Saenklai SitKruOd

Krailart was born on July 7, 1973 in Bua Yai, Nakhon Ratchasima province. He was the 4th child of his family with 6 siblings. His personal nickname was Moo. He was inspired to take up Muay Thai at the age of 11 after watching his older half-brother Kangwannoi Or.Sribualoi[1] fight out of the Sit Kru Od gym located in their hometown of Bua Yai. Under the tutelage of Poompichai Rattanavisid AKA Kru Od, he had his first fight after three months of training under the ring name of Klaisen Netsongkram. Fighting between 66 and 77 lbs (30 – 35 kg), he rapidly became a recognized talent in Isan, the northeastern region of Thailand where he faced future champions such as Robert Kaennorasing and Samson Isaan. He then ran out of opponents in Isan.[2]

Saenklai was an orthodox rope-a-dope Muay Femur fighter, meaning that he preferred to move backwards from his opponent to bait them into moving forward into his counters or his unpredictable attacks. He excelled at controlling his opponents using a variety of techniques such as teeps (foot jabs) to interrupt his opponent's attacks, pushing his opponents when they were off-balanced, catching kicks, sweeping, etc. His footwork allowed him to circle around his opponents or to redirect them as they came forward.

Saenklai was described to have a "strong mind" meaning that he was a durable fighter. In its prime, the Sit Kru Od gym where Saenklai and Kangwannoi trained in was famous for producing intelligent fighters, as Kru Od believed that a fighter's intelligence was their greatest weapon.[3] Kangwannoi was also described to be an intelligent fighter with a strong mind.[1][4]

In 1988, around 4 years into his Muay Thai career, he adopted the ring name of Saenklai Sit Kru Od (translates to "Saenklai, student of trainer Od") and started fighting in Bangkok. At first, he fought in Samrong Stadium until he reached 100 lbs (45.36 kg). He then made his way permanently to Lumpinee Stadium where he fought under the Petchyindee promotion. His made his successful Lumpinee debut against Rattanachai Sitrattanachai, but his later performances were inconsistent. He then quickly rose to the top of the competitive landscape, becoming a popular fighter in the Lumpinee Stadium. The stadium's officials incorrectly printed his ring name as "Saenkrai" (แสนไกร) for a year. Saenklai and his half-brother Kangwannoi Or.Sribualoi were 2 of the 4 fighters that first made the Sit Kru Od gym famous in Thailand. They both won the Lumpinee Bantamweight title.[1][2][4]

Saenklai's most significant achievements were his Lumpinee Bantamweight title wins. He earned the title in 1991, but then lost it to Samson Isaan in the same year. He won it again in 1993 and defended it 6 times for the next 18 months. He then won the World Muay Thai Council Junior Featherweight title in 1995. During that year, Saenklai was considered to be one of the most successful Muay Thai fighters in the Kingdom of Thailand. He was noted for his 11-fight rivalry against Samson; Saenklai secured 6 victories against the award-winning pressure fighter.[2]

Saenklai's prime lasted from 1990 to 1996. He was one of the most significant fighters at the 115 to 118 lbs (52.16 – 53.52 kg) weight divisions during the golden era of Muay Thai. His highest purse reached ฿250,000 (equivalent to ฿472,298 in 2020).[2] 1993 was the best year of his combat sports career. During that time, Saenklai accumulated 9 wins against elite fighters and had only 2 losses.[5]

Saenklai retired after being knocked out by Jaoweha Looktapfah on October 12, 1997. His victories against Veeraphol Sahaprom, Silapathai Jockygym, Taweesaklek Ploysakda, and Anantasak Panyuthaphum were considered his best fights. He was matched up against Kaensak Sor.Ploenjit but they did not fight. Saenklai cited Veeraphol to be the most difficult opponent he ever faced. He would go on to run a family business in his hometown of Bua Yai. He trained some Muay Thai fighters when he was able.[2]

In the time leading up to his death, tuberculosis almost killed Saenklai but he was saved by his doctor in Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital. He was then sent to Bua Yai Hospital for further treatment and was later sent back home to recover. On December 15, 2019, Saenklai passed away in his home in Bua Yai from tuberculosis complications at the age of 46.[6]