Thai fights are competition fights carried out as a sport in Thailand and that involves huge stand up striking, and use of different grappling methods. A professional league exists in Thailand controlled by the World Thai Council specifically for the sport. The use of all limbs, that is knees, fists, elbows and feet has earned it the popular title of the art of eight limbs.
In the old days, the technique was traditionally used as an actual fighting combat in warfare, and was only later practiced as a sport. The opponents would meet in a ring in front of spectators gathered to watch the match as entertainment. As time went by, the fights became an integral part of the local traditions and celebrations of the people of Thailand, especially those organized in the temples. Later on, fighters were given hemp rope that they tied around their hands and forearms to protect themselves. This type of match was called the muay khat chueak.
Muay grew widely in the 19th century with the advance of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), during which the country became at peace, such that the technique was only used for leisure, self-defense, recreation, physical exercise and personal advancement. A boxing ring was introduced; the first one in Thailand, in 1921, and referees were brought in. Modern gloves and hard groin protectors were introduced in the sport and given to the fighters.
When knots were tied on the ropes on the knuckles, the strikes became more severe and damaging to the fighters. This was evidenced when an opponent was killed in the ring, prompting the use of gloves and cotton coverlets as replacements. The previous version known as muay boran became extinct, and is modernly used as a presentation form of art.
The latter is now practiced mainly as a presentation art form. There are two groups of muay Thai fighting combats: major techniques (mae mai ) and luk mai ( minor techniques). In any case, most of the techniques involve the movement of the whole body, circling the hip when taking every kick, punch, elbow or block.
Several techniques are used to prevent attacks. Redirection is used when a defender wades off an attack by changing its direction, making it to miss its designation, or blocking to prevent a strike by stopping it before it reaches him/her. The defender can also use avoidance, in which he/she moves his/her body or part to avoid being hit, and then finds space to counter attack.
The evasion technique is used by the defender by moving the whole body to prevent an attack, and the later moves it back to counter. A combination of the disruption technique, and the anticipation technique can be used when countering an attack, such as a roundhouse kick before it lands. This helps the fighter gain a positive advantage during the fight.
In the past, muay Thai was used to improve body fitness and toughness, which is required when participating in a match. The training can be in the form of running, jumping, shadowboxing, medicine ball exercises, weight training ,abdominal exercises, and bodyweight resistance exercises. These are useful to the health and fitness of the fighter.
In the old days, the technique was traditionally used as an actual fighting combat in warfare, and was only later practiced as a sport. The opponents would meet in a ring in front of spectators gathered to watch the match as entertainment. As time went by, the fights became an integral part of the local traditions and celebrations of the people of Thailand, especially those organized in the temples. Later on, fighters were given hemp rope that they tied around their hands and forearms to protect themselves. This type of match was called the muay khat chueak.
Muay grew widely in the 19th century with the advance of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), during which the country became at peace, such that the technique was only used for leisure, self-defense, recreation, physical exercise and personal advancement. A boxing ring was introduced; the first one in Thailand, in 1921, and referees were brought in. Modern gloves and hard groin protectors were introduced in the sport and given to the fighters.
When knots were tied on the ropes on the knuckles, the strikes became more severe and damaging to the fighters. This was evidenced when an opponent was killed in the ring, prompting the use of gloves and cotton coverlets as replacements. The previous version known as muay boran became extinct, and is modernly used as a presentation form of art.
The latter is now practiced mainly as a presentation art form. There are two groups of muay Thai fighting combats: major techniques (mae mai ) and luk mai ( minor techniques). In any case, most of the techniques involve the movement of the whole body, circling the hip when taking every kick, punch, elbow or block.
Several techniques are used to prevent attacks. Redirection is used when a defender wades off an attack by changing its direction, making it to miss its designation, or blocking to prevent a strike by stopping it before it reaches him/her. The defender can also use avoidance, in which he/she moves his/her body or part to avoid being hit, and then finds space to counter attack.
The evasion technique is used by the defender by moving the whole body to prevent an attack, and the later moves it back to counter. A combination of the disruption technique, and the anticipation technique can be used when countering an attack, such as a roundhouse kick before it lands. This helps the fighter gain a positive advantage during the fight.
In the past, muay Thai was used to improve body fitness and toughness, which is required when participating in a match. The training can be in the form of running, jumping, shadowboxing, medicine ball exercises, weight training ,abdominal exercises, and bodyweight resistance exercises. These are useful to the health and fitness of the fighter.
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