Head Coach
Coach Omar Samid
Head Coach and Owner, Shark Tank Muay Thai
Omar owns and runs Shark Tank Muay Thai in Waterloo. 15+ years in martial arts, over 30 pro fights, and the fastest student ever to earn a purple belt in the BANG Muay Thai system. He trained under Duane Ludwig at the original BMT gym in Westminster, Colorado. Every class at Shark Tank comes out of that training.
Credentials at a Glance
The Numbers
15+ Years
Martial Arts Experience
More than a decade and a half training and teaching across multiple striking disciplines, with BANG Muay Thai as the anchor for the last several years.
30+ Fights
Professional Competition Record
Over thirty pro fights. Every pad round Omar runs comes from that ring time.
Fastest Purple Belt
BANG Muay Thai System
Earned the fastest purple belt in the history of the BANG Muay Thai belt progression.
Trained at the Source
Duane Ludwig's Facility, Westminster CO
Trained under Duane Ludwig at the original BMT gym in Westminster, Colorado. Same facility that produced UFC champion TJ Dillashaw.
The Training Journey
From Waterloo to Westminster and Back
Omar started in martial arts at a local gym, same as most people. A few classes turned into a habit, and the habit turned into a pro fight career. Over 30 fights. That is a lot of real rounds, and that ring time is what trains the coaching eye more than any certification does.
BANG Muay Thai was the thing that changed how Omar trained and how he wanted to teach. It is a numbered striking system built by Duane Ludwig, a former UFC fighter and three-time Striking Coach of the Year. Every technique has a number. That sounds small. It is not. The numbering means the curriculum actually builds on itself week to week, so beginners progress in weeks instead of months. Omar went to Westminster, Colorado to learn it from Ludwig directly.
That was not a weekend seminar. Omar spent real time inside the BMT gym, worked through the belt progression, and earned his purple belt faster than any other student in the system's history. The record is a nice detail. What matters is that his technique got stress-tested by the people who built the curriculum.
Shark Tank is the only certified BMT affiliate in Kitchener-Waterloo. Omar built it as a BMT gym from day one, not a generic martial arts studio that bolted BMT on top. Semi-private classes, small caps, evenings only. The setup exists to serve the training, not the other way around.
The System
Why BANG Muay Thai
BANG Muay Thai is a hybrid striking system built by Duane Ludwig. It mixes traditional Muay Thai with Dutch Kickboxing, Western Boxing, and Kyokushin Karate. The unusual part is the numbering. Every strike, every combination, every defensive response has a number. When Coach Omar calls out "1-2-3" mid-round, you already know the movement before he finishes the sentence.
Beginners pick up the core numbers in the first couple of weeks. Advanced students use the same numbers to drill complex sequences at speed. It is one of the very few striking systems with an actual teachable curriculum, which is why UFC champions including TJ Dillashaw trained with Ludwig at the Westminster facility.
In the Gym
How Classes Actually Run
Every adult class caps at 5 students. It is a real cap, not a marketing number. Five people means Coach Omar sees everything. If you drop your hand in a combination, he corrects it that round, not three weeks later when the bad habit has already set in.
Beginners do not spar. First month or two is pad work, drills, and defensive technique. Sparring comes later and only for students who want it, always supervised, always with a clear intensity dial. Reckless training partners do not last long here.
Competitive students get a different version of the same hour. Fight camps, opponent-specific pad work, conditioning timed to a fight date. Coach Omar runs both ends, the first-time beginner learning a jab at 5 PM and a competitor's camp prep earlier that afternoon in a private session. That range comes from his own fight career.
In Their Words
What Students Say About Coach Omar
“Omar is simply the best coach you could ask for. He breaks down every move step by step, explaining not just the how but the why. Incredibly accommodating, always adjusting to your pace and individual needs.”
- Saboor Bakshi
“Coach Omar demonstrates exceptional awareness of his students' needs. His professional approach and genuine passion for martial arts shine through every session. The individualized instruction has helped me improve tremendously and continue reaching my goals.”
- Alejandra Posada
Train With Coach Omar
The 2-Week Intro Pass is the fastest way to see what the training actually looks like. $75 for up to 6 evening classes. Or start with a single free class.
Or call 519-998-9237
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