MUAYTHAI - มวยไทย
Muaythai is a martial art that has developed over the last 2 millennia in South East Asia. It is sometimes referred to as the 'art of eight limbs' because the practitioners use the hands, elbows, knees and feet as weapons and defensive tools. Along with the weapons of eight limbs, grappling, or Thai clinch, is a large part of the Muaythai practitioner’s attack and defense arsenal.
Muaythai originated from an older form of hand to hand fighting - Muay Boran, and that in turn developed from/was part of, hand to hand and weapons systems combat developed for use in warfare. This highly effective Martial Art enabled Thailand (formerly Siam) to remain free from conquest. Whilst the Thai soldiers were brutal fighters, the Thai were, and still are, a very peaceful and kind society. Muaythai/warfare was used only in defence of their land and was not to be used in overt aggressive conquering manoeuvres. Today we maintain that mind-set; outside the sporting arena Muaythai must only be used in defence.
Several legendary fighters have evolved over the centuries of warfare and remain dare to Muaythai culture, and indeed Thai culture as a whole. One of these legends is King Naruesan (1555-1605) who after returning from being a prisoner of war for many years, led Siam to freedom, reportedly cutting his nemesis in half whilst sword fighting on the back of their elephants. Another legendary fighter is Nai Khanom Tom (late 1700's) who was made a prisoner of war by the Burmese. The Burmese King Mangra called for some of the prisoners to fight his top Burmese fighters (Burmese boxing is similar to Muaythai). Nai Khanom Tom, renowned for his fighting ability was picked from the prisoners. He performed his ritual Ramuay dance, then proceeded to fight against Mangra's top fighters, one by one he dispatched them, winning all the fights, and consequently his freedom. He returned home to a hero's welcome.
Over time this art of warfare manifested into a sport; different villages, towns and provinces held contests against each other, determining who had the best fighters, and who the best fighter was. Many traditions and rituals have been passed down from trainer to fighter over the centuries. These rituals help to preserve Thai culture, bring good luck upon the practitioner, and pay respects to our present and past trainers. Some of these traditions include the Wae Kru (showing respect to trainers) and the Ramuay (slow, flowing dance performed at the beginning of a fight - shows the ability, background, prowess and personality of the fighter whilst putting them in the right mind-set).
In Thailand Muaythai fighters (Nak Muay) often begin training at a young age (5-10). And may fight between 10-20 times per year. Many of these children fight because it brings in income for the family, it also brings status and prestige to the individual. Nak Muay in Thailand (and increasingly around the world) train twice per day from 2-4 hours per session, 6 times per week. This level of training gives the Nak Muay the fitness, skill and stamina needed to compete, and recover from fighting. Because of the early starting age and intense training/fighting regime (a Nak Muay can clock up 120-200 fights by the time they're in their mid 20's) the average Thai fighter is nearing retirement by the late 20's.
In contemporary Thailand a few legendary fighters are continuing to fight into their 30's, particularly on the high paying International circuit. There is also a new breed of Thais joining Muaythai clubs at an older age, often in upmarket gyms far from the traditional Nak Muay gyms of the suburbs and county side, and now more than ever, far from Thailand. With the international spread of Muaythai as a sport, there has been the inclusion of Muaythai under the umbrella of Martial Arts governing bodies that once only supported the likes of Western Kick boxing or Karate.
Muaythai has been included as a sport/rule set in many martial arts governing bodies over the past few decades, WKA, IKBF and TBA to name but a few. The latest advancement in in development of Muaythai as a sport has been it's recognition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC are working with the International Federation of Muaythai Amateur (IFMA) towards it's inclusion as an Olympic sport. IFMA is the only formally recognised International Governing body of Muaythai by the IOC. The World Muaythai Council (WMC) is the 'professional arm' next to IFMA and is arguably Muaythai's most prestigious governing body.
Muaythai originated from an older form of hand to hand fighting - Muay Boran, and that in turn developed from/was part of, hand to hand and weapons systems combat developed for use in warfare. This highly effective Martial Art enabled Thailand (formerly Siam) to remain free from conquest. Whilst the Thai soldiers were brutal fighters, the Thai were, and still are, a very peaceful and kind society. Muaythai/warfare was used only in defence of their land and was not to be used in overt aggressive conquering manoeuvres. Today we maintain that mind-set; outside the sporting arena Muaythai must only be used in defence.
Several legendary fighters have evolved over the centuries of warfare and remain dare to Muaythai culture, and indeed Thai culture as a whole. One of these legends is King Naruesan (1555-1605) who after returning from being a prisoner of war for many years, led Siam to freedom, reportedly cutting his nemesis in half whilst sword fighting on the back of their elephants. Another legendary fighter is Nai Khanom Tom (late 1700's) who was made a prisoner of war by the Burmese. The Burmese King Mangra called for some of the prisoners to fight his top Burmese fighters (Burmese boxing is similar to Muaythai). Nai Khanom Tom, renowned for his fighting ability was picked from the prisoners. He performed his ritual Ramuay dance, then proceeded to fight against Mangra's top fighters, one by one he dispatched them, winning all the fights, and consequently his freedom. He returned home to a hero's welcome.
Over time this art of warfare manifested into a sport; different villages, towns and provinces held contests against each other, determining who had the best fighters, and who the best fighter was. Many traditions and rituals have been passed down from trainer to fighter over the centuries. These rituals help to preserve Thai culture, bring good luck upon the practitioner, and pay respects to our present and past trainers. Some of these traditions include the Wae Kru (showing respect to trainers) and the Ramuay (slow, flowing dance performed at the beginning of a fight - shows the ability, background, prowess and personality of the fighter whilst putting them in the right mind-set).
In Thailand Muaythai fighters (Nak Muay) often begin training at a young age (5-10). And may fight between 10-20 times per year. Many of these children fight because it brings in income for the family, it also brings status and prestige to the individual. Nak Muay in Thailand (and increasingly around the world) train twice per day from 2-4 hours per session, 6 times per week. This level of training gives the Nak Muay the fitness, skill and stamina needed to compete, and recover from fighting. Because of the early starting age and intense training/fighting regime (a Nak Muay can clock up 120-200 fights by the time they're in their mid 20's) the average Thai fighter is nearing retirement by the late 20's.
In contemporary Thailand a few legendary fighters are continuing to fight into their 30's, particularly on the high paying International circuit. There is also a new breed of Thais joining Muaythai clubs at an older age, often in upmarket gyms far from the traditional Nak Muay gyms of the suburbs and county side, and now more than ever, far from Thailand. With the international spread of Muaythai as a sport, there has been the inclusion of Muaythai under the umbrella of Martial Arts governing bodies that once only supported the likes of Western Kick boxing or Karate.
Muaythai has been included as a sport/rule set in many martial arts governing bodies over the past few decades, WKA, IKBF and TBA to name but a few. The latest advancement in in development of Muaythai as a sport has been it's recognition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC are working with the International Federation of Muaythai Amateur (IFMA) towards it's inclusion as an Olympic sport. IFMA is the only formally recognised International Governing body of Muaythai by the IOC. The World Muaythai Council (WMC) is the 'professional arm' next to IFMA and is arguably Muaythai's most prestigious governing body.