Last Call

Worcester Magazine USA TODAY NETWORK

Since moving here from his native Brazil, Ibere Reis has been teaching and coaching Muay Thai in Worcester since 2009. Muay Thai, or Thai Boxing, is also known as the “art of eight limbs” as it utilizes not just hands and feet but elbows and knees as well. Owner and founder of Team Link Muay Thai, Reis has coached multiple fighters at the national level, including in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, or UFC, the largest mixed martial artist promotion company in the world. While he still competes for fun, Reis considers himself a teacher and coach at heart, drawing more enjoyment from helping others realize their own dreams in the sport. Sitting down with Last Call, Reis discussed how he got started, how Team Link has come through the uncertainty of the pandemic and the confidence martial arts can instill that carries over to everyday life.

How has it been bouncing back from the pandemic and getting back to normal?

The pandemic hit us very hard and we almost closed the gym because we were in deep financial debt. Happily, we were able to reopen and with some hard work, we have surpassed our numbers from before the pandemic — it feels like we are placing the bricks to build back up.

How did you get started with Team Link?

I was coaching in Brazil, and Gabriel Gonzaga, a former UFC fighter, who I used to work with, gave me a call and said he had an opportunity for me here. I could keep training him and have a place where I could teach Muay Thai.

Are you still training Gabriel?

Yes, but he’s retired now. Sometimes he comes out of retirement and when that happens, I coach him. His last match was in 2019.

What’s your own competitive background?

I competed in Muay Thai for a bit but after that I just tried to help the guys out instructing at the gym and I ended up becoming a coach.

What drew you to coaching more than competing?

The feeling. Every time I won a fight, I was happy but there was something missing. It was like, okay, I just did what I trained for. But when I help my teammates out and see them win the fight, it’s a great feeling of making something happen for somebody, you know? You guide them, train them hard and have dreams for them and see them go to that place. That’s where I felt the most happy. I still compete for fun but coaching is way more fulfilling.

Have you studied Muay Thai in Thailand?

No. I started training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai with a coach who came from a competitive gym in Brazil. I trained with him for a couple years and then a Thai coach came to Brazil — a retired champion — and I started training with him and that’s when I really got into Muay Thai.

What would you say is the difference between Brazilian and Thai training?

The difference is that Thai training is more strategic. With my first striking coach there were a lot of heavy hands, low kicks and aggressive knees. When the Thai coach came, it was more where to hit and why to hit, how to block better — to be the smarter fighter. I started to understand how to be strategic — not just blocking and looking for openings but creating openings.

What drew you to Muay Thai over Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and mixed martial arts?

Though I love to be able to defend myself, I also love striking and Muay Thai gives you all of that. I do believe every human being should be able to be strong, confident and defend themselves. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, I do like it but in my opinion, it became much more a sport than a self defense martial art and combat.

What sets combat apart from other sports?

It makes you confident and humbles you at the same time, which I don’t see in a lot of other sports. Actually knowing how to defend yourself gives you a certain tranquility and certainty. Even in a non-confrontational situation, speaking to someone who would normally intimidate you, it helps you to not feel inferior so you can be your best self.

How is it as a coach to switch between training people on a competitive level versus a more everyday level?

I love it. For me, one is more responsibility, like when I’m training an athlete for a competition. I love high level competition and putting in the work and seeing these guys developing and rising to the challenge. It’s a different experience training someone who’s just learning to defend themselves and be in shape. I know I’m adding so much value for that person that it pumps me up to be there for that guy. I love both aspects of that and it’s not hard to transition between them at all.

So the difference is part of the fun?

Absolutely. The beginner going to the gym who just wants to learn self defense and be healthy — I started like that. I did not think I would ever be competing or coaching. As I was training, I started to compete. Competing, I fell more in love with the sport and started coaching.

Anything to add that we didn’t touch on?

I think teaching the kids’ classes is the most fun — they learn very fast. Kids are awesome because they’re little sponges. They’re very responsive, you give them good guidance and they bring that to their whole life. They mature better and quicker, and become more confident ,while some adults take much longer to apply those lessons.

Ibere Reis is owner and founder of Team Link Muay Thai school. RICK CINCLAIR/TELEGRAM & GAZETTE