Melvin Vega is the new 2012 Golden Glove 108lb Open Class Champ!!!!!!!

On Wednesday, March 14th Rockaway Park resident Melvin Vega won the 108 pound open division of the famed Golden Gloves Amateur boxing tournament at the Empire Casino in Yonkers, NY. Vega took on a more experienced opponent in Daveshua Sepulveda from John's Gym in the Bronx who was this year's returning and reigning Golden Gloves champion. With Melvin being the underdog, though it was his 3rd attempt at the Golden Gloves championship, he showed great heart and tenacity while keeping his opponent on his heels. The open class competition for the Golden Gloves was a scheduled 3 round, 3 minute bout where both fighters put on a classic display of boxer versus puncher. Through out the fight Melvin was the aggressor, landing the more significant power shots in the 9 minute battle.

With his hard earned win this past Wednesday, it's hard to believe that just 5 days earlier Melvin debuted at the Friday Night Fights NYC Broad Street Ballroom show as a 115 pound amateur Muay Thai contestant. As with Wednesday, Melvin was victorious on Friday, March 9th with a dazzling non stop action filled performance using his Muay Thai skills aka "the science of the eight limbs".

Melvin is not only a devoted student and fighter representing CROM Martial Training but also an instructor at the facility. He looks forward to defending his title at next year's Golden Gloves Tournament as well as continuing his journey in Muay Thai boxing.

CROMCLASSIC on Youtube

We have decided to step up our game with "Technique of the Week" through the genius of Andrew Romulo of Eventrix Productions and Photographer and Director Efrain Hernandez. We look forward to bringing you more tried and true techniques used by Mr. Classic during his 16 years in the ring!! You can view all of our videos along with a growing library of Mr. Classic's fights on YOUTUBE on our page CROMCLASSIC.

CROM Martial Training- Basics of Muay Thai

Reviews on CROM Martial Training

We can't thank our students enough for all the glowing reviews they posted on Yelp and various sites.  We truly value our community and the students who have become friends and family at our school.  We are truly blessed!!  

Here's a few:

Tricia C

I usually hate the gym.  I have a serious fear of exercise all together.  When I started this gym in January I was completely out of shape, had trouble with physical exertion, especially climbing a flight of steps, and was eating my way into plus sizes. However, I was hooked after my first ladies boxing class. I had never boxed before, I h

ad never even had a fight before, heck, I'd never even yelled at anyone before, but I didn't need any of those skills when I walked in.  I just needed to be ready for an hone

st workout.  I got that and so much more.  Now, not only am I returning two my 'two years ago' weight, but I am building stamina, boxing skills and self esteem with each session.  I truly value CMT because it has helped me to arrive at a place emotionally that I had lost all hope of finding!

Cortney W.

I have joined EVERY gym (yes every single one), but I have never, ever felt as comfortable nor at ease as at Crom Martial Training.  This family owned business is a great asset to all it's members and the community that it serves.  

I started with CROM when it was based in Manhattan.  I've recently returned to their Queens location and took a ladies boxing class.  I asked myself all throughout the class why I had left!   Sarah, is an exceptional teacher for the ladies boxing class.  She is patient, yet pushes you to give it your all.   The ladies in the class were all returning students who had a wonderful energy as well.  Chris is equally dedicated & also an excellent instructor.  He brings an expertise that is unparalleled.

CROM Martial Training is THE place to come to get in shape & stay in shape!  It is good for all ages, shapes, & sizes!

 

Jason A

Rockaway is its own little corner of New York; not really too far but often overlooked.  The beach and boardwalk are there, some great restaurants, and what seems to be a fitness revolution going on.  They just had a St. Patrick's Day 5K with local businesses participating, there're a few standard gyms and what looks like a great hot yoga studio.  All set against the surf.  If you let it, the whole neighborhood will let you feel like getting healthy.

At the center of it all is Chris Romulo's new, clean martial arts facility.  Though the space and the equipment are brand new, it's impossible to escape the gym's old school feel.  Even as you approach you can hear the sounds of the pads, the music, and the timer.  The fogged-up windows foretell what's waiting inside.

Six days of varied classes -- muay thai, boxing, and strength and conditioning, all taught by Chris or Sarah.  The kids' classes are affordable and everyone is included -- no one is stuck in a corner.  They learn discipline and respect not because it is drilled into their heads, but because they're learning from someone who is passionate about what he's teaching them.  There is a major difference between being forced to respect a person because "mom dropped me off here" and learning to respect a sport/art because of how much it has done for so many people.  Crom Martial training has it right.

The adults are the proof.  I suspect there will be a bunch more glowing reviews, but until that time I can tell you that over the years we've all seen Chris as teacher, fighter, and friend.  People have lost weight, gained strength, even worked through nagging injuries.  Some just wanted to be able to say they trained in muay thai, others in boxing or MMA, others want to get in the ring.  They all had to earn it.  Personally I am getting more into strength and conditioning lately and Chris is always learning more and teaching more.  This gym has olympic rings, kettlebells, even a large drum partly filled with water (my favorite -- hoist THAT over your head and keep it there, and every second is like 50 crunches).

Now with Sarah, an experienced boxer teaches the women's classes and has a devoted following.  Everyone is welcome in her classes and there is no barrier to entry.  The gym's entire vibe is welcoming, and it's no surprise that absolute beginners continue to come back.

I recommend you try it out on a weekend.  Take a class, hang around and talk to others, jump in the surf afterwards, go for a run if you still can.  It's a chance to be a part of something new and exciting.  Something hundreds of years old!  

Jerwin F

The training and atmosphere in the gym is just great because the teachers and students respect each other regardless if you've been training for a while or just starting. i have only been training since december but i have enjoyed every single training session i have had. chris and sarah are very nice people and some of the best trainers me and my wife have had in the martial arts world.

 Sony F.

 I love this place. I've trained at a bunch of different gyms in the city and Queens. Even though I am a part of a different stable, I try to stop by Crom Martial Training every chance I get! Chris is an amazing fighter/trainer: all you need to do is google his fights or see his students compete to know that. Even if you're not competition oriented, the classes are great to get in shape. Aside from that, the way that Chris and Sarah run the establishment is second to none. It's hard to describe, but CMT just has that... family feel. They are super welcoming and friendly. These are two people who truly love the sports of boxing and muay thai and it shows in their training, teaching and all the involvement Chris undertakes as one of our best ambassadors for the sport. The facility is also brand new and super clean, which is always a plus! I can't recommend this place enough! Give it a shot. After all "All it takes is heart"!!!  

ALL IT TAKES IS HEART!

FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS NYC had its season opener for 2011 this past January 14th featuring a packed house with a full card of muay thai and amateur boxing. There were a lot of great pro and amateur match ups through out the night with our very own "Mr. Classic" headlining the show. Friday Night Fights NYC imported Alexandre Lavrushin with Cool Hearts Muay Thai out of Philly VIA Russia. Alexandre is a former national russian champion in Ashihara Karate while currently making waves in the muay thai world.

With both fighters understanding the international scope of this match up the fireworks were set off early in the bout. Chris came out as usual, trying to get a feel for his opponent with carefully placed shots and using his left leg as a rangefinder. Alexandre feeling the pressure of the foreign crowd wasted no time trying to set the pace. He brought his european style of muay thai with strong hands setting up his low kick attack. Chris felt comfortable working out of long range using his left leg and footwork to keep his distance. First round could have gone either way.

In the 2nd round the pace intensified as Alexandre ended the round with a strong right hand putting Chris on uneasy feet, backing him up against the ropes. Before the end of the round Chris was dropped with a furious flurry resulting in a standing eight count from his russian opponent. Making his way back to the corner, Chris was now behind in the fight. Both fighters came out in the 3rd round with a sense of urgency. Early in the 3rd round, Alexandre now in full throttle, landed a heavy left knee in the clinch on the chin of Mr. Classic, dropping Romulo to his knees for another standing 8 count. By the count of 6 Romulo was determined to finish what he started. Finishing the round, Romulo knew that there was only one way to win the fight.

Regaining his composure through the 3rd round gave Romulo the confidence necessary to go on the counter attack for the last couple of rounds. With his head now clear and Alexandre low on gas, Mr. Classic started to show how he earned his name. Staying technical and true to form, Romulo was able to start sending the Russian back on his heels and put the crowd on their toes. Romulo outlasted his Russian counterpart to the very last bell but unfortunately there wasn't enough time. Romulo lost an unanimous decision to the game Alexandre Lavrushin.

Mr. Classic put action behind his school's motto "All it takes is heart" on this evening and gave the crowd a performance they surely won't forget. With his 2nd loss on record, Romulo is eager to get back to the drawing board and make 2011 another year of representing muay thai to the fullest.

Another goal of Romulo's for 2011 is leaving his school's mark through his newly formed competition team. On January 15th, Melvin Vega fought his first official fight as a CROM Martial Training representative. Melvin Vega is a dedicated student of CMT training in all ranges proving himself to be a mixed martial artist. On saturday night at Gleason's he tested himself against yet another russian opponent, out of Fight Factory in Brighton Beach. Melvin came to CMT as an 0-1 boxer but that night he proved that he has learned a lot since his 1st loss. Melvin Vega proved to be more technical, in better shape, and with a bigger heart, outpointing his opponent for a majority decision. Vega showed why a consistent body and head attack is a crucial component to the sweet science. Congratulations Melvin- you've made CMT proud!

And finally, this saturday evening, 1/29/11 come out and support David Sanchez as he represents CROM Martial Training in his amateur debut Saturday 1/29/11 at Muay Thai Challenge War 5 at the World Wide Boxing Gym in the Bronx.

Date & Time: Saturday @ 1/29/11 - Doors open @ 6, Show begins @ 7:30

Location: World Wide Boxing Gym 3134 Jerome Ave. Bronx, NY

Ticket info: Available at the door for $35.

Chris "Mr. Classic" Romulo named WKA Fighter of the Month

I am blessed to start of the new year with such great recognition from the WKA as Fighter of the Month. The story below is copied from http://www.wkausa.com/fotm-moreinfo12.html
READ ON!....

Like many of our champions, Chris Romulo first became interested in traditional martial arts when he was a child. His father was a third degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and after many visits to the dojo, Chris decided to try it out at the age of eight: “I was hooked from the first day!” From there, Chris went on to practice his primary art, Muay Thai, as well as boxing, wrestling, BJJ, MMA, and Escrima.

Chris got into Muay Thai in 1996 under Sitsutam “Tommy Thai” Watcharanantakul, an ex-fighter from Thailand, under whom Chris first fought. Unfortunately, Watcharanantakul moved back to Thailand, forcing Chris to seek another trainer. Romulo then trained and fought under full contact champion Francisco Burgos. After a brief hiatus from training to spend time with his newborn son, Chris trained and competed for a couple years in shoot boxing under Geoff Roesch, finally returning to Muay Thai at Ultimate Gym under Ajarn Prasit Thong Dong from Saktaywan Muay Thai Camp in Thailand. However, after only one fight, Chris once again lost his instructor, as Ajarn Prasit left the US to go back to Thailand.

In 2003, a string of fortunate happenings led Duke Roufus student Jason Strout to New York. Romulo and Strout found themselves training side-by-side, and, recognizing the potential, Romulo asked Strout to stay in New York indefinitely to be his coach. The pair ended up at Church Street Boxing Gym, working together and developing Church Street’s Muay Thai program. An eight-year training relationship developed a trust and confidence between coach and fighter that helped Chris build his spectacular record of 18-3, with 7 KOs as an amateur and 13-1, with an amazing 10 wins by KO, as a professional. Chris cites Strout’s knowledge and skill as a coach as a major inspiration and catalyst to his own fighting and teaching.

About a year ago, Romulo opened his own gym, CROM Martial Training, to bring Muay Thai to a neighborhood in Rockaway beach that Chris loves but which, he admits, has few options for keeping youth off the streets and out of trouble. Chris’s impetus for much of his own program is to fill this need. He is a spokesperson for Bullying: We’re Kicking It!, and through this program, he speaks at many schools in New York and New Jersey, talking to kids about growing up and how martial arts helped him keep safe and focused. In addition to helping local youth find new paths, Chris wants to increase the prestige of his gym by providing quality training and developing a respected fight team.

Though running a gym and training fighters keeps Romulo quite busy enough, he endeavors to maintain the integrity of his school by continuing his own very successful fight career, fighting consistently despite his busy teaching schedule. He eagerly anticipates his next fight against Russian fighter Alexander Lavrushin on Justin Blair’s next Friday Night Fights card on January 14th, 2011. Later, he looks forward to rematching Canadian Alex Ricci, Romulo’s first and only professional loss and only loss by KO. Chris looks at this fight as a test of his immense growth over the past four years, when the two first fought.
Something that always stands out about Chris at fights is his performance of the Ram Muay and Wai Kru. Anyone who has seen this performance—or even a photograph of it—can tell that this is about more than just fighting to him. Says Chris of his own attitude to the sport and to competing: “I don’t look at competing solely as fighting. I view it as a true expression of my soul. I love to win, but more importantly I like to leave an impression. Like a painter, I always try to create the ultimate masterpiece on the canvas.”

Best of luck to Chris with his gym and his upcoming fights, and we eagerly look forward to seeing him defend his WKA Professional North American Middleweight Title, which he won over Sean Hinds in May of 2010.

What's new at CMT

NEW CLASSES & INSTRUCTORS AT CROM MARTIAL TRAINING

The new year is right around the corner which means only one thing...for those of you who have been grubbin' it up...STEP UP YOUR TRAINING...and for those of you have become one with the couch for the last few months- time to start fresh..at one of our new class offerings at CROM Martial Training!!


The MMA/BJJ program at CROM Martial Training is geared towards teen and adult students who are looking to experience a well rounded education in Mixed Martial Arts in a fun, yet safe learning environment. With this program you will be eligible for 2 MMA classes and 2 BJJ classes per week. See class description below:

Our Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes are taught by black belt and veteran MMA coach, Professor Clarence Everett. "Cee" is known for his comprehensive instruction and teaches the nuts and bolts of this very technical art. The objective of this class is to teach students the fundamentals in the art of “ground fighting”. Students will drill movements to learn how to get from position to submission, thereby constantly reinforcing the most efficient strategy for real life confrontations or for sport.
WHEN: Tues: 8:00-9:30pm & Thurs 8:00-9:30pm INSTRUCTOR: PROF CLARENCE EVERETT

MMA classes are taught by our head instructor, Chris Romulo, from a stand- up perspective, giving you all the tools necessary to stay on your feet and work your boxing and muay thai. This class will help bridge the gap between standup and ground fighting. CROM's MMA program will cover the basics of wrestling and jiu-jitsu while still adhering to our preference to "sprawl and brawl". 3 months striking/standup training is recommended for participation.
WHEN: Tues: 6:30-7:45 & Sat 11:30-12:30pm// INSTRUCTOR: CHRIS ROMULO


CROM FIT- Strength & Conditioning

CROM Fit is a Strength & Conditioning program created by our very own head instructor, Chris Romulo, to get in to optimal shape for his competitions. This program is comprised of tried and true old school training methods mixed in with cutting edge fitness exercises. Students build strength, flexibility, stamina, agility and balance through circuit style training that keeps one’s body guessing from work out to work out. The tools used include a mix of home made medicine balls, kettlebells, dumbells, climbing ropes, gymnastic rings, and chin up bars to give our students a back to basics, hard core work out. Students of all levels are welcome!
WHEN: Tues: 5:15-6:15 & Thurs 7-8 pm// INSTRUCTOR: CHRIS ROMULO

LADIES BOXING
This class is geared towards women looking to learn authentic boxing in a fun, safe and structured learning environment. Boxing not only offers benefits such as a well-toned body and increased stamina, but also the intense training will undoubtedly improve one’s determination, focus, patience and self-confidence. Students walk out of each class feeling empowered, confident and relaxed. Training involves skipping rope, bagwork, mitt work, various conditioning, and core exercises.
WHEN: Saturday mornings 9:30-10:30am// INSTRUCTOR: SARAH ROMULO

GET TO KNOW OUR INSTRUCTORS:

Since his involvement in Muaythai, Chris Romulo has won regional and national professional & amateur titles and has fought in Thailand in the IFMA-WMC World Championships. As a professional, he is currently the North American champion and continues to dominate the east coast's Muaythai middleweight division. Even with his success in Muaythai, Chris strives to live by the code of the Martial Artist. Deeming that competition should never be about personal conflict, but rather about the respect and the passion for learning and growing through Martial Arts. The valuable lessons that he has learned from years of training in the Martial Arts is what he anticipates to pass on to his students. Building a gym in the same community that he lives in has been Chris Romulo's ultimate dream. Chris sees this as a chance to work with the youth and give them opportunities that he wasn't exposed to growing up as a child.

Record: Professional Muay Thai: 13-1 (10ko)Amateur Muay Thai: 18-3-1

Titles:

2010 Professional Super Middleweight North American Champion

2004 Amateur IFMA-WMC Muay Thai World Cup Bronze Medalist

2004 Amateur WKA North American Muay Thai Champion

2004 Amateur WKA US National Muay Thai Champion

2003 Amateur WKA US National Muay Thai Champion

2003 Amateur WKA NY State Muay Thai Champion

Professor Clarence Everett

is the 1st American Black Belt

in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under
Professor Alexander "Soca"

Freitas. Professor Everett also
earned rank in Kodokan
Judo and is a lineage
holder in Southern Chi-
nese Martial Arts.
Everett coaches MMA
competitors and has
served as a professional
corner-man for UFC fighters
Phillipe Nover & Dave Branch.



Eddie Marini has competed
in both amateur boxing
and muay thai and has
a great passion for the
martial arts, which gives
him great teaching skills.
Eddie has trained under
both Chris Romulo and
Jason Strout, and traveled
and trained through out
Thailand. He is currently
the North American Amateur
champion in his weight
class and holds a 3-1
record in amateur muay
thai and a 1-0 record in
amateur boxing.
Eddie teaches boxing on mondays at 6pm





Sarah Romulo, our ladies
boxing instructor, came
in to the sport 3 yrs ago
as merely an enthusiast
and desiring a better way
to get in shape, which
eventually turned in to a
need to test her skills
through competition.
Sarah encourages students
to not only get in the best
shape of their lives, but
have FUN while doing it!