Muay Thai
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Muay Thai (Thai 
, RTGS Muai Thai [mua̯j tʰaj]; German Thaiboxen), the national sport of Thailand, is a martial art that spread worldwide in the 20th century.
The classical Thai boxing, Muay Thai Boran, includes fighting with different weapons as well as movements that go beyond the weaponless techniques of today's Muay Thai. Krabi Krabong (short and long weapon) refers to fighting with different weapons, such as Krabi (rapier), Daab (sword), Plong or Sri Sock (stick), Ngauw (stick with a short sword attachment), Dung, Kaen, Mai Sun and Loh (shield).
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Muay Thai Training
Definition
Muay Thai developed over centuries from traditional martial arts of Thailand. When sword and spear became useless, the warrior used his legs, fists and elbows to fight. The traditional way is called Muay Thai Boran (Boran = traditional, old; word borrowed from the Pali language).
History
The first official ring for a Thai boxing competition was used in 1921 and in 1929 boxing gloves were used for the first time. Before that, only hand bandages were used for fighting. The groin protection was made of coconut shells. Until 1929, 13 coconut shells, which had a hole in the middle and were placed in water, were considered the measure of time for one round. With the first shell that sank, the passage was finished. After that year, set round times were introduced, ranging from 2 × 2 minutes to a maximum of 5 × 3 minutes, depending on the class of competition. Muay Thai gained more and more importance after the Second World War by introducing fixed rules. A multitude of individual independent federations arose, which were always in dispute with each other. The disputes only came to an end when the government founded the World Muaythai Council in 1995. All Muay Thai federations worldwide are now under this organization. The first official title fight was held on June 26, 1995. As currently many Muay Thai schools only encourage their fighters to make good bets in the ring and win, the traditional style is taking more and more of a back seat. The former King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej therefore supported pure Muay Thai academies, like the Muay Thai Institute, where the students do not have to worry about money and instead learn the classical style and fight in the traditional way.
Questions and Answers
Q: What is Thai Boxing?
A: Thai boxing, also known as Muay Thai, is a combat sport and martial art that has been developed in Thailand. It is referred to as the "art of eight limbs" because it uses both hands, elbows, knees, and legs to attack an opponent.
Q: Where else are similar martial arts found?
A: Similar martial arts can be found in Cambodia, Laos, Burma and Malaysia.
Q: How did Muay Thai develop?
A: Muay Thai inherited fighting techniques from old Cambodian martial arts when Thailand used to be part of Cambodia.
Q: What type of kicks are more effective in competition?
A: Although high kicks to the head may seem more powerful or forceful, persons with special skills and knowledge of this sport declare that low kicks, elbows and knees are more effective for those who fight.
Q: What type of ceremony do fighters take part in before a fight?
A: Before a fight takes place fighters will take part in a long ceremony which serves as preparation by stretching their muscles.
Q: How does one train for Thai boxing?
A: Training for Thai boxing is known for its strength and firmness with modern workouts including both strength (weightlifting/dumbbells) and cardio (running). Some fighters even train by kicking hard objects such as metal poles which aims to harden the eight members of the body so being hit with the shinbone of the fighter is often compared to being hit with a baseball stick.
Q: How does it differ from other martial arts such as karate or boxing?
A: Almost every act of moving in Thai boxing uses the whole body while turning hips into each kick or blow with fist making attacks slower but more powerful than those seen in karate or boxing.
