Movement of the activity to bring the sport of “Muay Thai” to show the virtual competition during the 2024 Olympic Games “Paris 2024” in Paris, France, between July 30 – August 8, 2024 under the push of the International Federation of Muay Thai Associations (IFMA) led by Dr. Sakchai Tapsuwan, President of the International Federation of Muay Thai Associations (IFMA), Stephan Fox, Secretary-General of IFMA, joining forces with the French National Olympic Committee and “Buakaw Banchamek”, Lieutenant Sombat Banchamek, a 42-year-old world-famous Muay Thai boxer from Samrong Thap District, Surin Province. In addition to the virtual Muay Thai show competition, the said activity also promotes Muay Thai, the performance of Muay Thai drums, and the Wai Khru ceremony according to the correct Muay Thai art and culture for athletes and officials from various countries to be aware of the art of Muay Thai originating from Thailand, which is considered an important step to fulfill the dream of Thai people to push for the s
port of “Muay Thai” to be included in the Summer Olympic Games in the future.
Most recently, on August 4, IFMA led by Stefan Fox, IFMA Secretary General, proceeded with organizing the One Standard Muaythai (OSM) training for the second consecutive day at Baan Muaythai, 2nd floor, Teddy Reiner Arena, Paris, France, for the last day. Children and youth in Paris received training to find representatives to join the Muay Thai show activity at Club France, Paris, France, between August 5-6.
The training of OSM Muay Thai was attended by leading Thai boxing teachers, including Associate Professor Dr. Anan Meksawan, Dr. Chao Watayota, and ‘Kru Din’ Mr. Witawat Khasom, ‘Ai-un’ Patchayaporn Khasom, ‘Kru Tum’ Mr. Anusorn Injai, and ‘Kru Ohm’ Mr. Apichote Saiyanart. Baan Muay Thai was established as part of the ‘Thailand Showcase’ project, which the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) organized to showcase Thailand’s sports, culture, and traditions to foreigners, which will lead to Thailand’s bid to host the 2030 Youth
Olympic Games.
Nattapol Williams Boonpeng, one of the OSM Muay Thai trainees who is 26 years old half Thai, half Cambodian, half French, revealed that the reason he likes Muay Thai is because he has followed it since he was a child. He also especially likes Buakaw Banchamek, Saenchai PK Saenchai Muay Thai Gym, Samart Payakaroon, and Somrak Khamsing. He also studied the history of Nai Khanomtom, so he fell in love with Muay Thai. He also enjoys the charm of Muay Thai and went to watch Muay Thai fights at Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium. When he was a child, he played badminton and ran. However, when he grew up, he came to love Muay Thai and the ability to use Muay Thai weapons. He is currently training in Muay Thai. He is glad to have joined the OSM Muay Thai activity. Whenever he has the chance, he will join the Muay Thai activity.
Dr. Chao Watayotha, a famous Muay Thai teacher, said that he was very happy to see Muay Thai being promoted in the 2024 Olympic Games. In the past 3 days, we have seen many intereste
d members, including Muay Thai teachers, children, and youth, of all levels and ages, who have come together to continue the art of Muay Thai and bring it back to promote it in their own countries. This is of great value to Thailand. Today, we have come this far, which is very pleasing. We must do OSM Muay Thai because we must make the use of fists, feet, knees, elbows, movements, and weapons the same all over the world.
The activity program for bringing ‘Muay Thai’ to compete in a virtual competition during the 2024 Olympic Games ‘Paris 2024’ in Paris, France. After this, on August 5-6, the French National Olympic Committee, as the host of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games ‘Paris 2024,’ allowed IFMA to organize a virtual ‘Muay Thai’ show competition at Club France, Paris, during the 2024 Olympic Games. 28 IFMA member countries sent Muay Thai boxers to compete in a full virtual competition. There was a performance of Muay Thai drums and pipes, and the Wai Khru ceremony, in accordance with the correct Muay Thai
art and culture, so that athletes and officials from various countries could learn about the art of Muay Thai that originated in Thailand.
In Thailand, there are 3 Muay Thai boxers participating: 2 fighters in the 48 kg category, “Domethong Luk Jaopho Rongtom” Suphanat Petchrak, and 48 kg women’s category, “Nong Nook M.K. Chaiyaphum” Kulnat On-ok, who is a student of Buakaw Banchamek, while the other one is “Ice” Thanawan Thongduang in the Wai Khru category. All 3 of them are the latest world champions from the 2024 Muay Thai World Championship, “IFMA Senior World Championship 2024” in the city of Patras, Greece.
Then on August 7, there will be a signing ceremony and promotion of Muay Thai at the Olympic House, attended by Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, President of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Association, President of the Peruvian Olympic Committee and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, followed by a gala dinner for members attending the event.
Source: Thai News Agency