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5. Muay Thai

Added 28 Jul 2017 by GFORCE

A combat sport from Thailand, also known as Thai Boxing that has been accepted as being at least 1000 years old.

The first Thai army was created in 1238 (Buddhist years), the recorded history shows that a need to defend the capital city of Sukhothai created many wars between neighbouring tribes and kingdoms. Soldiers were taught hand-to-hand combat and how to use the entire body as a weapon, which is what eventually evolved into Muay Thai.

Muay Thai is referred to as “The Art of Eight Limbs” using eight points of contact, the body mimics weapons used at war. The hands become the sword and dagger, the shins and forearms are hardened in training to act as armour against blows, the elbow as a heavy mace or hammer and the legs and knees become to axe and staff. The body operates as one unit, trying to spin the enemy to the ground for the kill.

The modern sport was created in the early 1900s and the IFMA was founded in 1933. It has been adapted so that contestants wear protective head gear, compete in 3 round games and women compete under the same rules at all events, including the World Games this week.

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