Vichean Bootdee, known professionally as Chamuekpet Hapalang, is a Thai former professional Muay Thai fighter and boxer.
17 Facts About Chamuekpet Hapalang
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Chamuekpet Hapalang is a former four-time Lumpinee Stadium champion and five-time Rajadamnern Stadium champion across seven divisions, as well as the 1985 Sports Writers Association of Thailand Fighter of the Year, who famous during the 1980s and 1990s.
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Chamuekpet Hapalang fought in Bangkok in the late 1970s to the 1990s, and later on fought in Japan where he would become a well-known Muay Thai trainer.
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Chamuekpet Hapalang was inspired to take up Muay Thai by watching his older brother Claynoi Rasemechan train in the Sor.
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Chamuekpet Hapalang was later recruited by the famous Dieselnoi Chor.
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Chamuekpet Hapalang fought in Mueang Chon Buri and Pattaya in his local province until he ran out of opponents.
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Chamuekpet Hapalang participated in around 40 fights in his time in the Sor.
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Chamuekpet Hapalang won his first title in the Pinweight division at 17-years-old by defeating Samart Payakaroon by decision in 1980, a fight that Chamuekpet himself doubted he could win.
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Chamuekpet Hapalang started his career as a southpaw Muay Bouk and Muay Khao hybrid fighter which meant that he was a pressure fighter who was adept at knee striking.
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Chamuekpet Hapalang was known for his preference to land straight knee strikes.
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Chamuekpet Hapalang was described in Thailand to have a "strong mind" which suited his pressuring Muay Bouk style.
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Chamuekpet Hapalang was consistently matched up against best possible opponents in the weight classes that he was in such as Samart and Kongtoranee Payakaroon, Oley Kiatoneway, Samransak Muangsurin, Jaroenthong Kiatbanchong, Wangchannoi Sor.
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Chamuekpet Hapalang won 4 Lumpinee and 5 Rajadamnern belts across 7 weight classes, a record that is still unbeaten.
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Chamuekpet Hapalang trained at the Hapalang gym for 14 years.
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Chamuekpet Hapalang would have his last fight in 2000 against kickboxer Kensaku Maeda and won despite having his arm broken during the bout.
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Chamuekpet Hapalang was forced to retire from combat sports due to the injury.
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Chamuekpet Hapalang is married and has 4 children as of 2012.