CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) — A Cambria County martial arts gym recently launched a new children's program.
Wednesday was opening day of Muay Thai at Flood City Jiu Jitsu in Richland Township, and while the sport is known for its violent nature, parents say there's much more to it than that.
It's known as the “art of eight limbs.” Muay Thai fighters can punch, kick, knee and elbow, and the art is now being taught to kids at Flood City Jiu-Jitsu.
Jill Delsigne's daughter was one of the students in that first class, but she says the experience went beyond what was on the mat.
“This is something that can be applied outside the gym too. It builds confidence, discipline and respect.”
But martial arts like karate and, especially in Pennsylvania, wrestling, have been around for years, so why Muay Thai?
“Muay Thai is a really unknown martial art. It's definitely a unique martial art, and like I said, it's great just to give kids another option,” said Johnny Miller, owner of Flood City Jiu-Jitsu.
Both Miller and Delsigne praised Muay Thai as a practical, functional and complete art compared to more traditional martial arts.
The reasons for choosing Muay Thai are simple.
Six-year-old Roman takes jiu-jitsu classes at school but says his true love is “definitely Muay Thai.”
Miller said although it's a children's class and may be new to some parents, he intends to keep the art pure.
“I think this will be a success. We will stick to the traditional methods and do authentic Muay Thai.”
Muay Thai offers more versatility than traditional martial arts, but personal growth doesn’t just end with practice.
Miller holds black belts in karate and jiu-jitsu, was a former mixed martial artist and has coached kids who wrestle at Penn State and Rutgers, and said he has seen growth in all sports.
“The more you grow in martial arts, the more you grow as a person — mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. When you progress in martial arts, everything follows.”
Miller invited this first group to join the “OGs” and told them they would lay the foundation for other groups as the program grew.
