Muay Thai kickboxing originated in ancient Thailand as a form of martial art for soldiers. It employs fists, elbows, knees, and feet, and is known as “the science of eight limbs.” It has evolved into a sport that emphasizes mental and physical stamina and has influenced many types of kickboxing sports. It gained popularity as a spectator sport in Thailand during the Sukothai era and has since become more organized with codified rules, weight divisions, and a ranking system.
Thai kickboxing, known as Muay Thai in the Thai language, is a form of martial art that evolved in ancient Thailand. Influenced by other Asian martial arts, it was meant to give soldiers an advantage in unarmed combat, especially if they lost their weapons on the battlefield. The modern form of Muay Thai kickboxing has been heavily influenced by Western boxing, and has in turn influenced many types of kickboxing sports.
Known as “the science of eight limbs,” Thai kickboxing can be an extreme martial art, employing fists, elbows, knees, and feet; modern rules do not allow aiming for the head and groin. Fighters use various striking techniques such as the hook, jab, swing, uppercut, and rear punch, and various types of kicks such as the teep or jab kick, the low kick, and the roundhouse or spinning kick. A kickboxer can use his elbows to land hooks or uppercuts, and his knees can be used to deliver powerful pushes, particularly when opponents are fighting together.
However, muay thai is not just about effective fighting, but also about developing mental and physical stamina. Sport builds stamina, gets the body in shape and stimulates the immune system. Because it emphasizes qualities like self-discipline, self-awareness, and self-confidence, it is useful for reducing stress and treating anger management issues.
The martial art, once the preserve of soldiers, gained popularity as a spectator sport in Thailand during the Sukothai era between 1238 and 1377. Training camps sprang up across the country, with students living with their teachers and adopting the name of school as his last name. There were different regional versions of Thai kickboxing, each with separate fighting strategies. Martial arts competitions between rival camps were held during religious festivals and other public occasions, and kickboxing champions were highly revered by the nobility; In the then Thai capital, Ayutthaya, the King had an elite personal guard division made up of Muay Thai fighters.
In the early days, Thai kickboxing had few or no rules. Fighters did not have to be in the same weight class, could target the head and groin areas, and fought bare-fisted on a dirt floor, usually in a straight line to the knockout. Later, contest rounds were introduced and the practice of Muay Kaad Chuek became common; in this, the wrestlers tie their fists with hemp ropes to protect their hands and to give them extra strength. Hemp-bound fists could cause considerable damage and, in the 1920s, resulted in the death of a kickboxer in the ring. After that, the use of western boxing gloves for fighting prevailed, as well as the use of some body protectors.
It was also in the late 1920s that the sport became more organized, with codified rules, weight divisions, and a ranking system. Thai kickboxing became known as Muay Thai in this period. Training regimens for wrestlers were developed, ring construction and matches were refereed. The sport got its start in many Western countries, and this eventually led to the formation of the Muay Thai World Championship.
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