A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt has sparked intense online debate after publicly sharing his experience with six months of abstinence, claiming the practice delivered notable benefits to his athletic performance and daily life.

Nakapan Phungephorn, a 45-year-old martial arts champion and founder of Beta Academy DC, posted a video explaining his unconventional preparation strategy for the Masters IBJJF World Championships. Speaking candidly while wearing his gi, Phungephorn detailed what he describes as three major advantages gained during his 183-day period of celibacy.

“I retained my seed, didn’t spill my seed for six months,”

Phungephorn stated in the video. His first reported benefit was a dramatic increase in stamina.

“Number one, I had boundless energy. I could train hours in a day, whereas when I was 30 years old and carelessly throwing away my energy, one training session, I was done for the day. But now I could train for two, three, four hours a day.”

The martial artist explained he could complete strength and conditioning work during the day then return for additional sessions at night, though he acknowledged needing to moderate his training volume due to his age.

The second benefit, according to Phungephorn, manifested during actual competition.

“When I was actually in the tournament during my matches, I felt that I could make micro-adjustments right in the middle of the match,”

he said. He described entering what he called a flow state, enabling him to capitalize on opportunities in real time and execute critical movements at optimal moments.

Perhaps most significantly, Phungephorn credits the discipline required for his abstinence practice with creating a cascading effect across other areas of his life.

“It has given me other areas in my life where I’ve actually been able to exert discipline over, like cutting down sugar, getting rid of caffeine,”

he explained. This habit-stacking, as he describes it, amplified what he perceives as the core benefits of his practice.

The video quickly went viral across social media platforms, generating thousands of reactions ranging from genuine admiration to skepticism and humor. One commenter suggested calling it the Nak Challenge and making it a viral trend, while another joked it was a normal post class black belt speech.

However, not everyone was convinced. Several respondents questioned the scientific basis of his claims. One skeptic wrote that there is essentially no scientific evidence supporting these practices beyond possible placebo effects, noting that any observed benefits seem subjective rather than causal.

Others took a lighter approach to their commentary. Multiple users made jokes about the nature of the announcement itself, with one quipping it was an unusual way to announce a six-month dry spell, while another humorously claimed to have saved their own supply in a coffee cup.

Some martial artists in the comments section shared similar experiences, with one younger practitioner noting increased focus and seriousness about life during comparable periods. Others questioned practical aspects, asking whether the practice excluded intimate relations entirely or only certain activities.

The post also generated curiosity about competition outcomes, with followers asking whether Phungephorn achieved victory at the Masters championships that motivated his preparation regimen.

Medical professionals and fitness experts generally maintain that scientific literature does not support claims of enhanced athletic performance through extended abstinence. Studies examining testosterone levels show only temporary minor fluctuations that return to baseline relatively quickly.