Apisak Rongpichai (; born November 17, 1981), known professionally as Anuwat Kaewsamrit (), is a Thai former professional Muay Thai fighter. He is a one-time Lumpinee Stadium champion and four-time Rajadamnern Stadium champion across four divisions, as well as the 2003 and 2004 Sports Writers Association of Thailand Fighter of the Year, who was famous in the 1990s and 2000s. Nicknamed "The Iron Hands of Siam", he was known for his powerful and technical punching ability. Now he's currently the head coach of Impax Academy Thailand.
Biography
Early life
Anuwat Kaewsamrit was born as Apisak Rongpichai in Nakhon Si Thammarat province in the south of Thailand on November 17, 1981. At the age of 13, he went to Bangkok to stay with a friend, who was training at the newly formed Kaewsamrit camp. At first, Anuwat was a gym assistant, but decided to join the gym as a trainee. After his first 6 month training period, he had his first fight at the age of 14 in Pattaya.
On October 31, 1998, when he was 17 years old, he had his first foreign bout against Hinari Fukatsu who was the current Japanese national champion of SNKA at flyweight in Japan. He knocked down Fukatsu twice in the 4th round and twice in 5th round. The referee stopped the bout at the second knock down in 5th round.深津飛成 vs アヌワット・ゲオムサリット Hinari Fukatsu vs Anuwat Kaewsamrit BoutReview.com Retrieved: July 13, 2010.
Winning national titles
Two years later, after 35 fights, he the got chance to fight for his first stadium title. On November 18, 1998, Anuwat knocked out Klangsuan Sasiprapa Gym in the 4th round and he won the Rajadamnern Stadium title at Mini flyweight (105 lb, 47.727 kg).
On June 10, 1999, he won his second title by beating Kayasit Sakmuangklaeng for the Rajadamnern Stadium title at Junior flyweight. Anuwat's reputation grew, and he made a name for himself as a fighter who had the ability to come from behind to snatch the victory, usually by way of his devastating punches.
On February 2, 2000, Anuwat won his 3rd title in his career, beating Prakaipetch Kiatpailin to take the Rajadamnern Stadium title at Junior bantamweight.
On May 6, 2005, Anuwat fought against Nopparat Keatkhamtorn who was the current champion of Lumpinee Stadium at Featherweight to unify the titles. He knocked out Nopparat with a right cross in the 1st round, and won the Lumpinee Stadium title, becoming the unified champion of Rajadamnern Stadium and Lumpinee Stadium at featherweight. He was the first to do so in the history of Thailand.
On October 29, 2005, Anuwat fought against Riki Onodera who was the featherweight champion of Japan in Japan for Onodera's retirement bout. He knocked down Onodera at the end of 1st round with a right elbow strike. In the 2nd round, he knocked down Onodera twice, once with a left hook and once with a right low kick, and the referee stopped the bout when Anuwat knocked down Onodera at 3rd time with a right hook.(レポ&写真) [新日本キック] 10.29 大田：小野寺引退。武田が総合!? (Reports&Photos) [SNKA] Ota: Onodera gets retired. Takeda challenges MMA!? BoutReview.com Retrieved: July 13, 2010.
Winning world titles
In 2005, World Boxing Council (WBC) established new championships of Muay Thai and Anuwat was offered for its title. He fought against Singtongnoi Por.Telakun for the vacant first WBC Muay Thai title at featherweight on October 19, 2006. He won his first world title in his career with TKO in 3rd round.
On August 22, 2008, he fought against Santipab Sit. Au. Ubon at Lumpinee Stadium for the vacant title of WPMF World featherweight title. He won by split decision at 5R.
On March 1, 2009, he had a defending match against Shunta from Japan for WPMF World Featherweight title in the event of "M.I.D Japan presents M-1 Fairtex Muay Thai Challenge 2009 Yod Nak Suu vol.1". He knocked down Shunta with a left hook in the 1st round and the referee stopped the bout when Anuwat knocked down Shunta with a right hook.アヌワット、駿太を1R葬。増田、WPMF獲得 Anuwat beats Shunta in 1R. Masuda wins WPMF title. BoutReview.com Retrieved: July 13, 2010.
On June 26, in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Anuwat challenged Liam Harrison's WMC World Lightweight title, and won by TKO of the third round with right low kicks.
On July 11, 2010, in Ariake, Tokyo, Anuwat was scheduled to defend his WPMF Featherweight title against Shin Saenchigym from Japan. He scored a knockout with a right cross in 5th round, retaining his title.アヌワット、心・センチャイジムに5R KO勝ち：7.11 有明 BoutReview.com Retrieved: July 13, 2010.
Titles and accomplishments
Rajadamnern Stadium 1998 Rajadamnern Mini Flyweight (105 lbs) Champion 1999 Rajadamnern Light Flyweight (108 lbs) Champion 1999 Rajadamnern Super Flyweight (115 lbs) Champion 2003 Rajadamnern Featherweight (126 lbs) Champion Two successful title defenses 2004 Rajadamnern Stadium Fighter of the Year 2004 Rajadamnern Stadium Fight of the Year (vs. Seanchernglak Jirakrengkrai) 2010 Rajadamnern Super Featherweight (130 lbs) Champion
World Muaythai Council 2009 WMC World Lightweight (135 lbs) Champion
Lumpinee Stadium 2005 Lumpinee Featherweight (126 lbs) Champion
Onesongchai Promotion S1 World Featherweight (126 lbs) Champion
World Professional Muaythai Federation 2008 WPMF World Featherweight (126 lbs) Champion
World Boxing Council MuayThai 2006 WBC MuayThai World Featherweight (126 lbs) Champion
Omnoi Stadium 2004 Omnoi Stadium Super Bantamweight (126 lbs) Champion 2004 14th Isuzu Cup Tournament Winner
Awards
2005 Sports Authority of Thailand Fighter of the Year 2004 Sports Authority of Thailand Fighter of the Year 2004 Sports Writers Association of Thailand Fight of the Year (vs Singdam Kiatmuu9) 2004 Sports Writers Association of Thailand Fighter of the Year 2003 Sports Writers Association of Thailand Fighter of the Year
Fight record
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 2010-10-03 || Loss ||align=left| Kan Itabashi || KGS "RISE 71" || Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan || Decision (Unanimous) || 4(Ex.1) || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 2010-07-11 || Win ||align=left| Shin Saenchaigym || NJKF "Muay Thai Open 12" || Kōtō, Tokyo, Japan || KO (Right cross) || 5 || 0:33 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 2010-07-03 || Loss ||align=left| Kurt Finlayson || Detonation 7 || Australia || Decision (Split) || 5 || 3:00 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 2010-05-29 || Loss ||align=left| Sergio Wielzen || Muaythai event in Geneva (135lbs) || Geneva, Switzerland || KO (Right high kick) || 1 || 0:30
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 2010-03-27 || Loss ||align=left| Liam Harrison || MSA Muaythai Premier League (140lbs) || Manchester, England || Decision (Unanimous) || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 2010-03-01 || Win ||align=left| Kompayak Beemdesign || Daorungchujaroen Fights, Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision (Unanimous)|| 5 || 3:00 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 2010-01-30 || Loss ||align=left| Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong || La Nuit Des Titans || Tours, France || Decision (Unanimous) || 3 || 3:00 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 2010-01-30 || Win ||align=left| Houcine Bennoui || La Nuit Des Titans || Tours, France || Decision (Unanimous) || 3 || 3:00
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 2009-11-29 || Loss ||align=left| Mohammed Khamal || SLAMM "Nederland vs Thailand VI" || Almere, Netherlands || Decision (Unanimous) || 5 || 3:00 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 2009-11-06 || Loss ||align=left| Yodsuper Purnrattana || Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 2009-10-12 || Win ||align=left| Wuttidet Lukprabat || Muaythai Open 9: Road to Real King XIII || Japan || KO (Right punch) || 3 ||
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 2009-10-01 || Loss ||align=left| Mongkonchai Petsuphapan || Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 2009-08-31 || Win ||align=left| Fahmai Skindewgym || Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || TKO || 5 ||
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 2009-06-26 || Win ||align=left| Liam Harrison || Champions of Champions 2 || Montego Bay, Jamaica || TKO (Right low kicks) || 3 || 0:35 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 2009-04-30 || Loss ||align=left| Sagetdao Petpayathai || Daorungchujarean Fights, Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 2009-03-26 || Win ||align=left| Kamel Jemel || Les Stars du Ring 2009 || Levallois-Perret, France || KO (Body shot) || 1 ||
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 2009-02-12 || Win ||align=left| Kompayak Beemdesign || Jarummueang Fights, Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 2009-03-01 || Win ||align=left| Shunta || M-1 Fairtex Muay Thai 2009 "Yod Nak Suu vol.1" || Japan || TKO (Right hook) || 1 || 2:05 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 2008-11-30 || Loss ||align=left| Mosab Amrani || SLAMM "Nederland vs Thailand V" || Almere, Netherlands || TKO (Doctor stoppage/cut) || 4 || 1:52 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 2008-10-02 || Win ||align=left| Phet-Ek Sitjaopho || Daorungchujarean, Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || KO || 3 ||
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 2008-08-22 || Win ||align=left| Santipab Sit. Au. Ubon || Eminent Air, Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision (Split) || 5 || 3:00 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 2008-07-31 || Loss ||align=left| Jomthong Chuwattana || Daorungchujarern, Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision (Unanimous) || 5 || 3:00 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 2008-06-12 || Win ||align=left| Imran Khan || || Levallois-Perret, France || Decision (Unanimous) || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 2008-05-01 || Win ||align=left| Phandin Sor Damrongrit || Daorungchujarern, Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || TKO || 3 ||
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 2008-03-31 || Loss ||align=left| Chok Eminentair || Daorungchujarern, Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#c5d2ea;" | 2008-03-03 || Draw ||align=left| Hassan Ait Bassou || SLAMM "Nederland vs Thailand IV" (140lbs) || Almere, Netherlands || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 2008-01-24 || Win ||align=left| Phetasawin Seatranferry || Daorungchujarern, Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 2007-12-20 || Loss ||align=left| Lerdsila Chumpairtour || Daorungchujarern, Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 2007-10-27 || Win ||align=left| Mustapha Benshimed || One Night in Bangkok || Antwerp, Belgium || KO || ||
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 2007-08-24 || Loss ||align=left| Nong-O Sit.Or || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 2007-08-02 || Win ||align=left| Traijak Sitjomtrai || Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 2007-07-05 || Win ||align=left| Chalermdet Sor.Tawanrung || Daowrungchujarern, Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 2007-05-19 || Loss||align=left| Phet-Ek Sitjaopho || Omnoi Stadium || Samut Sakhon, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 2007-05-06 || Win ||align=left| Hassan Ait Bassou || SLAMM "Nederland vs Thailand III" (137lbs) || Haarlem, Netherlands || KO (Right hook) || 2 || 1:04
|- style="background:#cfc;"