KRU ALBERT MALATAMBAN

Kru Albert started martial arts at the age of 12 in 1972. He studied Shotokan Karate under Sensei Abe Belardo, reaching the rank of Nidan, 2nd Degree Black Belt. While serving in the US Marine Corps 1978-1990, he was introduced to Muay Thai and has been practicing and learning ever since.

He started teaching and training fighters in 1998. He has been the Chief Muay Thai Instructor at SLO Kickboxing and the Budo Ryu, and now his own Elite Muay Thai Academy.

Kru Albert has trained several North American, California and Regional Champions and #1 ranked amateur fighters.

He is also a member of the IKF (International Kickboxing Federation) California Muay Thai Advisory Board.

CHRIS LOVATO

Head Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Instructor/Owner Paragan Bjj-SLO

Chris Lovato is a Paragon black belt under Franjinha Miller (bio here) and holds numerous competition titles in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.   His grappling experience began with more than 15 years of wrestling at the high school and collegiate level and has state titles in freestyle and Greco roman wrestling.  From 1989 to 1994 he coached high school and junior high school wrestling with a number of his students placing the California State Championships.

In 1995 Chris began training both Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Judo.  He spent 5 years training and competing in Judo and earned his Judo Black Belt in 1997 from Mario Rubio of Five Cities Judo in Arroyo Grande.

Chris has been training and competing in BJJ and submission wrestling for more than 18 years. Chris’ classes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu incorporate both wrestling and judo into the BJJ curriculum.

JULIA "JEWELS" PEREZ

Jewels has been training at Elite Muay Thai since 2013. She studied American Freestyle Karate before discovering Muay Thai. She is a veteran of over 15 amateur Muay Thai bouts, including 6 Championships. When she is not training for up coming fights, she teaches classes at our Atascadero facility.

HYUN-GYU WRIGHT

Hyun started training in boxing at age 16. After the passing of his boxing trainer, he discovered Muay Thai at 17 at Elite Muay Thai. After moving to Louisiana for a brief time, Hyun returned to San Luis Obispo to continue his training in Muay Thai. He is an active amateur fighter. He teaches at our SLO and Atascadero facility. Hyun also assist in preparing fighters for up coming bouts. 

TONY "TIGGER" SANTOS

Coach Tony has been training with Kru Albert since 2013. Prior to training in Thai Boxing, he trained in American Freestyle Karate. He has 6 fights as an amateur. He has great attention to detail and great technique. Tony teaches at our Atascadero Facility both Kids and Adult classes. He has also started to train selected team members, preparing them for fights.

NICK RENARDO

Coach Nick Renardo has been practicing Martial Arts for over 25 years. He holds a Brown Belt in Kung Fu San Soo and has been training in both Gi and No Gi Jiu Jitsu for 10 years. He started training with Kru Albert in 2009 and started to compete shortly after. He retired from 2011 from competition with an amateur record of 8-0 and the Southern California Thai Boxing Inc Middleweight title.

Coach Nick is the Head Muay Thai Instructor at the Elite Muay Thai Academy Santa Maria "Bloodline" facility.

TAYLOR ODENWALD

Taylor has been training in Muay Thai for over 6 years. He has fought in the "Songkran" Thai New Years celebration in Los Angeles. He has been teaching in our North County facility for over 4 years.