Tappaya Sit Or, or Mit Klinmee, is a former Rajadamnern and WMC champion with past rankings at Lumpini and Channel 7. Tappaya is currently retired from competition and runs the eponymous Sor Klinmee Gym in Pattaya, Thailand.
Fight career and early life
Tappaya is the youngest of 11 children and began training and fighting regularly at the age of 6 along with his brother, Yokthai Sit Or, and nephew, Rambaa Somdet. The three would train before and after school. In the evenings, they would compete in a local bar for tips. Tappaya was fighting in Bangkok by age 12. The three moved from Petlungleung gym in Pattaya to join the original Sit Or camp in Pattaya at its founding and were the first name fighters produced by the gym. Sit Or has since moved to Bangkok and been home to such fighters as Nong-O Sit-Or and Petchmankong Petfergus. Yokthai Sit Or became Lumpini champion and WBA champion under international boxing rules at 52.5 kg. Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee, WKN champion, and Rambaa Somdet, Shootoflyweight champion in Japan, are nephews of the two brothers. Sudsakorn fights out of Sor Klinmee Gym, as does Yokthai's son, Thepprasit champion Fasai Sor Klinmee.
Championships and Rankings
In 1997, he challenged and defeated Ankandet BaoBaoin for the 61.5 kg Rajadamnern belt. The bout was televised on Channel 5 in Thailand. Tappaya would hold the Rajadamnern belt for three consecutive years. Also in 1997, on August 10, he would win the WMC belt from Panmongkon Carryboy at 61.5 kg. He was ranked first at Lumpini Stadium, though he did not win the belt there. Tappaya became a high-profile fighter on Channel 7 during this time. He ended his career with a record of 200 wins, 36 losses, and five draws, with a Rajadamnern and WMC belt at 61.5 kg, and a no.1 ranking at Lumpini.
Coaching
Toward the end of his fight career, he traveled to China, Japan, and The United Kingdom to teach and compete in Muay Thai. He fought and defeated Hayato in Japan for Cross Point Gym. He retired in 2001 with plans to open his own gym, which he did in 2009. Tappaya is the owner and acting head trainer of Sor Klinmee Gym in Pattaya on Neung Phap Wan road. Currently, Tappaya has two students regularly competing at the major stadiums in Bangkok. Robert Sor Klinmee is a southpaw fighter competing at 46 kg at Rajadamnern Stadium. Sangpet Sor Klinmee is an orthodox fighter competing at 45.5 kg at Rajadamnern and Lumpini. Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee is the best known active fighter currently out of Sor Klinmee. There are a number of youngerboxers based out of the gym.
