Going for the belt: Kemptville boxer to compete in Muay Thai championship [Video]

Kemptville’s Zach Marques started Muay Thai as a way to train for self-defence in his job as a security officer. But he stayed for the competition.

When the former competitive soccer player finished his Police Foundations training and entered the workforce, he said he needed a way to prepare in case a situation at work escalated.

Now after seven years of training, Marques will be competing against boxers from across North, Central and South America in the biggest fight of his career so far.

It’s all part of the Pan American Muay Thai Championship, which runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at Ottawa’s Lansdowne Park. 

More than a combat sport, Muay Thai has a strong cultural history that stretches around the world. Reporter Steve Zhang visits the Muay Thai Academy in Vancouver to learn more.

For the local competitor and Muay Thai instructor, the championship is part of …