Charin Sorndee (Thai: ชรินทร์ สอนดี; born December 27, 1961), known professionally as Dieselnoi Chor.Thanasukarn (Thai: ดีเซลน้อย ช.ธนะสุกาญจน์), is a Thai retired Muay Thai fighter. He was the Lumpinee Stadium Lightweight (135 lbs) Champion for four years until he was forced to retire after running out of challengers. Nicknamed "Mr. Sky Piercing Knee", he is often regarded as one of the greatest and most dominant fighters in the history of Muay Thai who was especially known for his devastating knees. [1]
Dieselnoi (Little Diesel) was born in Tambon Huakoon, Nakhon Luang, Ayutthaya province. He started practicing Muay Thai at the age of 13 with his father and elder brother at the Sor Banchongsak training camp under the guidance of Banchong Ngarm-ket. According to the Thai tradition, his first fighting name was Dieselnoi Sor Banchongsak, named in the honor of his first gym. He made his muaythai debut in the 32 kg weight division. After 4–5 bouts, he changed camp and fought under the name of Dieselnoi Sor Vorakulchai at Sri Ratcha, Chonburi.[1] In 1977, he changed his name again and boxed for the Sor.Thanikul camp, owned by famous promotor Klaew Thanikul.[2]
In 1981, Dieselnoi fought Koapong Sittichuchai and won the Lumpinee Stadium Lightweight (135 lbs) championship title. It was their third meeting after one knock out win each in their previous fights. Due to a lack of challengers he would remain idle for 15 months. His next fight was at the World Free-style Martial Arts Championship held in Bangkok, in April 1982, taking the 135 lb division in the finals against Shinobu Onuki from Japan.[3] Then, on December 24, 1982, Dieselnoi fought Samart Payakaroon meeting at catch weight 132 lbs in a superfight. Dieselnoi weighed in at 129.7 to prove that he could have reached 130 lbs.[4] He outscored the 1981 Fighter of the Year Samart with his trademark knee attacks. It was one of the biggest muaythai fights in 1980's with Samart taking a purse of 350,000 and Dieselnoi a purse of 400,000 baht, a record at the time. Dieselnoi was awarded the prestigious Sports Writer's 1982 Fighter of the Year Award.[5] Dieselnoi reigned over the lightweight division for 17 more months without any challengers. On June 7 he faced Sagat Petchyindee at Rajadamnern Stadium at catch weight (132 lbs).[6] It was again Dieselnoi's overpowering knee strikes that won him the bout.[1] Then Dieselnoi would fly to America and face the American kickboxer John Moncayo, who was given a 5 kg advantage on the scale, in a modified rules fight (no elbows). Dieselnoi was victorious. When he returned to Thailand he then faced Sagat a second time, on October 6, 1984, in Ubon Ratchthani, winning on points again. Dieselnoi's final two fights were vs Krongsak Prakong-Boranrat. They would fight to a draw at Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok on August 8, 1985, and then Dieselnoi would beat him on points on November 12, 1985, at Lumpinee Stadium. Both fights at 132 lbs.[6] After being the champion for four consecutive years, he was eventually stripped from his 135 lb Lumpinee title and forced to retire because there was nobody in the weight division left to contest the belt.