How Muay Thai transformed an Indian teenager with ADHD

In the Ong-Bak movie series, Tony Jaa plays a Muay Thai warrior fighting for justice. The movie catapulted him to international stardom and the artform received worldwide attention.

Now an Indian fighter is making a name for himself in the sport by beating international fighters in Thailand.

Earlier this year, Surya Sagar, who hails from the district of Sagar in Karnataka, triumphed at iconic stadiums like Rajadamnern and Lumpinee in Thailand.

“Right now, I am representing India on one of the biggest stages of Muay Thai,” he said, in an interaction with The Bridge.

But unlike others who take to prize fighting for the love of the sport, Sagar’s foray was born as an escape route.

Finding solace

As a youngster growing up, Sagar was diagnosed with attention deficit and anger management problems and struggled to fit into conventional education systems.

It was during this time that he discovered Muay Thai, a sport that helped him channel his resources and find inner peace.

“The first fight in Muay Thai was a turning point for me. I had ADHD and was dealing with anger and hyperactivity issues,” he said.

Gradually, the discipline and focus which Muay Thai demands, attracted him to the sport.

And after training for a decade, Surya now 26, finds solace in the sport.

That said, training overseas is expensive. Thankfully, his parents stand by him.

Sagar also receives aid from well wishers in the Kannada movie industry and counts the blockbuster KGF franchise star Yash as an ardent supporter.

While the sport itself is well known across Asia and the world, Muay Thai isn’t seen as a mainstream sport in India.

Fragmented structure

“Right now, Muay Thai in India is fragmented,” he notes, emphasizing the absence of a unified governing body to oversee rankings or national championships.

If one were to search for governing organisations for the sport in the country, several pop up, such as MuyaThai India, World Muay Thai Council India and the MuyaThai Federation of India.

While these entities do conduct competitions, a fragmented approach, according to Sagar, keeps a practitioner from turning professional.

“Unlike boxing or wrestling, there isn’t a unified body that oversees rankings or national championships,” he lamented.

But an undeterred Sagar remains committed to his craft.

Early success

Currently, Sagar trains in Thailand, where he benefits from a supportive environment that caters to his training and dietary needs.

“Everything is looked after by Sitmonchai Gym. They take care of my food, training and my stay.”

And the regime is delivering results.

Sagar prevailed in his debut fight at the Rajadamnern Stadium in 2022 where he beat a seasoned Thai fighter.

“No Indian had ever won at Rajadamnern Stadium before. Now, Indian fighters are making their mark there, but this victory opened the doors,” he recalled with pride.

He followed this victory with another triumph at Lumpinee Stadium earlier this year, where after defeating a respected fighter, Sagar became the first Indian Muay Thai fighter to win a golden ticket to World League of Fighters.

“He (the opponent) has fought in a lot of Thai circuit fights and is well-respected,” Surya said, noting how this win earned him a place for an upcoming prestigious competition.

Surya also made history in Pattaya as the first Indian to win a professional bout at Max Muay Thai Stadium.

Victories notwithstanding, the sport itself is brutal, and injuries are a common feature.

A brutal sport

“I broke my leg last year, which kept me out of training for six or seven months,” he explained, with a smile.

What’s more, this year alone, he has had 45 stitches across his body.

Surya’s accolades include the 2021 Indian World Boxing Council Muay Thai national title.

“It was September 2021, and there was an event organized by Vaibhav Shetty, president of WBC Muay Thai India. I won the belt in the first round by knockout,” he recounts.

This win propelled him into the WBC Muay Thai world rankings, reaching the 19th position in the super lightweight category.

Ranking and results aside, Sagar explains that fighters must constantly woo promoters and sponsor by maintaining an attractive social media presence.

“The main thing is your profile as a fighter. Promotions, especially the big stage ones, look into your profile and social media,” he explains, emphasizing how a combination of strong record and online presence can significantly influence earnings.

And after having witnessed the possibilities in the sport, Sagar spends his spare time conducting martial arts workshops for youngsters in and around Bangalore.

Once an angry, hyperactive child, he has now channeled his energies to become one of India’s top fighters in the sport.

And beyond the accolades, Sagar's journey is one of personal transformation, made possible thanks to Muay Thai.