Chavalit Duangpattra, father of the 10-year-old "Nong Guy", the youngest Black Mask member, said his son has been training with the group for two years and he is impressed with the teaching quality of Maj Gen Chatchai and other rotating volunteer assistants who are all accomplished and experienced athletes.
He said Nong Guy is not only taught on fencing, but also on manners and discipline, resulting in Nong Guy being more confident.
"Everyone who teaches here have a very dedicated and noble heart as they do not demand any fee at all. They just want the children to learn something. We are like a family with each of the teachers taking care of the students as if they were their own kids. I wouldn't be able to find this from any other classes," said Maj Gen Chavalit.
Nong Guy has competed in a youth fencing event in Hong Kong. Although he did not win any prize, he has gained a valuable experience and has become more diligent in training since coming back, said his father.
Yanapard Rattanangkool said she decided to have her daughter "Nong Mook" start fencing training at an age of eight when she was suffering from asthma. The trainers had Nong Mook hold a chopstick instead of a fencing weapon as they feared her tendons and muscles were not ready.
"Back then she was having asthma. Now she has been training fencing for five years and is in a great health. Although Nong Mook is a very small girl, she is strong and has firm muscles. She rarely gets sick any more," said Yanapard.
Pemiga Kemarattana or "Nong Pei" is a 14-year-old student who has trained fencing with the Black Mask for four months. The determined Pemiga and her younger sister personally asked Maj Gen Chatchai to take them in.
Pemiga, who has recently won a silver medal from a youth tournament, said fencing is a sport that she enjoys as she always feels that she has a chance to win the bout if she has the techniques and the efforts.
Training indeed requires some efforts for Pemiga who has to travel from Bang Poo, Samut Prakarn, to the training area in the middle of Bangkok. With a lot of training and a strong will, Pemiga is preparing to enter the next tournament and win a gold medal. When that happens, her dream will come true as she will be allowed to shake the hand of the Master of the Black Mask.
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