He may yearn for soft drinks and instant noodles, but Captain Phonsyry is already on a strict diet of fruit, vegetables, eggs and meat. While his friends knock back the fizzy pop, Captain has to make do with mango juice.
"He's only been training for six months," says Captain's father Kao Phonsyry, "but he takes part in competitions every month in Thailand already. He can beat fighters his age from Laos, and he can beat fighters from Thailand.
"You know, people from Laos and northern Thailand are ethnically the same," continues Kao. "In terms of kickboxing we just lacked the money and management. Now there are more gyms opening in Vientiane and companies with money are getting involved. In five years our boxers will be as good as their boxers. That includes my son."
Kao is now putting his money where his mouth is by building a new kickboxing gym on the other side of Vientiane to Kwanjai Sikhot. Companies such as Beer Lao and Singha Beer have already enquired about sponsorship. Tour agencies will soon bring minibuses full of eager holidaymakers to witness demonstration fights.
"This gym is my son's legacy," says Kao, pointing toward a block of unfinished changing rooms and covered ring. "When he retires from kickboxing he will manage this project. That's how much faith I have in the future of muay lao. It's not about making our national sport as famous as Thai kickboxing. It's about fulfilling our potential."