Kevin’s Grand in Thai circles

HONOURED... Muay Thai teacher, Kevin Lloyd has been bestowed thehighly-acclaimed Grandmaster status.

A PIONEERING teacher who has spread the art of Muay Thai Boxing around the globe for almost four decades has received a rare international honour.

Kevin Lloyd was the first person not originally from the martial art’s homeland of Thailand to receive the prestigious title of Grand Master.

The 54-year-old, from Shaw, brought Muay Thai from tiny beginnings in Oldham in the mid-1970s to the present day, a popular combat sport in Great Britain and beyond.

Grand Master Lloyd, who runs Fitton Hill’s Siam Camp, said: “It’s great news and was unexpected.

“I was the first foreigner outside of Thailand to receive the title by the Kru Muay Thai Association.

“There has been another teacher since — a Lebanese man, to receive the honour as well — but there are only two of us.”

The former British Champion and his talented students, which includes former World Champion Andrew Lofthouse (20) of Fitton Hill, are treated like celebrities when they fly out to Thailand.

At a recent tournament, Grand Master Lloyd was rubbing shoulders with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. And his boss in the World Muaythai Federation is President Chaisit Shinawatra, the cousin of former Thailand Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra and Prime Minister-in-waiting, Yingluck Shinawatra, who was elected earlier this month.

Grand Master Lloyd, who holds a number of titles in national and international bodies - took an interest in martial arts after being bullied at a young age.

He said: “I got picked on when I was at school and wanted to do my own thing, so I took up judo.

“Then I saw two Thai’s jumping about at a local carnival and I thought it looked fantastic, and much better than what I was doing.”

His school has flourished over the years, teaching countless pupils, young and old. His contribution to the Hathershaw community has helped to keep many local youngsters away from anti-social behaviour.

An elite team from Siam Camp, based at Earl Mill, will be flying out to the Far East next month for the Open Muay Thai Amateur Championships in celebration of the Queen’s Birthday.