BY ERICA FONTANA
EDITOR JACKSONVILLE PATRIOT
       Though it's hard to pronounce, the Prathet Thai Muay Thai Kickboxing School in Jacksonville is attracting young people who want to be physically competitive. Recently may of those youngsters attended the International Kickboxing Federation tournament in Iowa, and returned with finalist positions and the coveted title belt, putting Jacksonville on the map in the world of kickboxing. "I know what you're thinking, Taekwondo', right?" asked David Oudthone, instructor at the school. "Well, this is different than forms and sparring. This is actual fighting in a ring." "You probably don't hear much about kickboxing in Arkansas because no one has made a claim for it. For the past year I have been trying to promote kickboxing and had some success," said Oudthone. He started holding classes at the Jacksonville Community Center, and soon had a following. He then opened his own school so he could concentrate on teaching Muay Thai to his students. The school has been recognized by organizations including the International Kickboxing Federation and is the only school with the Junior Full Contact Rule Champion Matt Puckett, a 15-year old who brought home the title belt from the competition in Cedar Rapids. Joining Puckett in the competition in Iowa were his children, Kayla Oudthone, 13, Allie Oudthone, 10 and Jonathan Oudthone, 15. "We are trying to make our community proud and are starting with our junior fighter," Oudthone noted. Prathet Thai means 'Kingdom of Thailand' and Muay Thai means 'kickboxing'. "To learn the true art of Muay Thai, you must learn the history and it's traditions," said Oudthone. Aside from competitive training, Oudthone also offers stand up and ground fighting techniques, great for  women and children who want to learn self-defense.