Capital Region 12-year-old again going to Muay Thai World Championships

GREENFIELD CENTER, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- "This year, I believe, is Damian's year," coach Don Walton told NEWS10 when asked about his pupil, 12-year-old "Diamond Boy" Damian Snyder, being invited to join Team USA in the Youth Muay Thai World Championships for the second year in a row.

Damian has been training at the Saratoga Academy of Elite Martial Arts, located inside the Ndakinna Education Center in Greenfield Center, for over three years. He does it all: Karate, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kyokushin and Muay Thai, as well Wrestling for the South Glens Falls School District.

In the fall of 2023, Damian was invited to Team USA in the Youth Muay Thai World Championships in Turkey. Some of his teammates were invited back to the team again this year as well.

"Last year in the championships, I fought a really good kid from Hungary. He was about a foot taller than me," said Damian. "I unfortunately lost and didn't place but it was a fun experience watching all my teammates win."

Since his last appearance in the World Championships, Damian has been on a win streak, going undefeated in five fights over the past year. Damian won twice at the Muay Thai Super Series, twice at Grand Nationals, and most recently he won the Prime Fight Promotions Junior Championship Title. In addition to his Muay Thai wins, Damian won the 95-pound Novice State Wrestling Tournament this year.

"I was an absolutely amazing experience to just watch him go out there and see how much he's grown over this past year," said Damian's father, Chris Snyder.

This year, the International Federation of Muaythai Associations' Youth Muay Thai World Championships are in Bangkok, Thailand from September 11 to 20. The Snyders have started to raise money for the trip to Thailand in September. If you’d like to donate to help fund Damian’s trip, you can visit the GoFundMe website.

"I'm really excited. It's been a great experience over this past three years of me doing Muay Thai," said Damian. "It's helped me grow, not only as a fighter but as a person as well."

Shihan James Bruchac founded the Saratoga Academy of Elite Martial Arts in 2011. The school since expanded to include both adult and youth classes in multiple disciplines.

"I always have people come in saying they want to be fighters, but then they don't want to do what it takes," said Walton. "Damian has no problem doing exactly what he needs to do to put in the work. It's a very proud moment for me and it inspires a lot of the other kids here and helps push them."