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Muay Thai
From MartialWiki English
| มวยไทย, | |
| "Muay Thai" | |
| Also known as | Thai Boxing, Pahuyuth |
| Origin |  Thailand
|
| Founded by | Unknown |
| Primary focus | striking; kicking |
| Influenced by | Muay Boran, Krabi Krabong |
| Similar to | Muay Lao, Pradal Serey, Tomoi, Lethwei |
Featuring devastating blows delivered from 8 different points on the body, Muay Thai is a martial art that some would say dominates the striking based martial arts. Muay Thai fighters undergo extreme amounts of training and conditioning, some starting as young as five.
Contents |
[edit] Concept
Muay Thai is referred to as "The Art of the Eight Limbs", the eight limbs referring to the parts of the body that are used to attack the opponent (the head, fists, elbows, knees and feet).
[edit] Philosophy
Coming soon.
[edit] Etymology
มวยไทย stands literally for Thai Boxing.
[edit] Technique
In its original form, Muay Thai consisted of an arsenal of nine weapons - the head, fists, elbows, knees and feet - known collectively as na-wa arwud. However in modern Muay Thai, both amateur and professional, headbutting an opponent is no longer allowed.
To strike and bind the opponent for both offensive and defensive purposes, small amounts of stand-up grappling are used: the clinch. Formal Muay Thai techniques are divided into two groups: Mae Mai or major techniques and Luk Mai or minor techniques. Muay Thai is often a fighting art of attrition, where opponents exchange blows with one another.
[edit] Weapons
Muay Thai does not feature weapons however the art Krabi Krabong from which Muay Thai evolved does.
[edit] History
Muay Thai's history is rich and varied. Please consult the Muay Thai article on Wikipedia for more information.
[edit] Culture
One of the most important traditions of Muay Thai is Wai Khru (Paying Respect to Teachers). In order to become a fully-fledged Muay Thai fighter, a person has to pass through a series of ceremonies. First comes the Initiation as a Trainee Fighter Ceremony (Kuen Khru), in which the khru muay accepts young fighters as his students and pledges to teach them to the best of his ability. After fighters have been accepted, they must demonstrate a good conduct, diligence and endurance, in addition to training as hard as they can, following implicitly all the teacher's rules.
During their apprenticeship, young fighters will experience the second type of Wai Khru ritual, the Annual Homage-Paying Ceremony (Wai Khru Prajam Pee). This annual ceremony is usually held on Muay Thai Day (March 17) for young fighters to pay respect to their teachers and souls of teachers long passed away. The ceremony then progresses to the students honoring all the teachers present, who will mark sacred symbols on the fighters' forehead in order to bestow prosperity and success upon them - a custom known as jerm. The ceremony culminates with the third form of Wai Khru, the Ritual Dance of Homage (Wai Khru Ram Muay) performed by the fighters as a mark of respect.
It is only when fighters have passed all these three milestones (initiation, training and participation in contests) that they are entitled to call themselves as real Muay Thai fighters. When fighters have satisfied their teachers on all these counts, then they can participate in the fourth Wai Khru ritual, the Initiation as a Teacher Ceremony (Khrob Khru), which bestows on them the rank of khru muay and again involves a performance of the Ritual Dance of Homage.[2]
[edit] Genealogy
Coming Soon.
[edit] Variants
Muay Thai has similar styles in different countries, for example: Pradal Serey in Cambodia, Tomoi in Malaysia, Muay Lao in Laos and Lethwei in Myanmar (Burma)
[edit] Notable practitioners
Coming soon.
[edit] In fiction
- Bruce Irvin - a character from the video game series Tekken uses Muay Thai.
[edit] Get involved
- Melbourne Martial Arts Academy - features Muay Thai classes.
[edit] Links
- Oceania Muaythai - organisation of Muay Thai in Australia.
[edit] References
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