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Whilst still very much a sport based in Thailand, Muay Thai Boxing is now gaining acceptance in America and the rest of the western world, with local and international tournaments hosted a lot more frequently. The Thai fighters are very tough opponents to beat due to their technique and conditioning, however the rest of the world is catching up, claiming victories against some of Thai's best.

Modern Muay Thai fights are fought in a ring, very similar to the western boxing matches. Perhaps the most attractive and interesting aspect of Muay Thai is the crowd of spectators that gathers to see a match. With techniques including kicks, punches and the extensive use of knees and elbows, Muay Thai is often referred to as the science of 8 limbs.

Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand and it dates back 3000 years Muay Thai was used by the Thai military for unarmed combat training. Many modern Muay Thai fighters have taken up the sport as a career path. I think it has gained such popularity, especially in Thailand, because many Thai national people saw it as a way to make a good living if they were successful at it. You have to remember the average income in Thailand is pretty low, so the attraction to earn a lot more money doing something they love and are good at was strong.

Fighting Strategies of Muay Thai is the first book to reveal actual fighting strategies and tactics as taught in the boxing camps in Thailand. As you may expect, the conditioning regimen in Muay Thai is legendary for its intensity and rigorous demands. This is an age old question; which fighting style is better? Everyone who practices Muay Thai will say Muay Thai is better and the same with Karate.

Muay Thai kickboxing is no longer a man's sport, with many women nowadays coming to boxing gyms to train for fights, get fit, tone up and learn self defense. Muay Thai is not about throwing wild punches. It teaches crisp strikes that are fast and dangerous. If you have watched a Muay Thai fight in real life or on TV, you would know that while Muay Thai is famous for its leg kicks, the great fighters turn to the neck kick for knockout power. The key to beating the opponent in a Muay Thai fight is shin kicks, delivered in roundhouses to the legs, ribs, and head.

It is believed that Muay Thai, or Thai Kickboxing, is where most forms of modern kickboxing originate. It primarily utilitzes the hands, elbows, feet, knees and legs to strike, but practicioners can also combine grappling to strike their opponent. Grappling is normally performed while standing, unlike other martial arts such as judo. Techniques derive from the ancient manual of war, the Chupasart.

Though the Chupasart detailed the effective use of weapons such as the battleaxe and sword, Muay Thai was formed from adopting these same techniques without the use of weaponry. Rather, parts of the body became the weapon.

Muay Thai began as a fighting discipline for Thai people well before the 1500s (the exact date is unknown). As a means of self defence, it was used by a Thai person to either defend their plot of land on which they lived, or to defend their country from foreign attack. Therefore, from layman to nobleman, Muay Thai was practiced by virtually everybody at every level of society.

In 1584, during the reign of King Naresuan, Muay Thai became a sport to keep soldiers in shape during a time when Thailand was at peace. More techniques were added or modified, and rules were added to change it into a sport. A match is, in fact, quite ceremonious, and involves bowing and other Most of the rules that exist in recent times were set in the 1930s.

For the Muay Thai practitioner, the right equipment is essential for a training regiment that is grueling and tedious. The right equipment includes boxing gloves, protective gear, and uniforms. The uniform is generally a pair of nylon or satin shorts, with a wide elasticized waist and legs wide enough to perform high roundhouse kicks. Normally, they are brightly coloured and have beautiful designs.

Muay Thai boxing gloves are different from regular boxing gloves. They are more compact and fit fairly snugly. Bulky boxing gloves inhibit the ability to perform a Muay Thai clinch, a sort of grappling that allows one to grab their opponent and strike them at close contact.

In training, protective gear for the head, chest, and shins is often worn to minimize injury. However, some believe that wearing protection prevents one from conditioning the body and "toughening up". It is recommended that in the beginning, protection is worn until the practitioner becomes comfortable with their ability, and their tolerance for pain improves. Without a doubt, purchasing high quality equipment will improve your performance.

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This article was brought to you by www.bambamboo.com/" title="muay thai boxing gloves">Muay Thai Boxing Gloves

The most well known sport in Thailand is the Thai boxing or Muay Thai. It is a sport which needs a lot of strength, stamina and adaptability. It has a spiritual element too which is normally not linked with sports.

It is a form of combat between two fighters. Records show that this sport existed as early 1411, but it is possible that Muay Thai was in existence even before that. In 1920, Muay Thai was banned as it had become extremely violent and dangerous for the fighters. However, in 1937, the sport was revived and the fighters had to wear protective gear as the new rules and regulations that were laid down.

The spiritual aspect in Muay Thai can be seen before the sport starts. The fighters kneel down to pray to their wai kru or teacher before the event begins and they also perform a dance which is a bit of warm up besides being a ritual. This dance form is called Ram Muay. Ram Muay differs according to individual training camps. The dance is accompanied by music played by the band. The music is also known as phipat music.

The participant wears a tennis racket-like hoop on the head during the dance ceremony and then the coach removes it to indicate the start of the fight. Fighters wear bands containing a Buddha amulet and / or some kind of herb to bring good luck to them.

The actual boxing has five rounds and each round is for 3 minutes. There are three judges, who are seated in three different boxes on three different sides of the boxing ring. Points are given for each punch that lands on the opponent. In between the rounds, fighters can rest. Trainers use the rest as an opportunity to soak the fighters with water and advice them.

Muay Thai is considered to be a difficult sport and requires the fighters to be in peak physical condition.

Learning Muay Thai in Thailand is always a special experience.

Today Muay Thai might have been become very popular in various other countries as well, resulting into top level training infrastructures in those countries.

However, the training experience in no other country can be matched with that in Thailand. It is not a question of training facilities or infrastructure, but of the ambiance.

Thailand is the country that gave birth to Muay Thai. And from the early days of its birth to date this great martial art has enjoyed immense popularity, craze and passion in Thailand.

True, today public craze for Muay Thai can be witnessed in other countries as well. But the enthusiasm and madness found in Thailand is unparalleled. Virtually every second Thai just eats, sleeps and drinks Muay Thai. This great art of fighting is a quintessential part of the Thai culture, enjoying almost a demi-god status in the Thai society.

The Thais' passion for the sport is reflected in the huge public craze enjoyed by every Muay Thai fight in every Muay Thai event. All the successful Muay Thai fighters enjoy a position of high status, glamour and recognition. They enjoy a huge load of love and affection that nobody can overlook.

This unique level of love, craze and madness has given a special status to Muay Thai in Thailand. You can certainly witness public craze about this sport in other countries. But that craze comes nowhere near what you will witness in Thailand.

This unique ambiance makes learning Muay Thai in Thailand an outstanding experience. You will always have the feeling of learning the art on the soil of its origin. It alone will give you a spectacular charm and pleasure, adding enchantment to your training.

Where in Thailand will you train?

There are a huge number of Muay Thai gyms in Thailand. Apart from the capital Bangkok, there are many a gym in other cities as well. For example, you can learn Muay Thai boxing in Phuket in Thailand.

No communication problem

Do not get tense about having any language problem. You are not supposed to learn Thai language to train in Thailand. English is quite in practice in Thailand. And no person who speaks English can have any communication problem in that country. So you will have no communication problem in Thailand despite being unable to speak a single Thai word.

So go ahead

So why should you wait anymore? Spot a quality gym in Thailand, and join it at the earliest.