"The hands are the sword and the arms of the shield. The elbows sit like the hammer, the legs like the ax. " (Thai Poet)
Muay Thai, Thai boxing, is now a national sport in Thailand and has been enjoying the 20 since. Century worldwide great popularity. Muay Thai is one of the toughest martial arts in the world.
The history
Over the centuries Thai boxing evolved from traditional martial arts. If the use of swords and spears in battle was no longer possible, the warriors continued to fight with fists and legs.
King Nareusan officially incorporated Muay Thai 1560 into military training. Legend has it that he was captured in a battle between Burma and Siam. The Burmese knew his reputation as the best unarmed combatant and offered to release him if he defeated their most experienced fighter. After his celebrated return Muay Thai was recognized as a national sport.
The real significance as a popular sport understood King Rama V., who built numerous Box Center from 1880 and began to promote Thaiboxen comprehensive. He is said to have assembled his bodyguard often from successful fighters.
Before boxing gloves and fixed lap times were introduced around 1930, fights were only made with hand wraps, sometimes with sharp-edged objects, and the groin guard was made from coconut shells. Also the time measurement for a passage was determined with the help of coconut shells. One put 13 coconut shells into the water with a hole in the middle, with the first shell sank, one passage was finished.
After World War II, fixed rules were introduced, making Muay Thai internationally interesting. In the following decades, many individual, independent associations have repeatedly argued about who practices the "only right" Muay Thai. Thailand's government put an end to the 1995 with the founding of the World Muaythai Council. Since then, Muay Thai associations around the world have been giving this organization its name. On the 26. June 1995 was the first official title fight.
The fighting style
Muay Thai is a full contact sport for all distances. Characteristic and probably the most well-known of us are the tibia kicks on the thigh and rib area of the opponent. Elbows and knees are also used, and clinching is absolutely permissible in Thai boxing. Depending on the rules and professional level, knee kicks to the head are also allowed, in which the opponent's head may even be pulled with the fists towards the knee. The high risk of injury makes Thai boxing one of the toughest martial arts in the world.
Thai boxing today
Today, men and women can train in Muay Thai schools. By no means everyone puts on competitions. For many, it's just sports, some learn the techniques of self-defense and others are inspired by the artistry of this martial art. Children often start their tough training at the age of six and have their first fights between eight and ten years old. Mid-twenties, the professional boxers have then already up to 150 fighting behind them. The burden on the body is enormous, not least because of the frequent injuries, which is why for most athletes around the age of thirty their active time is over. In Thailand, bets are made at betting events and the fighters often receive a share of the wagers. In addition, Thai boxers enjoy great respect and respect.
Fights today are divided into three to five rounds. The duration of a round depends on the weight class of the fighters and is a maximum of three minutes. The classifications start with the light flyweight from 43 kilos and end with the super heavyweight over 91 kilos. The equipment includes boxing gloves, mask and depth protection. Headshots are generally prohibited today. Looking up or standing when the opponent is on the ground, as well as blows and kicks to the back of the head and into the genitals are not allowed, but are partially tolerated in Thailand.
Muay Thai on Koh Phangan
We do not like the super-sized halls here, but you can look good from any seat to the ring. In Had Rin and Thong Sala fights take place at irregular intervals (in the high season more often, rarely in the low season). Look for posters and watch the loudspeaker car for the dates. It is a great experience, the hall is cooking and not infrequently the favor of the public changes to the defeated fighter, because this simply gives everything!
If you want to try Thai boxing yourself, you can visit Drop in classes, book one-to-one lessons or whole packages. Every man and woman, no matter how fit or not, is welcome. For example, Muay Thai Chinnarach enjoys a very good reputation in Nai Wok, just after Thong Sala. One Blue Sports Club (Thongsala) and Evolve Health Club (Srithanu) offer a wider choice of martial arts, including the gym.
