“The Little Giant”
Littewada Sitthikul is one of the most respected fighters from the Golden Age of Muay Thai, a period during the 1980s and early 1990s when the sport reached its peak of popularity, competitive depth, and cultural significance in Thailand. Competing at the lower weight classes, Littewada demonstrated that technical mastery and fighting heart could produce extraordinary results regardless of a fighter's size, and his achievements on the Bangkok stadium circuit place him among the most accomplished fighters of his generation.
Born in Thailand, Littewada entered the world of Muay Thai through the traditional pathway of gym training and child fighting that has produced virtually every great Thai champion in the sport's history. The Sitthikul camp provided him with a strong technical foundation, and his natural talent quickly became apparent as he rose through the ranks of the provincial circuits before arriving at the Bangkok stadiums, the ultimate proving ground for any Muay Thai fighter.
The lower weight divisions in Thai Muay Thai have historically been among the most competitive in the sport. While international audiences often focus on the heavier weight classes, Thai fight fans and gamblers have always recognized that some of the finest technical fighters compete at the lighter weights, where speed, timing, and technique are paramount. Littewada excelled in this environment, using his exceptional skills to outmaneuver opponents who often matched or exceeded his physical attributes.
Littewada won championships at both Lumpinee and Rajadamnern stadiums, the dual-stadium championship that represents the pinnacle of achievement in Muay Thai. To hold belts at both stadiums simultaneously required defeating the best fighters in two separate competitive ecosystems, as each stadium maintained its own rankings, matchmakers, and championship lineages. Littewada's ability to dominate at both venues speaks to the completeness of his skill set and the consistency of his performances against the highest level of opposition.
His fighting style was a masterclass in traditional Muay Thai technique. Littewada possessed an excellent left kick that he used both as a scoring weapon and as a tool to create openings for his other attacks. His elbow strikes were sharp and well-timed, delivered with the precision that separated the good fighters of the Golden Age from the great ones. In the clinch, his knee work was effective and varied, and his ability to sweep opponents from the clinch added another dimension to his offensive arsenal.
Littewada was recognized as Fighter of the Year by the Sports Writers Association of Thailand, a prestigious honor that reflects the esteem in which he was held by the media and fans who covered Muay Thai during its most popular era. This award, given annually to the fighter deemed the best in the country, placed Littewada alongside the greatest names in the sport and confirmed his status as one of the defining fighters of the Golden Age.
The legacy of Littewada Sitthikul is woven into the broader story of the Golden Age of Muay Thai. He was part of a generation of fighters who set standards of technical excellence that continue to influence the sport today. His achievements at the lighter weight classes helped establish the credibility and prestige of the smaller divisions, proving that the artistry and excitement of Muay Thai are not dependent on the size of the fighters. Littewada remains a revered figure among Thai Muay Thai historians and enthusiasts, a champion whose career exemplified the technical beauty and competitive intensity that defined the greatest era in the sport's history.