8 Amazing Muay Thai Facts! - Brief Martial Arts

8

facts

about Muay Thai Today, Muay Thai is widely known as one of the most efficient striking

martial

arts

due to its use and popularity in MMA. However, we sometimes forget the deep heritage and traditions it comes from and some of the reasons it exists. Here are eight essential

facts

about Muay Thai that make it an

amazing

and unique

martial

art. Fact I Although in literature Muay Thai means Thay Boxing, it is also known as the "Art of the Eight Limbs" or the "Science of the Eight Limbs", because it uses punches, kicks, elbows and knees, thus using eight "points" of contact", unlike the "two points" (fists) of boxing and the "four points" (hands and feet) used in other more regulated combat sports, such as kickboxing and savate.

Fact II The Thais were on constant guard against attacks from neighboring countries, including Burma and Cambodia. Needing an efficient way to protect oneself, Muay Thai became a major part of not only Thai culture, but was also a mandatory training part of the Thai military. Thus, Muay Thai evolved in the midst of war as the military continued to train soldiers for centuries in the art of Muay Thai, refining the skills, tactics and techniques of wars against invaders. Fact III Being partly a product of constant battles, Muay Thai uses the body to imitate weapons of war. The hands become sword and dagger; the shins and forearms were hardened during training to act as armor against blows, the legs and knees were turned into axes and batons, and the elbows were turned into knocking down opponents as with a heavy mace or hammer.

The desired end result was for the body to function as a single unit. Fact IV Muay Thai, with its rich history and culture, is full of honor, respect and dignity. It is sometimes called "The Sport of Kings" as the Thai monarchy has always played a leading role in the development of art and sport. The same values ​​were applied here. One of the kings, who wanted a fair fight, was known as "The Tiger King", who was famous for dressing up in a tiger mask while competing in tournaments to hide his royal heritage, since if the other Thai fighters had known that was their King, they would have bowed before him and begged him not to fight out of deep love and respect.

But the King hid his identity to have a fair and close fight with each of his opponents, thus being a great example of the values ​​of this martial art. Fact V While in many Dojos and martial

arts

today, a new practitioner may feel that he deserves respect and undivided attention just because he paid the monthly fee, when young people want to enter a traditional Muay Thai gym in Thailand to become a fighter . First, they must respect their teacher and give respect and honor to the gym where they will train. There may also be a significant initiation in which the prospective student must spend time meditating in a temple or perform some ritual tasks.

Students are also usually expected to give some type of gift or offering, such as white linen cloth, flowers, or incense, along with a small monetary offering. Fact VI One of the oldest traditions of Muay Thai is a dance called “RAM MUAY”, which every fighter performs before a fight. Before each fight, the boxer “seals the ring” by turning it three times, after which he performs the ritual dance, showing respect to his opponents and the opposing sides, as well as to parents, teachers and any religion in which they believe. . Many boxers will do it. They also show off their techniques in this warm-up giving the perfect opportunity for their opponents to study them.

For some boxers, Ram Muay represents deep spiritual beliefs, while for others it is the perfect warm-up before a fight to prepare the mind and body for competition. Fact VII Thais are known for being superstitious and believing in evil spirits and ghosts. Muay Thai is also influenced by this culture. For centuries, wrestlers have used tattoos, protections, amulets, and special ceremonies to increase their good fortune and protect themselves from bad luck and evil spirits that might follow them into the ring. Some fighters often go to the temple, a sorcerer or a high-ranking priest to have Thai-language inscriptions tattooed on their skin.

The powerful inscriptions are supposed to provide special protection, grant strength, courage, long life or even sexual prowess. Fact IIX Muay Thai fighters often begin training when they are between 6 and 8 years old. They will start fighting between 8 and 10 years of age and can have between 120 and 150 fights, which is 3 times more than a very active boxer, before they turn 24 years old. The typical Muay Thai fighter in Thailand trains many hours a day, but most of them don't do it because he has a good life. Many fighters will fight every 3 or 4 weeks just to be able to support their family.

Unlike boxing in the West, regular Muay Thai fighters in Thailand make very little money from each fight and bring home between $100 and $150 a month, which is barely enough.