Muay Thai is the combat sport originating from the muay martial arts of Thailand. It utilizes striking an opponent while in upright position, and punctuates the fighting style with various clinching maneuvers.
Art of Eight Weapons
Known as the “Art of Eight Weapons”, Muay Thai makes use of different combat techniques using the elbows, fists, knees, shins and feet instead of the usual two (fists) or four (hands and feet) that is typical of other martial art forms. It is also referred to as “The Sport of Kings” because of the support Muay Thai got from Thailand’s royalty. Each body part is likened to a weapon when used to attack.
History
The word muay comes from the Sanskrit word mavya that means “to bind together”. There is little written account on the sport’s actual history before the 20th century, though the it is believed that the current sport originated in an ancient style of fighting called muay boran which dates back several centuries.
The conditions and equipment of early Muay Thai fighters were basic to non-existent. Fighters fought with their bare hands, no gloves or wrappings of any sort. There were no restrictions as to what can and cannot be hit, and opponents were matched randomly. Practice gear was found naturally. Banana trees became kicking targets, while running in and out of water was the chosen method for improving stamina.
Organized Sport
As Thailand settled to a peaceful and prosperous country, Muay Thai gained support and popularity among the royals. King Rama V often invited fighters to compete in the city. Years later, the succeeding King, Rama VII built the sport’s first arena in Suam Gularb, which began the organization of Muay Thai as a sport. In the 1920s, the sport really grew in popularity. Training camps were built and elements of Western boxing influenced the sport, including protective gear and practice equipment for the fighters.
Fighting Style
Muay Thai styles and techniques can be classified into two groups: major techniques called mai mai, and minor techniques called luk mai. In traditional Muay Thai, fighters take turns striking blows. This kind of form is not used much in contemporary fights. Muay Thai makes use of the entire body, making it a full-contact sport.
Body conditioning is important with Muay Thai, as it requires a high level of fitness, strength and stamina. Compared to other martial arts, the frequency of fights are higher going as most as once every other week. Professional Muay Thai fighters often have short careers, and end up becoming coaches of new fighters after a certain period of time.
Emerging Popularity
In the recent years, interest in Muay Thai has increased, thanks mostly in part to the emergence of the mixed martial arts and the number of fighters using the style during competition. It is an effective way of fighting, given its use of nearly all body parts to fight and defend (as opposed to most martial arts which utilize either the hands or the feet) and it offers a wide array of attacks and techniques. It can also be adapted to suit one’s style of fighting, and provide a full body regimen that puts a fighter in tip-top shape.
Here’s a video of Muay Thai inspiration:
