{"id":9360,"date":"2025-01-27T09:17:27","date_gmt":"2025-01-27T09:17:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/muaythai.com\/?p=9360"},"modified":"2026-06-22T02:07:06","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T02:07:06","slug":"changpuek-kiatsongrit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/muaythai.com\/th\/changpuek-kiatsongrit\/","title":{"rendered":"Changpuek Kiatsongrit: Low Kick Legend | Biography & Fights"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Changpuek Kiatsongrit introduced Muay Thai to the world in the 1980s and 1990s, showcasing its power by taking on larger foreign opponents, often under modified rules that challenged the art\u2019s adaptability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A seven-time world champion, he defeated fighters like Raktae Muangsurin, Krongsak Prakong Boranrat, and Rob Kaman<\/a>. His 1988 win over Rick Roufus shattered perceptions of American kickboxing’s effectiveness and became a milestone in combat sports history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Name: <\/strong><\/td>Changpuek Kiatsongrit<\/td><\/tr>
Thai Name:<\/strong><\/td>\u0e2a\u0e21\u0e0a\u0e32\u0e22 \u0e23\u0e2d\u0e1a\u0e41\u0e04\u0e27\u0e49\u0e19<\/td><\/tr>
Birth Name: <\/strong><\/td>Somchai Ropkwaen<\/td><\/tr>
Date of Birth: <\/strong><\/td>October 13, 1966<\/td><\/tr>
Nickname:<\/strong><\/td>White Elephant<\/td><\/tr>
Height:<\/strong><\/td>175 cm (5 ft 9 in)<\/td><\/tr>
Weight Class: <\/strong><\/td>Middleweight, Light Heavyweight, Cruiserweight, Heavyweight<\/td><\/tr>
Occupation:<\/strong><\/td>Muay Thai<\/td><\/tr>
Stance:<\/strong><\/td>Southpaw<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Changpuek
Changpuek Kiatsongrit on a K-1 trading card from the 1990s<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Beginnings in Muay Thai<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Changpuek Kiatsongrit was born in Buriram<\/a>, a rural province in northeastern Thailand. Growing up in a family of seven, he trained with his brothers under their father\u2019s guidance. At 14, he had his first fight at a local festival, inspired by village fighters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At 18, he moved to Bangkok to join Kiatsongrit Gym, debuting at Rajadamnern Stadium at 108 lbs (49 kg). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Kiatsongrit
Changpuek Kiatsongrit joins the Kiatsongrit Muay Thai Camp in 1988<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As he progressed, he defeated some of Thailand\u2019s top fighters, though many were in the twilight of their careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1987, Changpuek fought Rajadamnern Champion Payap Premchai in a handicapped bout<\/a>, where Payap\u2019s kicks were banned. A fourth-round violation led to Payap\u2019s disqualification, setting up a rematch the following year under full Muay Thai rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n