Muay Thai is the National Sport of the Kingdom of Thailand. It is known as the Sport of Kings and The Art of 8 Limbs. Called so due to it’s use of the 8 points of striking allowed; fists, elbows, knees, kicks along with beautiful faints, sweeps, clinch and throws. It’s the fastest growing ring sport in the world today, but has it’s roots in the ancient Siamese battlefield art of Krabi Krabong. The early unarmed bouts “Muay Boran” often pitted various combatants with no weight classes, no time limits and no protective equipment. Kings themselves took part in matches such as King Prachao Sua and King Naresuan. As it’s popularity grew stadiums were erected to house events. In the early 20th century organized events began to implement; standard rules, refeees, weight classes, boxing gloves replaced braided ropes, fighter safety equipment was added to prevent the casualties that occurred fighting the old way (Muay Boran). Bouts still take place today under special rules sets known as Muay Kard Chuek that still utilize the cotton/hemp cord hand wraps. Muay Thai today is practiced around the globe. In 2021 the International Olympic Committee (IOC) certified Muay Thai as an Olympic sport and granted the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) permanent membership of the committee on July 20 at the 138th IOC session in Tokyo, Japan. Traditional versions are still utilized today by many Law Enforcement, State & Federal Agencies, Military and Paramilitary Units worldwide.
