Warrior Spirit Martial Arts fighters and coach gearing up for Muay Thai World Festival

When it comes to training his fighters leading up to a competition, Fontaine pushes them hard, emphasizing his belief that lacklustre effort leads to lacklustre results.

“I try to teach my students to hold themselves accountable. It’s something they need to learn, especially in the fight game. It’s not baseball, basketball or hockey. You’re getting hit. So, they got to learn these things,” Fontaine said.

The fighters representing Warrior Spirit at the worlds include:

Russ Paskamin

Keetan Paskamin

Braant Ford

Christian Isaiha Pete

Aiden Fox

The worlds are going to be a new experience for fighters and coaches alike, and Fontaine hopes his athletes can get a positive experience, learn from different perspectives and display their training from Warrior Spirit.

“We’ve been told many times that our students here get world-class training. I love for my students to see it firsthand. I’m not a gatekeeper. I’m not going to hold them back. I love for them to go and try new places. They’re going to Thailand; they’re going to go train at different gyms there.”

As they get closer to the event, the pressure and anticipation tend to build for the fighters participating, but they are ready.

“I’m not used to a whole lot of pressure like this but I’m willing to embrace it. As far as it feels… I feel honoured, like I said, and I’m just excited to wear the Warrior Spirit colours,” said Braant Ford, who is fighting at 165 pounds.

Christian Isaiha Pete is also ready to face the music.

“You just face everything as it comes. You can’t hide. If you want to go chase something in front of you, you got to go get it,” he said.

For athletes like Pete, the training has ramped up as the tournament draws near.

“You got to turn it up, the intensity. You want to take care of your partner, of course, but you got to make sure you’re not holding back and training yourself to hold back when you’re in the gym.”

Ford said he labels himself as a mixed martial artist rather than fighting in one specific discipline, but he’ll zero in on the training.

“Specifically, training Muay Thai techniques and sparring only Muay Thai. The clinch work, that’s important too. So just basically specializing in the certain style that I’ll be competing in.”

As the tournament gets closer, Russ Paskamin mentioned the potential of trying meditation before fights, specifying the importance of keeping a clear head.

“I think it’s important, control your breathing and try to get the mind right for tough battles like that,” he said.

For Paskamin and everyone else, it’s important to represent not only Canada, but Warrior Spirit.

“If it wasn’t for this gym, I probably wouldn’t be able to do half the things that I’m able to do. Like the world stage, freaking awesome opportunity. Coach Stuart, Team Canada coach and it’s a blessing and hard work pays off when you do it right,” Paskamin said.

“I came here as a complete stranger, but I was welcomed with nothing but open arms. I was just cool with the boys as soon as I came in. It felt like home immediately,” added Ford, talking about how tight-knit the gym is, which was also reflected by Pete heading toward the tournament.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’m so proud to have my teammates by my side. I’m honored to have them there because these guys pushed me like no one else. They understand a lot too and I couldn’t put in a word, it’s a lot.”

For Fontaine, it’s a great feeling not only to see Warrior Spirit being represented on a national stage, but Indigenous fighters as well.

“It’s pretty surreal. I have a lot of faith in my students. This was the first time we’re having five Indigenous competitors on Team Canada. Maybe next year it’s going to be bigger,” he said.

“You’re going to see the Warrior Spirit students that are First Nations on the world stage. I think that’s pretty awesome. Showing that we’re not just scrappy, but we’re technical and very clean and proficient in our movement.”

The WBC Muay Thai World Festival will begin with the opening ceremonies on June 25, followed by the tournament, which is single elimination, meaning every strike matters.

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Ryan.Lambert@pattisonmedia.com

by Ryan Lambert

Warrior Spirit Martial Arts fighters and coach gearing up for Muay Thai World Festival

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