As Fitness and Martial Arts (FaMA) prepares to enter its third year of operations, the team has added a new Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) instructor to its team. Professor Thiago Gaspary, is a 2nd Degree BJJ Black Belt who spent some time at FaMA last year as a former Guest Instructor.
During his time in Singapore, students took interest in his style of Jiu-Jitsu which combines both old and new school techniques with effortless entries and execution.
After a 25-hour flight from Brazil to Singapore, he is back at FaMA for good and will be working with all Jiu-Jitsu practitioners to guide them on their journey.
Professor Thiago will also be looking to share what he has learnt in Norway, where he has lived and taught.
Muay Thai Director of Curriculum
Long time FaMA Muay Thai Instructor, Kru Jerel Louie, has been promoted to the role of Director of Curriculum for Muay Thai.
The certified Strength Coach (NESTA) and Muay Thai Instructor, who is recognised by the Thai Ministry of Education, will now be overseeing the curriculum for all Muay Thai classes.
Kru Jerel has been instrumental in setting up FaMA’s Muay Thai program and moving forward he will be introducing several new concepts including interactive partner drills into the Muay Thai class. This style of striking training has been a staple in North American Muay Thai academies as it promotes more fluidity and movement.
Candy Crush
Assistant coach Candy Heng may be small in size but she is definitely big with talent, coaching abilities, and work ethic.
Candy has been helping out with the kids class since she was a Blue Belt and started focusing on coaching a lot more since she received her Purple Belt six months ago from Professor Zoro Moreira.
Those who attend the noon class are always surprised when Candy starts throwing around kettlebells after two hours of BJJ training. She does this to stay in competition shape all year long.
As one of the highest ranking female BJJ athletes in FaMA and Singapore, Candy has embraced the role of a mentor to several up and coming BJJ girls from FaMA. Candy is always sharing her understanding of BJJ to young grapplers and making sure they stay on course.
Welcome to the Family
Long time member and one of the most active students at FaMA has joined the family.
Farwizah, who has taken home the title of most active student for a few months, has joined FaMA as a full-time staff starting in November.
As a model student, Farwizah set a very high bar for others to follow by showing up every day for training.
Farwizah is an avid Muay Thai practitioner, fitness enthusiast and a three stripe BJJ white belt who recently competed in her first BJJ tournament.
FaMA - Fitness and Martial Arts Established in 2016, FaMA is a world-class martial arts training facility located in the heart of the Central Business District in Singapore. Walking distance from the Clarke Quay MRT station, FaMA’s main goal is to help people improve their lives through martial arts regardless of age or athletic capability. Each program is led by experts in their respective fields. Whether it is weight loss, a fun workout, camaraderie, competition training, or just to break a sweat, FaMA has something for everyone.
Muay Thai
Muay Thai, or The Art of Eight Limbs, is a martial art developed in Thailand thousands of years ago to help the Kingdom protect itself against invaders. Using the human body as a weapon, Muay Thai practitioners are well-versed in punching, elbowing, kicking, kneeing, and clinching with their opponents. What was once only used for self-defence and protection of the Kingdom, Muay Thai has grown to become one of the most popular sports not only in Thailand but in the world. Muay Thai is known to provide a complete total-body workout that will help build lean muscle, core strength, and help with weight loss. At FaMA, Muay Thai classes are taught daily by Tanaphong Khunhankaew, or better known as Kru Ping, and Kru Jerel Louie.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or BJJ as it is commonly known around the world, is a self-defence martial art that enables a smaller, weaker person to protect themselves against a much larger attacker using leverage and pressure. Formed from Kodokan Judo in Japan, Jiu Jitsu found its way to Brazil in the 1910s through Mitsuyo Maeda, a Japanese judoka and no-holds-barred prize fighter. During his time in Brazil, Maeda accepted a young Carlos Gracie as his student. Carlos would later pass on his knowledge to his brothers, most notably Helio Gracie - the father of modern Brazilian Jiujitsu. The Gracie family would go on to spread BJJ through The Gracie Challenge and eventually the creation of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Today, BJJ has grown to be more than just an effective unarmed fighting system. It helps young children deal with bullies and adults live a healthy lifestyle. BJJ classes are offered daily at FaMA under the tutelage of Black Belts Zoro Moreira, Robyn Goudy and Thiago Gaspary.