. This event ended up defining Apidej’s fame as the fighter with the most devastating kicks in Muay Thai.

The renowned fighter competed regularly in the Lumpinee and Rajadamnern stadiums, the most prestigious Muay Thai centers in Thailand.

During the 1960s, he achieved an impressive milestone: he was able to simultaneously hold seven titles in Muay Thai and boxing, something unprecedented. His victories in these stadiums and his wide reputation led him to be named “Fighter of the Century” by King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

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The art of eight limbs

Apidej’s particular fighting style was part of what is known as the “art of the eight limbs,” a style typical of Muay Thai in which fists, elbows, knees and legs are used.

Although Muay Thai shares similarities with other Southeast Asian boxing systems such as lethwei in Burma or prodal in Cambodia, the strength of Apidej’s kicks allowed him to stand out and in each fight show off a technique that combined precision and brutality.

In addition to his success in this discipline, Apidej explored Western boxing. His knowledge and ability to compete in both styles allowed him to refine his offensive and defensive style, combining and specifying his techniques and further solidifying his reputation as a complete fighter.

After his retirement, the Thai boxer did not abandon Muay Thai. He began teaching as an instructor at the Fairtex school on the outskirts of Bangkok.

There, alongside modern champions such as Yodsanklai Fairtex and Kaew Fairtex, he dedicated himself to transmitting his extensive knowledge to new generations of fighters. His training style and advice were key to the performance of several recognized contemporary champions.

Apidej’s impact on the modern form of Muay Thai is undeniable. Today, many gyms in Thailand teach the kicking technique he popularized, a tactic that has become central to the repertoire of professional fighters.

On April 4, 2013, Apidej died at the age of 72 from lung cancer at Phramongkutklao Hospital in Bangkok. His death was a great loss to Muay Thai and the martial arts community in general.