About US

World Team USA will teach you about your strengths, how to build your confidence, how to relieve your stress and how to find the discipline to reach your goals. Live your dream!

The Team USA staff goes beyond the call of duty to teach our students the self-respect, confidence, and discipline that we have learned through the practice of martial arts.
We strive for superiority through our unique Muay Thai curriculum which combines a modern approach and traditional values.

Kru Sam Phimsoutham
Owner / Master Instructor

History

Chief Instructor and Owner Kru Sam (Chilaphanh) Phimsoutham is a Thai/Laos trainer whose mother is Laos and whose father was a Thai General. Muay Thai, but more specifically Muay Boran and Lerdrit, run in his family for generations. His father was also a trainer and a referee in Lumpini and his uncle the same. His first lesson in Muay Boran was given to him when he was four years old. He was not a Muay Thai Champion.

He immigrated to the United States at age seven. At the age of 18 Kru Sam then trained under Master Toddy, whose father knew his father, to become a Muay Thai trainer and teacher. Master Toddy taught Kru Sam an unbeatable system of teaching and continued to train him in this manner for 10 years. He also certified him as “Kru.” Because knowing how to fight does not always translate to knowing how to train others, Kru Sam’s innate ability to teach, his Muay Boran and Lerdrit background and certification from Master Toddy are keys to his success.

Kru Sam brought Muay Thai to the Bay Area in 1991. He introduced the sport by fighting black belts in the Bay Area wherever he could. Word quickly spread and interest in the sport was immediately picked up by legends such as Sifu Harlan Lee, Sifu Shane Lacey and the Lozada family. SFPD Officer Paul Lozada gave Kru Sam his first teaching job at a small academy in downtown San Francisco. Kru Sam taught part time for years raising fighters, including Wrath James White, Alex Gong (RIP) and Richard Tan. They obtained most of their experience in gymnasiums.

When Kru Sam opened up Team USA nearly 20 years ago, he raised his second generation of Champions – David Lau, Anthony Badua and John Ellcessor. These Champions were privileged to experience Muay Thai competitions in productions brought by BJohn Promotions, Scott Coker’s Strikeforce and Dennis Warner’s World Championship Muay Thai. In fact Kru Sam, along with Coach Cung Le and Professor Navarros, brought the first “smoker” to the Bay Area in 1995. Today, Kru Sam is on his fourth generation of Champions and the team continues to grow. With the legalization of MMA, Team USA expects to add its ground game and introduce a team of MMA fighters.

For over 2 decades we’ve offered elite Muay Thai training in the San Francisco Bay Area.

We teach Muay Thai and kickboxing through a highly organized curriculum that meets varying needs. We also offer the very best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA training for all levels. There are classes available for men, women and children of all ages and sizes. These training (Muay Thai, BJJ, and MMA), to fitness programs and even to Muay Thai for kids and families.

Find out why we stand out from the rest!

Philosophy

We believe that in order to service our students properly, all instructors must be totally committed to the martial arts.

We wholeheartedly believe that there is no such thing as a superior style of martial arts and no such thing as having the best Muay Thai school. If that were the case, everyone would take only one style of martial art and everyone would be attending only one school. Thus, we offer Muay Thai only to those whose personality, goals and lifestyle fits with Muay Thai at Team USA. We respect every style of martial art in the ring and we offer Kung-Fu as one of two options for Kids.

At Team USA, students learn that through dedication and perseverance, all goals in life are within reach. Students are encouraged to set short, intermediate, and long-term goals. Each level is important for achieving success, not just in the martial arts, but also in everyday life.

We respect that every student has different goals, whether it is to become a World Champion in Muay Thai or just to nurture the mind, body and spirit.

 

We would like to thank you for your interest in our martial arts academy.

Joining us will be one of the most rewarding activities for you or your family.

Through the years, our unique programs have brought about dramatic and positive changes in so many people that we’re always eager for the opportunity to share them with others.

World Team USA

Muay Thai, MMA and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Training gym
San Francisco, CA.