Nokweed Devy

Wichit Somboon, known professionally as Nokweed Devy, was a Thai Muay Thai fighter and trainer. He was a three-division Rajadamnern Stadium champion who was famous in the 1980s and 1990s. Nicknamed the "Chest-Shaking Master of Kicks", he is often regarded as one of the most powerful kickers in the history of Muay Thai.

Biography & career

Wichit Somboon was born on August 19, 1965 in Langsuan, Chumphon but was raised in Sichon, Nakhon Si Thammarat in Thailand. He began training in Muay Thai at 11 years old under the guidance of his uncle at the Sak Udom camp. His younger brothers, Santos Devy and Paidang Lersak Gym, would also become Rajadamnern Stadium champions.
He won titles in three divisions at Rajadamnern Stadium while facing many notable fighters including Sagat Petchyindee, Samingnoom Sitboontam, Krongsak Sakkasem, Jomwo Chernyim, Wanpadej Phukrongfah, Sangtiennoi [Sor.Rungroj], Issara Sakgreerin, Mungkorndum Sitchang, and Praedam Lukphrabath.
Nokweed was a heavy kick fighter, he was named the heaviest kick fighter of his era. He was also the primary Thai fighter who faced foreign fighters in K-1 matches, such as Jayson Vemoa, Jérôme Le Banner, Dany Bill, Faisal Zakaria, Stéphane Nikiéma, Paul Slowinski and Jeff Ortzow, etc. His ring name "Nokweed" means "whistle" because when he kicked it made a whistling sound.
When he fought Jérôme Le Banner he weighed 72 kg while Jérôme weighed 107 kg, a 35 kg difference.

Retirement & death

After retirement, he became a trainer and had a Muay Thai gym with his fellow southern fighter, Lakhin Vasansit at Ko Samui, Surat Thani province.
Paidang and Nokkweed's gym was taken over by Punch it Switzerland 10 months after his death and has been run as since July 2017.
He died suddenly while training Muay Thai on the evening of August 31, 2016 at his gym, aged 51.

Titles & honours

Rajadamnern Stadium

* 1984 Rajadamnern Super Bantamweight (122 lbs) Champion
* 1985 Rajadamnern Featherweight (126 lbs) Champion
* 1985 Rajadamnern Super Featherweight (130 lbs) ChampionWorld Muay Thai Council
* WMC World Welterweight ChampionRegional
* South Thailand ChampionAwards
* 1991 Sports Writers Association of Thailand Fight of the Year

Fight record