David Pennimpede: Young, Tempered, and Carving out his Career

In the Muay Thai world careers are not known for lasting monumental stretches of time. Many people retire in their mid 30’s, and when you hear about someone retiring in their 40’s it’s remarkable. With that in mind, the best way to get the most out of a fighting career is most likely to start young. How young? That is arbitrary of course, but recently we have had the pleasure to have a Q&A session with NSW Fighter David Pennimpede – who holds a respectable fight record of 18F 13W – 4L – 1D- 3KO. For those of you unaware, that is one fight for every year he has been alive!

Dave is a tough as nails, yet sensible, hard training young fighter with his head on straight. He brings with him a humble, yet ambitious attitude toward being a fighter. He brings more than enough to the table to sew deep seeds of envy in “geriatric” fighters at the age of 30.

Having just come off an amazing performance in Victoria on Nexus Fight Show, Dave showed the crowd he was there for business. Taking on a 4 man eliminator against some of Australia’s toughest and most experienced fighters. David went into the semi-final against an opponent with over 40 fights, winning himself the spot in the final. The final was against Muay Thai Veteran Kim Olsen, who is one tough customer. David went to war with Olsen and put on an amazing performance. He came away with a points loss, but won the respect and admiration of everyone there that night.

So without further adieu, let’s cut to the chase so you can get to know him, how he trains, and what he’s sacrificed in the name of sport all for yourself.

NRF: How old were you when you first began training, and how did you know this was the path for you?

D.P: I was probably about 10 years old when I first started training. My mum started me up at a local Kickboxing gym for self defence and fitness. But it wasn’t until I moved to a small town in South Australia called Whyalla, that I found Muay Thai and that was when I fell in love with the sport and it’s where it all started. I knew that I loved training but it wasn’t until I had my first fight that I realised that this is what I want to be doing!

NRF: How old are you now, and how has your training changed?

D.P: I am now 18 years old.. When I first started fighting the amount of training picked up, more pads, sparring, clinching, road running, I have also recently added strength and conditioning into my training, sprint work and a supplement program to get the most out of my training, I also do boxing sparring with different boxers both professional and amateur most Saturdays.

NRF: How has training changed your life?

D.P: Training and fighting has changed my life in so many ways, what I do, how I think, what I eat and drink, even the people I associate with. I barely go out, no girlfriends allowed haha.. these are just some of the sacrifices that are needed and am willing to make if it’s going to help me succeed in the sport!

NRF: Who are your role models? Who inspires you as a fighter?

D.P: I love the Thais! I could sit there all day watch them hit pads or bags and watching them fight is unreal! I Look up and am inspired by my trainers and training partners because when I get in the ring I am not just fighting for myself, I am representing my gym and trainer, so I want to make sure I do them proud!

NRF: What are some of the hardships you have had to overcome in pursuit of your goals as a fighter and as a person?

D.P: I guess having to move interstate and back has been a bit disruptive in my life and training but it has proven to be the best thing that could have happened career wise… it has opened me up to so many opportunities and I am growing more and more every fight! Also having the pressure of looking for a job while fighting worried me at the beginning but I am very lucky to have found a job (carpenter) and a boss who is very supportive and gets just as excited as me when I fight!

NRF: What have you had to sacrifice to get to where you are now? What have you gained?

D.P: Probably the biggest thing is social life. At the start of my fight career I was fighting and training and trying to juggle social life and going out, but I soon realised that fighters don’t have a social life (well at least the top level ones anyway!) but now for me, I could care less about going out and partying; all I want to do is train and fight and go far in the sport! The next biggest sacrifice would be food haha.

NRF: How do you balance the demands of training with the time needed to maintain relationships with work, friends, and family?

D.P: I am very lucky to have to have supportive family and friends who do their best to support and help me in any way, especially my grumpy weight cut moods. I am also lucky to have a supportive boss that helps me with whatever I need in my fight career, something I thought id never find, so I see myself as very lucky!

NRF: What advice do you have for newcomers?

D.P: Find a proper Thai style gym.. Train hard and listen to your trainers! Its a long road that takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but if you want it bad enough you will get there.

NRF: What questions do you still need answers for? Who would you ask them to, if you could ask anyone?

D.P: I have a very experienced trainer who has been around for a long time. Whenever I’m not sure of something or need to know something I know I can go to him!

NRF: If you were injured and could no longer train or fight, what would you do from there? What is your fallback plan?

D.P: I honestly would be lost without Muay Thai, and it’s pretty scary to think what I’d do without it! But I guess I would have more time to focus on my carpentry and then start my own business once I become a builder.. So it is always good to have something to fall back on.

NRF: What do you wish was different about fight and sport culture?

D.P: I wish Thai boxers got paid a lot more than what they are getting! Thai boxing is one of, if not, the toughest sport in the world and Thai boxers are some of the hardest working athletes and they deserve to be getting more than what they are… and because of this, a lot of talented fighters turn away from the sport because of the pressures of today’s society to get a job.. Another thing is when fighters are given opportunities to fight on big shows and getting title shots way too early because of who they know, when there are lots of talented fighters around who don’t get the opportunity to shine!

NRF: What sort of dietary practices do you maintain?

D.P: Leading up to a fight I try to eat as clean as possible. I try to work it out so I’ll only have to lose about 2-2.5kg during fight week, cutting to much weight on weigh in day or a day before is not good and saunas are bad! So I know I’m not going to lose performance and stay as strong as possible.

NRF: How much time do you actually spend training each week?

D.P: I usually train every day each week leading up to a fight. Depending on how my body is feeling I may have a rest day on a Sunday every couple weeks. Because I work Monday-Friday, I train in the afternoons/nights and weekends. I have one strength and conditioning session a week, road running, sprints, pads, bag work and sparring and clinching make up my week!

NRF: What are your sources of information when designing your training regime?

D.P: I have a very experienced Muay Thai trainer in Danny Jones who has been around for a long time. I do whatever he says haha! I also have a very experienced strength and conditioning coach in Josh Miller who is an ex NRL player who played for the Canberra Raiders and St. George Illawarra Dragons.

NRF: What do you like to do in your off time?

D.P: What is off time haha? After working during the week and training every day, whenever I get a chance I’ll be having a sleep or trying to relax as much as I can getting ready for the next one! ahh the joys.. But it’s all worth it! Or in summer I’d be heading down to the beach.

Feast your eyes on that, internet…