Over the years I've ‘run into' many father and sons involved in ‘full contact sports'. There are many ‘boxing and kickboxing dads' that have some involvement in their son's or daughter's training. Very special are the dads who are actual trainers that manage their kid's boxing and kickboxing careers. But here's something quite unusual. A father and adult son who both regularly compete for Muay Thai national titles – Charles and Dan Pemble

Dan, is a student at Northern Michigan University (go Wildcats!) and Chuck, works as a corrections officer living in Marquette Michigan. They train under Kak Koonnala in a small gym in Marquette, Michigan.

Now consider this - Marquette, Michigan is the Upper Peninsula's largest city (population appx. 20,000) and is a day's drive to places like Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee and Minneapolis. If you think its tough finding quality Muay Thai competition in the major metropolitan areas, think about what these guys have to do to maintain their ‘edge'.

The story only gets better when you realize that Dan, a light cruiserweight at age 21, holds championship belts in both the IKF and WKA. Chuck (a cruiserweight) in his 40's, competes regularly in national tournaments and has done extremely well, winning the 2004 IKF North American Tournament and making the WKA semi-finals this past year.

I've sat down to dinner with these two many times (not to mention countless post fight parties) and I'm absolutely amazed at the dedication and professionalism that both demonstrate at each tournament. These are great guys that love the sport and travel near and far to compete. When I ask Charles “What drives you at mid forties to compete in full contact kickboxing with kids half your age?”, he sums it up quite concisely. “I want to win”.

So ‘Mong Kols' off to Charles and Dan! Our pick as the father and son ‘team' of the year.