Fort Hall’s Daz Diaz is one of four Americans who will represent the U.S at an upcoming martial arts tournament in Thailand.

The up-and-coming star, Diaz has the special opportunity to attend the International Sport Kickboxing Association, or ISKA, Thailand opener in Bangkok later this month after impressing scouts who attended previous bouts when Diaz was just 17 years old, according to his local trainer, Shaun Eastman.

Diaz, now 18, has been coached by Eastman since he was 12. Diaz primarily focuses on Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

“He just has it,” Eastman said about his ascending fighter. “He has what it takes to get to the top. And so I literally have just dumped knowledge into his head for the last six years.”

Eastman, who has been professionally trained in a variety of combat fighting forms over the past 35 years, grew up in Washington, operating a fight gym there for nearly 20 years before moving to Pocatello. He coached at Mandrill Academy for five years before opening American Combat Academy, located at 621 S. First Ave.

Besides his own two sons, Eastman said Diaz is his prodigy.

”He trains relentlessly,” Eastman said. “That kid has been through everything known to man. He’s been pretty much on his own since he was 9 years old.”

Eastman continued “We just kind of want to point him in the right direction. And now he’s one of the top guys in Muay Thai. He’s going to be a gold medalist.”

Muay Thai, also known as the “Art of Eight Limbs,” is a martial art that originated in Thailand. Eastman says that Diaz started his journey to Thailand with fights in Montana where he beat one of the best Canadian fighters in his debut fight.

Diaz then fought someone out of Thailand, which he lost, but he later progressed to winning his fight at a Muay Thai show in Washington. He went on to another tournament put on by ISKA where the head director of the show was scouting for fighters to represent Team USA.

”That’s pretty much how it happened,” Eastman said. “That just shows how high of a level he’s at already in the beginning of his career. Sometimes it takes a long time to get opportunities like that.”

Eastman continued, “Under the lights when people are watching, some people fold and he does not fold.”

Diaz says he was unaware he was being scouted.

”I didn’t know that I had any eyes on me,” Diaz said. “I’ve been preparing for a minute now, probably a year.”

Since being selected to represent Team USA, Diaz has averaged about four hours of training per day.

”It is pretty lonely, I’m not gonna lie, but it’s worth it,” Diaz said. “I miss a lot of family time. I miss lots of things just so I can be prepared to win.”

For Diaz, martial arts have helped him find friends and supporters and overall it has been a positive force in his life. He has a daughter, which is his driving purpose for succeeding in Thailand.

”I know that one day I will be the best in the world and all of it will pay off,” Diaz said. “Adversity is a privilege.”

Diaz believes win or lose there will be opportunities for him in Thailand with being able to potentially enter the professional world of combat fighting one day. Diaz will be competing in Thailand May 17-22 with his goal to bring home the gold.

”Keep pushing for your dreams,” Diaz said. “Don’t ever let anybody tell you that you can’t do something just because they can’t do it. Always believe in yourself.”

A GoFundMe has been launched to help him gather funds for his journey, which has raised $1,845 of its $4,000 goal as of May 2.

Those wishing to contribute can access the fundraising campaign by visiting gofund.me/8d0962e6.