Nokweed Devy
Three-division Rajadamnern champion and feared kicker.
Wichit Somboon, known as Nokweed Devy, was a Thai Muay Thai fighter and trainer born August 19, 1965, who died August 31, 2016. A three-division Rajadamnern Stadium champion in the 1980s and 1990s, his nickname was the "Chest-Shaking Master of Kicks." He is widely considered one of Muay Thai's most powerful kickers ever.
Quick Facts
- Birth name
- Desh Sriampai (เดช ศรีอำไพ)
- Born
- August 19, 1965
- Birthplace
- Lang Suan, Chumphon, Thailand
- Died
- August 31, 2016 (age 51)
- Place of death
- Ko Samui, Surat Thani, Thailand
- Nickname
- Chest-Shaking Master of Kicks (จอมเตะทรวงสะท้าน)
- Height
- 177 cm / 5 ft 10 in
- Style
- Muay Thai (Muay Tae)
Facts from the source article.
Biography & career
Wichit Somboon, known as Chit, was born in Langsuan, Chumphon on August 19, 1965, and grew up in Sichon, Nakhon Si Thammarat. He started Muay Thai training at age 11 under his uncle at the Sak Udom camp. His brothers, Santos Devy and Paidang Lersak Gym, also became Rajadamnern Stadium champions. Nokweed Devy won titles in three weight classes at Rajadamnern, facing top fighters like Sagat Petchyindee, Samingnoom Sitboontam, and Sangtiennoi Sor.Rungroj.
Known as the "Chest-Shaking Master of Kicks," he was considered the hardest kicker of his era. His ring name means "whistle" because his kicks made a whistling sound. He was the main Thai fighter to take on foreign opponents in K-1, including Jérôme Le Banner, Dany Bill, and Paul Slowinski, who later became his student. In his fight with Le Banner, Nokweed weighed 72 kg against Le Banner's 107 kg, a 35 kg difference.
After retiring, he ran a gym on Ko Samui with Lakhin Vasansit. He died suddenly while training on August 31, 2016, at age 51.
Fight record
Nokweed Devy's recorded fights include losses to Quentin Chong by KO (Right Cross) in Cape Town, South Africa for the WMC World title; to Faisal Zakaria by decision at Chaweng Stadium, Ko Samui; and to Paul Slowinski twice, once by KO (High kick) in the fourth round at Chaweng Stadium and once by KO (Punches) in the second round at Kanchanaburi Stadium, Bangkok. He won against David Ismalone by decision at Chaweng Stadium, Ko Samui, with a 500,000 baht side-bet.
He lost to Jayson Vemoa by decision in Auckland, New Zealand, and won against Sam Master (?) by TKO (High Kick) in the second round in New Zealand. He drew with Taro Minato by decision at K-LEAGUE KENZAN in Tokyo, Japan. He lost to Jérôme Le Banner by unanimous decision at K-1 Grand Prix '95 Opening Battle in Tokyo. He won against Stéphane Nikiéma by decision at King's Birthday in Chiang Rai City, Thailand.
He lost to Dany Bill by decision at the Muay Thai World Championships in Honor of His Majesty the King in Bangkok, Thailand, for the IMF World title; the bout was originally a decision win for Nokweed but was overturned five minutes later after a gamblers riot. He lost to Issara Sakgreerin twice, both by decision, once at K-LEAGUE KENZAN in Tokyo and once in Ayutthaya Province. He won against Gerald Zwane by KO (Reverse Elbow) in Bangkok. He lost to Sangtiennoi Sor.Rungroj by decision at Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok.
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