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Atlant Media
  • 13 hours ago
Transcript
00:00I'm not gonna let you go
00:28Bangkok's parks are not only used for unhurried strolls, but as sporting grounds where you can swim, play tennis, work out,
00:58ride a bike, or even do yoga.
01:04The thing is, Bangkokians are really crazy about sports and a healthy lifestyle.
01:10The young and the old alike indulge in sporting activities.
01:15These elderly ladies here, for instance, are doing a special workout set to music.
01:21And these youngsters, they're lifting weights at a makeshift gym.
01:37While constantly looking at themselves in a small mirror.
01:53Ready to compare muscles with anyone who'd come close.
01:59One, two, three.
02:01One, two, three.
02:05One, two, three.
02:07One, two, three.
02:09One, two, three.
02:11One, two, three.
02:13Yes!
02:14Woohoo!
02:15I won!
02:17Super nice.
02:19And these guys here, they're playing some kind of a game.
02:30Where they kick what looks like a football or a volleyball over the net.
02:37Let's ask one of these guys what game they actually are playing.
02:41What sport it is that they're engaged in.
02:45What is this?
02:46What's the guys doing?
02:48Uh, we are playing Takra.
02:51Sipak Takra, a kick volleyball, is a sport for two teams of three players.
02:57The game is quite similar to volleyball.
03:01Players try to score by grounding the ball on their opponent's court, sending it over the net, while trying to keep it aloft on their own side.
03:10But just like in football, you can't use hands to touch the ball.
03:16Previously, rattan balls were used, which have recently been replaced by modern plastic balls.
03:23Sipak Takra is the number one sport in Thailand.
03:29As it turns out, Sipak Takra is the most common sport in Thailand, unlike Maatai or Thai boxing, as many people think.
03:40It is a sport native to Southeastern Asia, dating back to the 15th century, long before football was invented.
03:48According to Chai Longpong, Thailand's children are taught it from a young age.
03:54Interestingly enough, the players' moves and tricks with the ball derived from native dances and martial arts.
04:02Therefore, in order to play Sipak Takra, not only do you need to master football and volleyball skills,
04:08You must also be able to wave your legs and arms in the air in a true Bruce Lee fashion.
04:21All in all, though, it isn't a girls' sport. So, let's move on.
04:25Thank you very much.
04:27Nice to meet you.
04:28Nice to meet you, Maria.
04:29Very good.
04:30Jogging is another popular sport in Bangkok.
04:51Locals run almost 24-7 in any weather and whenever they get a spare moment.
05:06People in Bangkok believe that with running, which is a substitute for meditation in this cardio workout,
05:13When it is done right, they keep all their muscles in top shape.
05:21And if you try hard enough, you can even fall into a trance.
05:26But is there a proper way to run?
05:30To answer this question, we approached an accomplished marathon runner, Atsuyuki Kutsuyama.
05:37Back in the day, he was an office monkey at Japan's Panasonic.
05:44Then he decided to become a runner.
05:47Atsuyuki ran half the world and settled down in Bangkok where he got married.
05:52With a running career spanning over three decades, Atsuyuki has run more than 100 marathons.
05:59And at age 48, he accomplished the impossible, having run a 5,000-kilometer marathon across North America in 80 days.
06:12It had been his most cherished dream, and in 2015, he made it come true.
06:19Atsuyuki says he knows all about this sport, and he gladly shares his secrets with us.
06:25According to Atsuyuki, you can't just start running from scratch.
06:32Unless you warm up your whole body, you could end up causing some serious damage to your health.
06:38And, as a result, lose interest in running.
06:41When you run, all your muscles work together as a unit.
06:46Therefore, you must warm up your whole body in preparation.
06:50Rule number two.
06:51Move your body first, and only then the feet.
06:59Rule number three.
07:01While running, keep your arms relaxed and your back straight.
07:09Rule number four.
07:11When running, make sure your feet touch the ground with the toes first.
07:14Then, the balls of the pit, and only then the heels.
07:19Rule number five.
07:21According to Atsuyuki, regular sneakers are not good for extended races.
07:26You must have shoes that keep your toes apart.
07:30Such shoes follow the natural shape of your feet, and you almost never tire of wearing them.
07:35And finally, rule number six.
07:36You must follow a healthy diet.
07:38It turned out that Atsuyuki owned a small restaurant in Bangkok.
07:51He invited us there to unveil the ideal diet for marathon runners.
07:56Atsuyuki believes that a good runner must have a lean body, which is achievable through eating light food.
08:06He claims that a key to good health is proper digestion.
08:09So, your ability to properly digest foods is at its best when you have a combination of six tastes within one meal.
08:19Sweet bread with black sesame seeds.
08:23A salty omelet.
08:25Sour tofu.
08:27A stringent avocado.
08:29Bitter salad leaves.
08:31And pungent cashew sauce.
08:33According to Atsuyuki, with a single meal like this, you can easily last through the day.
08:45And it's easy to believe him.
08:47Despite his age, the 50-year-old marathon runner is still full of energy and willing to break his own record.
08:55As he intends to run a 10,000 and later, a 40,000-kilometer marathon.
09:03Well, we can only wish Atsuyuki to stay in good health and achieve his lofty goals.
09:11In the meantime, let's tap back into Bangkok's busy atmosphere.
09:24Also in the meantime, let's turn yourself to other cool
09:49but isn't it.
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