Qualifications
Kru Christopher Ballard
- 7th Dan Japanese Jujitsu
- Kru Muay Thai
- K.M.A./W.M.O. International Coach (Bangkok, 2014)
- (Former) USMTA VT State Representative
- (Former) USA Boxing Coach
- (Former) Muay Thai & MMA Promoter: Mayhem Championship Fighting (I-V), Gym Wars (I-VII), Co-Promoter of Anarchy Fight Night (I-IV)
- 4th Dan Taekwondo
Chris began his training in 1984 in the art of Taekwondo. He holds: a 7th Dan Black Belt in Japanese Jujitsu, 4th Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo, Senior Certified Instructor (Kru) in Muay Thai Kickboxing, a W.M.O./K.M.A. International Coach C (Bangkok, Thailand 2014). He was formerly a Certified USA Boxing Coach and holds a Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Professor Michael DesRosiers (2nd Dan Black Belt IBJJF, SubconsciousBJJ). He was inducted as a Life Member into the USMAA in 1997. He has also cross-trained in: Judo, Bojutsu, Arnis, Iaido, Karate, U.S. Army Combatives and more. He formerly served as the President of the Vermont Muay Thai Association. He was formerly the Vermont State Representative of the United States Muay Thai Association. He is an Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran. In Iraq, Chris conducted Direct Combat Operations as a U.S. Army Flight Medic with the 101st Airborne Division. (C Co. 3-126 DUSTOFF, 7th/101st Airborne Div., OIF 5-7). Chris formerly competed; locally, nationally and internationally. He competed for the IKF, (International Kickboxing Federation), USKBA, (United States Kickboxing Association), AAU Taekwondo and many more. Chris formerly trained at TriStar Gym in Montreal, CA. (99’-03’). He’s spent over a decade training throughout Thailand on Multiple occasions in Muay Thai & Muay Boran. Chris was a contributor to the creation of the Unified Rules of Muay Thai, (led by Nick Lembo NJ State Athletic Commission). He was certified as an International Coach C with the W.M.O./K.M.A. (Bangkok 2014), accredited by Thailand’s Ministry of Culture. Chris formerly promoted & co-promoted 16 Muay Thai & MMA events in VT. He was the first person to bring the art of Muay Thai to VT and host the first muay thai event: “Muay Thai Mayhem”. He was an IKF World Classic Champion Trainer (2014 – Orlando, FL). He served as the head coach for Team Vermont at the innagural USMTO East Championships (2017 – NYC). Chris has instructed many local/State/Fed LEO and MIL groups over the years. In 2022 he was brought in as an outside expert to the VT Office of Professional Regulations to help aid in the creation of State Sanctioning for Muay Thai & MMA, (no longer involved). Retired, he takes great pride in training martial artists & aspiring combat sports athletes at both the amateur and professional stadium levels.