You might be wondering, is Muay Thai a martial art? There are several reasons to train in this discipline. Firstly, it is a competitive sport. As such, Muay Thai fighters usually start training at a very young age. In many poor rural communities, fighting is the only source of income. Because of this, these young fighters often fight multiple times a week, and can often be injured.
The sport’s popularity has led to a variety of changes in its rules. First of all, fights are divided into 5 rounds, with a set amount of time for each round. In addition, major stadiums were built to host Muay Thai matches. In Bangkok, the Lumpini Stadium is considered sacred ground for Muay Thai fighters. In other words, Muay Thai matches follow a structured format, just like boxing.
In the 1930s, Queensberry boxing first reached Thailand, and began influencing the local sport. As a result, Muay Thai matches were held in a ring, and there was a time limit for each round. Thailand has made Muay Thai a national sport, and ringside betting has become a frenzied affair. It’s an incredible spectacle, and a great way to start training.
The first Muay Thai tournament took place in 1872. The event was organized by a Thai commander who wanted to boost morale. French fighters were pitted against Thai fighters. After the war, the Muay Thai sport became more competitive. A permanent boxing stadium was built at Suan Khoolab School. Fighters wore hemp and cotton wraps around their hands, and pra-jiats wrapped around their biceps.
