Muay Thai
MUAYTHAI - THAIBOXING
The official international name of the sport is muaythai, in Finnish it is more common to talk about Thainyrkkeily or use the English translation thaiboxing.
Muay Thai is a stand-up fighting sport, the range of techniques of which includes various punches, elbows, kicks, knee kicks, holding and defense techniques, as well as vertical wrestling, or Thai wrestling. Muay Thai is a fighting sport that requires skill, technique and tactics, and requires physical and mental qualities. The training is very versatile and in addition to technique and skill, it grows and develops muscle condition, endurance and strength.
There are national and international competitions in Muay Thai, where it is possible to compete in youth and adult divisions up to the World Championship level.
HISTORY OF MUAY THAI
Muay Thai is Thailand's national sport and its history stretches back over 2000 years. The sport is an important part of the country's cultural history and can be seen throughout Thailand. It is estimated that there are approximately 60,000 registered fighters in the country. In its current form, the sport has been practiced since the 1930s.
Even though training is aimed at fighting, the sport has developed into an effective and popular form of fitness and self-improvement. Nowadays, even ordinary tourists can get to know the secrets of the sport when visiting Thailand, as Thai training camps have opened their doors to fitness enthusiasts as well.
MUAY THAI IN FINLAND AND THE FINNISH MUAYTHAI ACCOCIATION
The sport arrived in Finland in the early 1980s, brought by the Mustonen brothers, Janne and Kai. The brothers are rightfully honorary members of the Finnish Muaythai Association.
The Finnish Muaythai Federation is a member of the International Federation of Muaythai Amateur (IFMA) and the European Muaythai Federation (EMF).
IFMA acts as the sport's main organization and has established its position in several international sports organizations. Of IFMA's more than 100 member countries, as many as 40 member countries are in the national Olympic committees of their own countries.
IFMA belongs to the following international sports organizations recognized by the International Olympic Committee:
AIMS, Alliance of Independent Recognized Members of Sport
IWGA, International World Games Association
FISU, The International University Sports Federation
SportAccord
TAFISA, The Association of for International Sport for All
IFMA is involved in several social campaigns and projects (e.g. Stop Violence Against Women, Sport is Your Gang, Muaythai Against Drugs), which the Finnish Muaythai Accociation supports or has organized its own counterparts (e.g. work against school bullying in the campaigns "Tough guys don't bully" and "A fighter doesn't bully").