Who was Apidej Sit-Hirun?

Apidej Sit-Hirun (1941-2013) was a Thai Muay Thai fighter, a two-time champion at both Lumpinee and Rajadamnern, famous for his kick and honored as the sport's Fighter of the Century. He later coached for decades.

Why is Apidej Sit-Hirun famous?

For the power of his round kick, which many regard as the hardest in Muay Thai history, and for his titles at both major Bangkok stadiums.

Did Apidej break an opponent's arms?

The story is told in many profiles, but we have not found a contemporary report confirming it, and it should be treated as legend.

When did Apidej Sit-Hirun die?

He died of lung cancer in Bangkok on 4 April 2013, aged 71.

Apidej Sit-Hirun, 1941–2013: Muay Thai’s Fighter of the Century

Apidej Sit-Hirun was a champion at both of Bangkok’s great stadiums, Lumpinee and Rajadamnern, and the owner of what many fighters still call the hardest kick in the history of Muay Thai. King Bhumibol honored him as the sport’s Fighter of the Century, and after he stopped fighting he coached for decades. He died in Bangkok on 4 April 2013, aged 71.

Name: Apidej Sit-Hirun (อภิเดช ศิษย์หิรัญ); also written Apidech Sit Hirun
Born: September 1941, Samut Songkhram, Thailand
Died: 4 April 2013, Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok, aged 71, of lung cancer
Art: Muay Thai; also boxed
Titles: Two-time champion at both Lumpinee and Rajadamnern stadiums
Honor: “Fighter of the Century,” conferred by King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Later career: Senior coach, including many years at Fairtex

The fighter

Apidej began training at eight and took the Sit-Hirun camp name in 1957. Over a career that ran from the late 1950s into the 1970s he won titles at both Lumpinee and Rajadamnern, the two stadiums at the center of professional Muay Thai, and also boxed. Published records vary wildly, from 74 wins in Wikipedia to more than 340 in promotional profiles; we give no single figure.

The kick

Apidej’s reputation rests on his round kick. The best-known story, told in nearly every profile of him, is that in a fight in February 1963 his kicks broke both of his opponent’s arms and ended the man’s career. We have not found a contemporary report of that fight, and we treat the detail as part of his legend rather than his record. His kick is still widely regarded as one of the most powerful the sport has seen.

The coach

After he retired, Apidej spent decades as a trainer, including many years as a senior coach at the Fairtex camp. King Bhumibol honored him as the Fighter of the Century, and profiles of him report a statue and a museum display in his honor.

Death

Apidej died of lung cancer at Phramongkutklao Hospital in Bangkok on 4 April 2013, aged 71.

What a school owner should take from Apidej Sit-Hirun

Apidej shows that a signature skill can become a brand. Decades after his last fight, people who never saw him know him for one technique. A school with one thing it does better than anyone else is easier to remember and easier to recommend.

He also shows the value of a second career in teaching. The fighter’s reputation lasted; the coaching made it useful to the next generation.

Quick answers

Who was Apidej Sit-Hirun?: Apidej Sit-Hirun (1941–2013) was a Thai Muay Thai fighter, a two-time champion at both Lumpinee and Rajadamnern, famous for his kick and honored as the sport’s Fighter of the Century. He later coached for decades.
Why is Apidej Sit-Hirun famous?: For the power of his round kick, which many regard as the hardest in Muay Thai history, and for his titles at both major Bangkok stadiums.
Did Apidej break an opponent’s arms?: The story is told in many profiles, but we have not found a contemporary report confirming it, and it should be treated as legend.
When did Apidej Sit-Hirun die?: He died of lung cancer in Bangkok on 4 April 2013, aged 71.

Sources, and what we could not confirm

Sources: the English Wikipedia biography of Apidej Sit-Hirun and the sources it cites; Vice‘s profile of his kick; a profile published by Evolve MMA (labelled promotional); and a Muay Thai culture newsletter.

Conflicts printed rather than smoothed over. His age at death is 71 in Wikipedia and 72 in two other sources; his birth in September 1941 makes him 71. His fight record varies from 74 wins to more than 340. His birth name is given inconsistently in romanized and Thai forms, and we have not printed it.

Not established. The arm-breaking story, the count of champions he coached, and several honors reported only in promotional sources. We were unable to load the Bangkok Post‘s report of his death.

Corrections. See our editorial policy. If you trained under Apidej, we want to hear from you.