Muay thai
history
Thai boxing or Muay Thai "boxing of the Tai people", is a martial art created for the Thai military in the XVI century. It is classified in the West among the boxes feet-fists, that is to say the so-called "sports" boxes.
Today, Thai boxing is practiced around the world by people of all ages and abilities. This art is derived from ancestral martial practices, especially in what is called in the West muay boran (traditional boxing) and krabi krabong (practice with weapons) which, like Thai boxing, requires physical skills such as the flexibility, reflexes, power and strength, but also mental abilities like will, courage and respect. Muay Thai is therefore a descendant of muay boran. In the latter we find several styles from regionalism and some traditional martial practices
The practice of Thai boxing is considered as national sport in Thailand. Many small training clubs (called camps) dot the country and welcome young boys from the age of seven. Major fights are regularly broadcast every Saturday and Sunday by the television channels. The two most famous stadiums in Bangkok, where the fighting is taking place, are Lumpinee and Rajadamnoen. These places are known around the world and are considered the reference in Muay Thai.
In the country of Siam, the fight takes place in five rounds of three minutes. It is preceded by a ritual dance: the Ram Muay during which the Nak Muay (boxer) wears the Mongkon (band of cloth around the head to show respect to his coach and to optimize his mental perception), which is composed of gestures codified executed by the two adversaries individually and which are specific to each school or style. A small orchestra composed of a drum, a cymbal and a nasal flute, rhythm rounds.
The permitted shots are: punching, elbow, knee, foot and hand-to-hand combat, which gives the opportunity to knee, and may end with an opponent's throw or be interrupted by the referee. Circular kicks are often delivered with the shin. These can be considered as the "basic shots" of the Thai boxer.