Niwot High student earns Muay Thai black belt

Hunter Bennett, a freshman at Niwot High School, successfully earned his Muay Thai black belt on Nov. 16. He completed ten other belt levels throughout his course of study before testing for the black belt.

Muay Thai is a type of martial arts originating in Thailand that involves striking an opponent with one of eight isolated limbs and works to improve the focus of the mind, body, and soul.

Earning a black belt in Muay Thai is no small task. Bennett explained, "You have to complete three different tests. The first test is a fitness test, the next test is a sparring test, and then finally is the curriculum test. It is a pretty long process."

The fitness test consists of completing 100 push-ups in three minutes, 100 sit-ups in three minutes,100 kicks into the bag for each foot in a minute, and a three-mile run in 30 minutes.

For the sparring test, the person hoping to earn a black belt must spar, or exchange blows with an opponent, for 10 minutes straight. However, at each minute mark, a fresh opponent gets subbed in to keep the challenge high for the person being tested.

Finally, the curriculum test is based on all combinations, movements, and forms that the candidate has learned throughout the other belt levels.

Bennett has been studying Muay Thai on and off for ten years at the encouragement of his mother, Catherine McHale, who owns and operates Power & Purpose Marketing in Niwot. McHale said, "I am super proud of him. He has shown he can persevere and he has really grown in strength and maturity as well. It has been such a great experience for him."

McHale continued, "I completed my black belt at the same place in 2017, so we are now a two-black belt family. We really enjoy doing this together."

Bennett studies at Haystack Muay Thai & Kickboxing Academy, located at 201 Murray Street, under Kru Scott Meier, the founder and head instructor. According to the website, Meier "developed the Haystack program to incorporate the best features of different martial arts into a well-rounded curriculum that emphasizes self-defense, physical fitness and personal growth." There are class offerings for various age groups and skill levels.

Bennett suggests, "No matter what, you can do Muay Thai mainly for enjoyment, but if you enjoy it enough, you will keep working and eventually make it."