sityodtongla.com

 

 

 

 

Walter "Sleeper" Michalowski - Owner and Head Instructor (Kru), Muay Thai

At his last pro fight he was the featured main event at the newly built Pattaya Stadium in Thailand. He fought against Phothong Sor. Preapan, a formidable opponent that was fifteen years his junior with twice as many recorded fights. The bout was broadcast on Thai national television and Walter won by an impressive first round knockout victory. Walter's record is 32–5-0 and include two United World Muay Thai Middleweight titles, three UWMTA Junior Middleweight titles and an International Muay Thai Council Middleweight North American Championship title. When asked if he'll ever fight again, Walter's response is neither a firm yes nor a definite no, because as a gym owner his focus and passion is training students and developing fighters.

Walter attributes his success in the ring to having logged many miles with top-notch trainers and coaches. He was a staff instructor in the Jeet Kune Do Concepts under Richard Bustillo and his conditioning trainer for several of his championship titles was with notable strength and conditioning coach, Matt Ribaudo from All Star Fitness. Training to fight is serious business and being in top physical condition is essential not only for a win, but to also avoid getting fatally injured. Walter's Muay Thai trainers include Nanfa Serchadeco, a Rajadamnern Stadium Champion and an Olympic Silver Medallist in Boxing; Saekson Janjira, a six-time World Champion and the Great Ajarn Yod Tong Senanan, founder of the famed Sityodtong Muay Thai Camp in Pattaya, Thailand. Walter's current trainer in Thailand is Kongtoranee Payakaroon, a five-time Lumpinee Stadium Champion and older brother of Thai legend, Samart Payakaroon.

In addition to Muay Thai, Walter is also a skilled boxer and since early 2000 he has trained with Freddie Roach and Justin Fortune at Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood. Walter's boxing training began as a youngster under the guidance of his father who was a former boxer from the Midwest. Walter recalls, “My early years in boxing was from the school of hard knocks. My dad's idea of training was to let you put the gloves on and then start blasting.” Although Walter felt his father's coaching abilities fell short of many of his later trainers, he credits his father for instilling one of the most important elements for a fighter and that's developing mental and physical toughness. 

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June Castro-Michalowski - Owner and Instructor, Kickboxing, Combat Conditioning, Boot Camp, Self Defense

June is a world-renowned martial artist and a certified fitness professional. She is an 8th Degree Black Belt in Shaolin Kenpo Karate and a certified instructor in Jeet Kune Do Concepts and Self Defense Tactics.

She began training in the martial arts at the age of four in Shaolin Kenpo Karate under the strict tutelage of her father, Martial Arts Hall of Fame recipient and Great Grandmaster, Ralph Castro. She is also one of seven children and growing up in a household of martial artist made for a very unique childhood. June took naps on the hardwood benches, did her homework with the roar of training in the background and competed in local tournaments on the weekends. Back then, a Girl's Division didn't exist, so she sported a short haircut and fought against the boys. “It was tough, but it made me aggressive, I held my own and won my share of trophies, recalled June.”

June's father has been great influence and inspiration to her. “My father is a true fighter. He was raised on the Hawaiian homestead, not exactly the post card image of swaying palm trees, but rather a tough, undeveloped rural part of the island where you lived by the code to hit first and ask questions later.” June's father and grandfather, a well-known boxer and prize fighter who earned the nickname the “Boss”, taught her valuable life lessons including never to back down from anyone or anything and, “If you're going down in a fight, take em' with you!”

June's extensive training in the Martial Arts include Muay Thai, Boxing, Jun Fan Gung Fu, Jun Fan Kickboxing, Filipino Kali, Indonesian Silat and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The arts that she currently teaches and trains in are Muay Thai and Boxing. “I gravitated to the fighting arts of Muay Thai and Boxing over a decade ago mainly because of the intensive workouts. I've trained in some great arts, but for me nothing compared to the conditioning drills and realistic training methods of Muay Thai.”

On a national and international level, this dynamic husband and wife team each have top selling martial arts videos and have been featured in leading industry magazines including Inside Kung Fu, Combat Martial Arts and Black Belt. In addition, they've appeared in USA Today, Sports Illustrated, Rolling Stone and Hot Bike Magazine. They've conducted seminars across the country and have taught at health clubs, gyms and martial arts academies throughout Southern California. The Michalowski's have diverse training backgrounds and individual achievements and together they make an extraordinary team. 

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Vito Gasparyan - Instructor, Boxing

• From Justin Fortune’s Gym in Hollywood.
• "Pro Boxer" with a record of 11-2-4 with five knockouts!

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Alberto Crane - Instructor, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ)

• Trained and Fought in Brazil
• “Gold Medalist” Black Belt Division, Brazil
• King of the Cage, Lightweight Champion
• UFC Competitor
• Active MMA Competitor

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Naill Yamane - Instructor, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ)

• State Champion, High School Wrestling (66-6)
• Wrestling Team (Pacific University)
• Gold Medalist, US Nationals and Gracie Nationals
• Gold Medalist, Pan American Games
• Instructors include Ralph Gracie and Wander Braga

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Amir Rahnavardi - Instructor, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)

• Trained in Muay Thai, Boxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
• Active Muay Thai, MMA Competitor
• Four Championship Titles
• Former I.F.L. Competitor
• Veteran “Pride 3”, Japan

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Todd E. Bostrom - Instructor, Strength Training

• Competed in the sport of powerlifting attaining a spot on Powerlifting USA top 100 Squats in the 198 lbs weight class
• Assistant Strength Coach UCLA (Football, Baseball and Swimming)
• Worked with Santa Monica track athletes and dropped the time of an 11 sec - 100m sprinter to 10.69sec with minimal training (8weeks-2x/week)Four Championship Titles
• Todd is the author of "Z Last Book You'll Ever Need On Strength Training".  The book received HUGE reviews from Bill Kazmaier, Franco Columbo, Phil Pfister, Joe Weider, Mark Philippi, Dr. Terry Todd and Mike Lambert.  They are some of the biggest names in the history of strongman, powerlifting and bodybuilding. You can read their full reviews at www.zlastbook.com

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Ozzy Venegas - Assistant Instructor

• Trained in Muay Thai and Boxing
• Active Muay Thai Competitor
• Active Boxing Competitor
• Computer Science Specialist

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Josh Aragon - Assistant Instructor

• Trained in Muay Thai and Boxing
• Active Muay Thai Competitor
• Trained in Thailand
• I.A.M.T.F. California Middleweight Champion

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Alex Anoushian - Assistant Instructor

• Trained in Muay Thai and Boxing
• Active Muay Thai Competitor
• Trained in Thailand

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Priscilla Solano - Assistant Instructor

• Trained in Muay Thai and Boxing
• Active Muay Thai Competitor
• Trained and Fought in Thailand
• Child Development Specialist

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Andy Lazarit - Assistant Instructor

• Trained in Muay Thai and Boxing
• Active Muay Thai Competitor
• Custom Hot Rod Aficionado

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