MEET your coaches
Panyapol (Bruce) Ratanakul-Owner, Managing Director, and Head Coach
Chonburi Muay Thai (CMT) was founded by Panyapol (Bruce) Ratanakul. Kru Bruce was born in Thailand, where he began training at the age of nine. Kru Bruce has a record of 22 wins-11 losses throughout his fight career. Training under both Ajarn Petchpayao (2-time Thailand coach of the year) and Kru Kongnapa Watcharawit (Rajadamnern champ at four different weight classes), Kru Bruce received additional combat training as a proud member of the U.S. Army. Upon discharge, he returned to his true passion: teaching and being an ambassador of Muay Thai in the United States.
Kru Bruce continues his mission of expanding this art in America by coaching students at all levels, amateur and professional fighters, and working with promotions that include the UFC, Bellator and One Championship. To date, Kru Bruce has coached over 400 fights, bringing traditional Muay Thai to countless communities. Bruce maintains an active role at the gym and he can still be found teaching Beginner, Intermediate, and Youth Muay Thai classes.
David Khamhuang- 2x Tennessee IKF Heavyweight Champion
David has been training under Kru Bruce for twelve years. For over a decade, David has not stopped his pursuit of improvement and he continues to show up both as a student and coach during several weekly classes. His patience and strength are resources that training partners find valuable, as well as his effective and playful communication style.
Sarah London - 2021 TBA CLASSIC CHAMPION
Sarah began her Muay Thai training under Kru Bruce at Chonburi in 2017 after retiring from professional ballet. That background contributed to the development of Sarah’s technical fighting style and her keen eye for form when coaching. Sarah continues to have an active fighting career with victories that include winning the 2021 TBA Classic Championship.
Ron Nguyen
Ron began training at Chonburi over a decade ago. Drawing on his own experience, Ron enjoys teaching the Beginner class, focusing particularly on the clinch and boxing techniques. Ron has the ability to push his students while simultaneously offering a friendly and encouraging smile.
Marcos Andres - 2022 TBA CLASSIC CHAMPION
Training under Kru Bruce for over ten years, Marcos earned the TBA Muay Thai Championship in 2022. Marcos is naturally friendly, making everyone at the gym feel welcome. Each person in his class feels a personal connection and attention.
Jason Campbell - 2022 TBA CLASSIC & ISKA CRUISER-WEIGHT CHAMPION
Over the past eight years, Jason has been training at Chonburi Muay Thai. He is a stoic, fierce fighter who leads more through actions rather than words. Jason has an encouraging style and students know that he would not ask from them anything that he was not willing to do.
Zach DeJesus
Zach has been in the world of Martial Arts for the past 28 years, attaining a 3rd-degree black belt in Kenpo. Zach has a natural gift for teaching kids and can connect in a way that increases confidence, comfort, and safety.
Michael Nawrocki
Michael has been training at Chonburi for over four years. Like many Thai fighters, Michael segued his soccer prowess and excellent footwork into Muay Thai. Today, Michael teaches Beginner and HIIT Heavy Bag classes, building on fighter frameworks such as endurance and fundamentals. Michael specializes in clinch and knees.
Damontez (DC) Cox - 2025 IKF MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION
D.C. continued training Muay Thai when he moved in 2020 and he has been at CMT since. D.C. is positive and playful, holding the same expectation for others that he has for himself. He says simply, “If you never fail, you’ll never know what success feels like.”
Leema Islam - 2026 TBA CLASSIC CHAMPION
Leema has been training at Chonburi Muay Thai since 2022. As her skills and confidence grew, Leema looked for new challenges in, first, competition and, later, coaching. Leema's development culminated in her recently becoming a TBA 2026 Classic Champion. Through this process, Leema learned that fighting affects all aspects of life and she models a comprehensive approach to Muay Thai, concentrating on the physical, mental, and professional aspects which are outgrowths of consistency, discipline, and purpose.
DeVauntae Ramey - 2025 TBA CLASSIC CHAMPION
Devauntae, also known by his fight name ‘Supertae,’ has been training at Chonburi Muay Thai since 2021. Known for his love of the clinch game, Supertae continues to sharpen his skills through training and competition. Each fight deepens his passion for the sport, informing his coaching and benefitting all of his training partners. A standard that begins with himself, Devauntae expects discipline and strong technique from his students while also helping develop confidence and sharing the traditions and authenticity of CBMT’s style of Muay Thai.
Michael Cherry - 2024 INDIANA LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION
With six years of Muay Thai experience, Michael still shows up with intensity and a smile to every class. Michael is an experienced fighter who enjoys spending time in the gym and helping others grow in the sport. A student can expect to be challenged in a fun atmosphere, which keeps a dedicated contingent coming back to his HIIT bag classes.
Samantha Clemens
Samantha (Sam) began her martial arts journey at age 35. After three years of experience, Sam found Chonburi Muay Thai and has remained a dedicated student for the past five years. As an exemplar of “it’s never too late,” Sam demonstrates that age is just a number, as she has competed at the national level and now enjoys mentoring beginner students and teaching HIIT bag classes.