Chanchai Sor Tamarangsi: “Mr. Teep” – Biography & Best Fights
Carrying the nickname, ‘Poot 2’, reminiscent of the legendary muay femur champion Poot Lorlek, Chanchai Sor Tamarangsi bore the weight of immense expectations from a tender age. As whispers of his potential greatness resonated through the stadiums, Chanchai didn’t just meet but surpassed those high expectations, forging a path to legendary status in Muay Thai.
| Name: | Chanchai Sor Tamarangsri |
| Birth Name: | Chanchai Kongkraphan |
| Thai Name: | ชาญชัย ส.ธรรมรังสี |
| Date of Birth: | 19th October 1967 |
| Place of Birth: | Pak Chong, Thailand |
| Other Names: | Poot 2, Chanchai Sor.Kiatdisak |
| Height: | 1.67 m (5 ft 5+1⁄2 in) |
| Weight: | 57 kg (126 lb; 9.0 st) |
| Style: | Muay Thai, Fimeu |
| Stance: | Orthodox |
| Fighting out of: | Pak Chong, Thailand |
| Team: | Sor Tamarangsri gym, Sor.Kiatdisak (1978-1984) |
Chanchai Sor Tamarangsi was born in 1967 in the Pak Chong District of Nakhon Ratchasima province. He was one of six siblings, with three of them being established Thai boxers. Their father was a former Muay Khao.
Chanchai’s first Muay Thai camp was a nearby facility named Sor Kiattisak in Pak Chong. It was at this rudimentary camp that he had his first fight at the age of 11.
At 16, Chanchai began fighting in the big stadiums of Bangkok in the 100 lbs division. Even at this young age, Chanchai showcased his muay femur style, impressing spectators with his teeps and middle kicks.
After a strong run of victories, Chanchai Sor Tamarangsi earned his first Lumpinee title fight against “Little Bull” Paruhatlek Sitchunthong on March 30th, 1984. Paruhatlek was the former 102 lbs Lumpinee champion and the reigning 108 lbs Lumpinee champion who had defeated numerous top tier opponents such as Jampatong Na Nontachai, Wisanupon Saksamut and Samart Payakaroon.
Chanchai and Purahatlek met in front of a packed Lumpinee Stadium, where spectators eagerly awaited to witness the young prodigy Chanchai demonstrate his skills against the seasoned veteran Paruhatlek, who had a decade of experience over him.
The challenge proved to be too much too soon for the young Chanchai as the match ended in a draw, with Paruhatlek retaining his championship belt.
The Sor Tamarangsi Switch
Following another loss to Paruhatlek just one month later, Chanchai decided to move to the Sor Tamarangsi Camp which was owned by Colonel Pontreemetee Tamarangsi. Renowned across the district, this camp had churned out great fighters like Lookdod, Morakot, and Prasongpet, who lived and trained there.
Less than 12 months later, Chanchai Sor Tamarangsi fought 12 times, winning eight fights with one draw and one loss. One of these wins was against the notorious Bangkhlanoi Sor Thanikul (teammate of Boonlai Sor Thanikul) who was a prominent figure in the Bangkok stadiums in the late 1970s/early 1980s, having formerly held the 102, 108 and 118 lbs Lumpinee belts. The only fighter Chanchai lost to during this period was “Mr. Computer Knee” Chamuekpet Hapalang, who was a former Lumpinee belt holder at 102, 108, 112 and 118 lbs, and a former Rajadamnern champion at 104 lbs.
This impressive run of results led Chanchai to a 118 lbs Lumpinee title fight against Maewnoi Sitchang in June, 1985. Chanchai Sor Tamarangsiwon the bout by judges’ decision, becoming Lumpinee champion at 17 years old.
Chanchai went on to successfully defend his title a few months later to Petdam Lukborai who had defeated Kongtoranee Payakaroon a year earlier to win the 118 lbs belt. Chanchai then made another successful defence against Sanit Wichitkriangkrai in November, followed by two more victories against Wisanupon Saksamut and Jongrak Lukprabat.
In total, Chanchai fought a total of ten times in 1985, winning eight, with one loss and one draw.
In the midst of Chanchai’s glory, Sanit Wichitkriangkrai was on a streak of his own at Lumpinee Stadium. Sanit challenged Chanchai for his 118 lbs Lumpinee belt in January of 1986, winning by judges decision.
Although Chanchai experienced mixed results for the remainder of 1986 with wins against Sriracha Sakphannee and Sanit Wichitkriangkrai, and losses against Samransak Muangsurin and Saecherng Pinsinchai, he managed to win the 118 lbs Lumpinee title from Panrit Luksiracha in July.
Chanchai Sor Tamarangsi tied up 1986 with a successful defence against Wanlop Sitnoknit in December.
The following year, despite losing yet another judges’ decision to Chamuekpet Hapalang, Chanchai worked his way to another title shot by beating top contenders Bandon Sitbangprachan and “The Fighting Playboy” Jomwo Chernyim. This time, a powerful fighter that had beaten Chanchai one year prior reigned supreme in the Lumpinee 118 lbs division.
Chanchai utilised his trademark teeps and middle kicks to defeat the reigning champion, Yoknoi Fairtex, in a points victory.
Following a loss to the tough Muay Bouk Sangtiennoi Sor Rungroj and draws against the legendary technicians Manasak Sor Ploenchit and Saencherng Pinsinchai, Chanchai Sor Tamarangsi successfully defended his title against old adversary Jomwo Chernyim. He then beat Saencherng in yet another title defence one month later, and defeated Manasak, “The King of Muay Thai”, two months after that.
In 1988, at the age of 21, Chanchai suffered his final defeat as a Lumpinee champion against his long-standing rival, ‘The Iron Fist’ Samransak Muangsurin. This loss marked the culmination of their trilogy, with Samransak winning all three fights.
Consistency in the Ranks
Over the next seven years, Chanchai would fight Thailand’s top contenders, defeating names like Petdam Lukborai, Panomrunglek Chor Sawat, Orono Por Muang Ubon, Sangtiennoi Sor Rungroj, Taweechai Wor Preecha, Pepsi Payapan, while suffering defeat at the hands of Cherry Sor Wanich, Superlek Sorn Esarn, Nampon Nongkeepahuyuth, Manasak Sor Ploenchit, Sakmongkol Sithchuchoke, Jaroenthong Kiatbanchong, Kongnapa Watcharawit and Coban Lookchaomaesaitong. The names Chanchai faced in defeat were revered figures in the sport, a testament to the caliber of fighter during the early 1990s.
One highlight among these battles is Chanchai’s fight against “Black Superman” Orono Por Muang Ubon, who was swept aside on the night with teeps and body kicks. Orono had just dominated a one-sided bout with Ramon Dekkers a few months prior, where Orono fought at 13 lbs above his natural weight in order to meet Dekkers at his preferred weight.
After a run of three victories at the Channel 7 Stadium in 1995, Chanchai challenged Chalunlap Sor Rungroj for the 135 lbs title, securing his fourth stadium title at the age of 28.
Later that year, Chanchai Sor Tamarangsi entered the 6th Isuzu Cup tournament, defeating Thepparit Tor.Tawatchai in the semi-final, and losing to Suwitlek Sor.Kaokarat in the final.
Chanchai Sor Tamarangsi Legacy
Chanchai’s mastery of Muay Thai technique, particularly his execution of the teep, cements his legacy as one of the greatest muay femurs of all time. His ability to utilise this technique to control distance and dictate the flow of his fights exemplifies his genius.
As one of the foremost practitioners of this most important maneuver, Chanchai’s influence on the sport is timeless, solidifying his place among the elite in Muay Thai history.
Today, Chanchai passes on his technical style in China.
