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Female Muay Thai Fighters
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Muay Thai is a highly combative martial art that is based on the eight limbs of the body - hands, elbows, feet and knees. It utilizes punches, kicks, knees, elbows and grappling. Originally from Thailand, it was purportedly designed for the battlefields of Siam.
Muay Thai History
For many centuries people in Thailand had to defend themselves and from imperialistic invaders. A form of close, hand-to-hand combat best suited for the kind of rough-terrain battle they were fighting was developed. King Naresuan the Great (1555-1605), made Muay Thai a required part of military training. In the old days, Muay Thai was much more dangerous in its earlier form mainly due to there being no safety gear for the fighters. There have been many changes over the years and rules and regulations added to ensure safety of the participants. These days Muay Thai has a global following of loyal fans and fighters. The World Muay Thai Council was established in 1995 by a Thai cabinet resolution in order to promote Muay Thai internationally.
Muay Thai Rules
Muay Thai matches usually have from 3 to 5 rounds. The rounds are generally between 2 and 3 minutes. Official Muay Thai Rules provide for no additional rounds. Before the fight begins participants pay respect to their families, teachers, God, King and Queen by performing a "Ram Muay" dance in the ring. Before the fight, contestants wear a headband and armbands. The headband, which is formally referred to as mongkhol, brings luck to the person wearing it because it has been blessed by a monk or the contestant's teacher. Buddhism and teacher splay important roles in the life of Thais so the headband is both a symbol of lucky and spirituality. After the Ram Muay dance it is removedr. The armbands are believed to offer protection and are removed when the fight has ended.
Muay Thai Techniques
Similar to boxing you'll find such classics as the cross, the hook, the jab and uppercut. Then there are lethal kicks delivered to the leg, body and the head. A very effective women's Muay Thai strike is the powerful front kick which is often used like a jab to create distance between an opponent and oneself. This kick is also thrown to the abdomen or face. The Muay Thai round kick drives the shin bone into the body like a baseball bat.
Elbows are used like knifes. A downward angle elbow aimed above the eye will slice through the eyebrow, causing blood to drip into the eye, blinding the opponent.
Knees can be thrown almost anywhere to an opponents body; leg, ribcage, abdomen and head.
Unlike in boxing where fighters are separated when they tie up, Muay Thai fighters are allowed to become engaged in a clinch and wrestle for leverage and positioning while creating openings for knees and elbows.
Fighters wear gloves that cannot weigh less than 6-ounces. Fighters are required to fight bare-foot but ankle supports are allowed.
Matches can be decided by either a decision or a knockout. Like boxing there are three judges and a referee.
Women's Muay Thai in Thailand
Female bouts were held in the 1960's at Bangkok's Lumpinee Stadium. Thai fans would neither watch nor wager on the women's matches so they were soon cancelled. Throughout the 70's and 80's the only place to see women fight were at provincial temple fairs and festivals. Things are gradually changing and different stadiums in Thailand now work to different rules. Although the two main boxing arenas in Bangkok continue to ban women from fighting, other arenas have men and women’s boxing rings. There are many Muay Thai training camps in Thailand that now embrace women's fighting.
Other Women's Fighting Styles
Karate I
Muay Thai I
Boxing I
Kickboxing I
Taekwondo I
Jiu-Jitsu |
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