Surachai Yindeechat (Thai: สุรชัย ยินดีชาติ; born Sakorn YindeechatThai: สาคร ยินดีชาติ; June 30, 1966), known professionally as Burklerk Pinsinchai (Thai: เบิกฤกษ์ ปิ่นสินชัย), is a Thai former professional Muay Thai fighter. He is a former two-time Lumpinee Stadium Flyweight Champion who was famous during the 1980s and 1990s.
Biography and career
Burklerk was born in 1966 in the Buriram Province where his father initiated him to Muay Thai at the age of 9. In 1977 Burklerk moved to Bangkok to join the Pinsinchai camp owned by Lieutenant Savek Pinsinchai. He was initially too small to compete in Bangkok and fought mostly in Rangsit, Samrong and Chaophraya.[1]
Burklerk emerged as a high level fighter in 1983 when he won his first Thailand title. By 1987 he was considered one of the best fighter in the country having won two Thailand titles and being the reigning Lumpinee Stadium 112 lbs champion. For his performance he was elected Lumpinee Fighter of the Year and received the "Yod Muay Fighter of the year" award.[2]
After losing his Lumpinee Stadium 112 lbs belt in 1987 Burklerk took a break of over 3 years in order to heal a chronic stomach disease.[3]
Burklerk made his comeback in 1991 and quickly regained his elite fighter status, he reached the final of the annual Isuzu Cup where he lost to Lakhin Wassandasit. He fought more sporadically during this second career but always with a high level of success against top opposition.[4]
Following his retirement Burklerk became a trainer and in 2008 he opened his gym in Lampang.[5] Burklerk gives seminars in various countries and was awarded "Muay Thai Ambassador of the Year" in 2010. His most successful student is Thepsutin Pumpanmuang (Thailand and Channel 7 champion).[6]
Burklerk also tried himself at boxing having a single and only fight. He won by TKO against a debuting Filipino boxer, Jun Komer. He sent Komer down for an eight count in the second round and again at the beginning of the fifth round in an event at the Imperial World Lat Phrao, Bangkok on December 1, 2006.[7][8]
