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World & Nation

Muay Thai boxer

Pheearanut Saleephol, 14, spars against his trainer, Jamlong Jaipakdee,50, at the Sor. Pullsawas Gym in Bangkok, Thailand on Monday April 8, 2019. Thai Boxing, locally known as Muay Thai, is considered to be the national sport of Thailand, with children as young as 8 years old competing professionally. In recent years, allowing children under the age of 15 to compete has become controversial due to potential health risks. Pheearanut has been boxing since age 12. His adoptive father and grandfather boxed professionally in their youth and he decided to follow in their footsteps. Photo by Lauren DeCicca

Pheeranut Saleephol, 14, spars with his trainer, Jamlong Jaipakdee, 50, at a Bangkok gym. Thai boxing, known as Muay Thai, is considered to be the national sport of Thailand, with children as young as 8 competing professionally. Pheeranut has been boxing since he was 11.  (Lauren DeCicca / For The Times)

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Pheeranut Saleephol, 14, trains as a Muay Thai boxer at an outdoor gym in Bangkok. Pheeranut took the nickname Sua Yim Yak, or “the tiger that doesn’t smile.”

Muay Thai boxer

Tapanat Thaisamran watches as his son Pheeranut Saleephol trains.  (Lauren DeCicca / For The Times)

Muay Thai boxer

Pheeranut spars with his trainer, Jamlong Jaipakdee.
  (Lauren DeCicca / For The Times)

Muay Thai boxer

Pheeranut lifts weights after his boxing routine.
  (Lauren DeCicca/ For The Times )

Muay Thai boxer

Pheeranut warms up for his workout.  (Lauren DeCicca / For The Times)

Muay Thai boxer

Pheeranut cools down after a workout.
  (Lauren DeCicca / For The Times)

Muay Thai boxer

Pheeranut and his mother, Aoy Chumsri, in their Bangkok home.
  (Lauren DeCicca / For The Times)

Muay Thai boxer

Pheeranut’s father, Tapanat Thaisamran, gets ready for work.  (Lauren DeCicca / For The Times)

Muay Thai boxer

Pheeranut and trainer Jamlong Jaipakdee settle in to their dorm room before a big match at a Muay Thai stadium in Pattaya, Thailand.  (Lauren DeCicca / For The Times )

Muay Thai boxer

Pheeranut weighs in before his April match in Pattaya.  (Lauren DeCicca / For The Times )

Muay Thai boxer

Pheeranut prepares before the match in Pattaya.
  (Lauren DeCicca /For The Times )

Muay Thai boxer

Pheeranut battles his opponent at the Pattaya stadium.
  (Lauren DeCicca / For The Times)

Muay Thai boxer

Tapanat Thaisamran watches son Pheeranut’s match.  (Lauren DeCicca / For The Times)

Muay Thai boxer

Pheeranut rests in his corner after the first round of his match.
  (Lauren DeCicca / For The Times)

Muay Thai boxer

Pheeranut celebrates his victory in the Pattaya stadium.
  (Lauren DeCicca / For The Times)

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