Mark Castagnini is one of the key players in Australian Thai boxing. Beginning his career as a fighter, he went through traditional martial arts before taking up Thai boxing almost by accident and discovering that it bought him to the ultimate test of his training. From there, he has been involved with developing and disseminating the sport at every level, editing International Kickboxer Magazine, working as a commentator alongside Michael Schiavello on Foxsports, promoting events and running his own martial arts academy, Hammer’s Gym. Mark spends a little time telling us about his passion for the sport, what its Australian roots are and the directions the branches are moving in. Continue reading
Archive for Hammer’s Gym
Mark ‘The Hammer’ Castagnini
Posted in Journalism, Kickboxing, Real Men with tags 'John' Wayne Parr, Amsterdam, Belgium, Blitz Magazine, Bob Jones Corporation, Daniel Dawson, Dave Hedgecock, Eddie Emin, Elite Boxing Thailand, Evolution, Foxsports, Glory Live, Hammer's Gym, Ian Jacobs, International Kickboxer Magazine, John Scida, Kyokushin karate, Mark Castagnini, Mark Pease, Mas Oyama, Michael Schiavello, MMA, Muay Thai, Nick Kara, Nugget, Pattaya, Paul Briggs, Paul Danaludi, Paul Demicoli, Ring Talk, Romolo 'The Wild Samoan' Pio, Sean Steinford, Silvio Morelli, Sityodtong, Stan 'The Man' Longinides, Steve Nedelkos, The Plus Factor, Tosca Petrides, Uchi Deshi, UFC, Vital Karate on January 17, 2013 by Jarrod BoyleFull Thai: Tommy Murray
Posted in Journalism, Kickboxing with tags Boonchu Gym, Crossfit, Full Contact Fitness, GV Martial Arts, Hammer's Gym, Invictus, Matt Reid, Sanchai, Ultimate Kickboxing, Warrior's Way on December 14, 2011 by Jarrod BoyleInternational Kickboxer Magazine, November/December 2011
Tommy Murray is that rarity; a Victorian fighter who specialises in Full Thai Rules. He holds a swag of titles, among them a couple of WMC belts. His biggest challenge-to-date will be when he fights Ben Mahoney in front of a home-town crowd in Shepparton, Victoria on September 10. Mahoney will be representing JWP’s Boonchu gym, possibly the most venerated Thaiboxing gym in the nation. Tommy gives JARROD BOYLE the rundown in the last days before the fight of his life. Continue reading
Slowinski's Perfect Training
Posted in Journalism, Kickboxing with tags Ernesto Hoost, Hammer's Gym, Paul Slowinski on September 8, 2010 by Jarrod BoyleInternational Kickboxer Magazine, Vol.17, No.1
Paul Slowinski is a more complete and successful heavyweight fighter than any other our region has produced. He has been a world Muay Thai Champion who trained extensively in Thailand and, in the last few years, has been taken under the wing of the most successful champion in K1 history, Ernesto Hoost. On Saturday February 18, a group of students at Melbourne’s best new gym, Hammer’s Gym in Blackburn, got the opportunity to find out what makes a champion when Paul taught a seminar. We got a chance to see what Hoost has been putting him through, but also got the opportunity to measure up against Australia’s best heavyweight. Continue reading

