Movement of the activity to bring the sport of “Muay Thai” to show the virtual competition during the 2024 Olympic Games “Paris 2024” in Paris, France, between July 30 – August 8, 2024 under the promotion of the International Federation of Muay Thai Associations (IFMA) led by Dr. Sakchai Tapsuwan, President of the International Federation of Muay Thai Associations (IFMA), Stephan Fox, Secretary-General of IFMA, joining forces with the French National Olympic Committee and “Buakaw Banchamek”, Lieutenant Sombat Banchamek, a 42-year-old world-famous Muay Thai boxer from Samrong Thap District, Surin Province. In addition to the virtual Muay Thai show competition, the said activity also promotes Muay Thai, the performance of Muay Thai drums, and the Wai Khru ceremony according to the correct Muay Thai art and culture for athletes and officials from various countries to learn about the art of Muay Thai originating from Thailand, which is considered an important step to fulfill the dream of Thai people to push for
the sport of “Muay Thai” to be included in the Summer Olympic Games in the future.
The latest was on August 6, the second day of the official Muay Thai show event at Club France in Paris, France, attended by Lt. Col. Momchao Nawaporn Yukol, IFMA executives, Buakaw Banchamek, Lt. Therawat Yiuyim, Buakaw’s manager, the ancient boxing team led by “Kru Din” Mr. Witawat Khasom, founder of Lanna Fighting, the pipe and drum team led by Mr. Naewwit Niyomwong, and a crowd of foreigners who joined the event at Club France, where the host of the 2024 Olympics has organized a large fan zone for sports fans from around the world to relax, eat, shop, do sports activities, train for sports, and showcase the arts and cultures of all nations.
Introducing Muay Thai as a virtual competition during the 2024 Olympic Games is an achievement for IFMA after 31 years of hard work since the establishment of the federation. At the previous Olympics in Tokyo in Japan in 2020, Muay Thai was recognized by the International Olympic Commi
ttee (IOC) as one of the sports that the IOC will consider to include as an official competition in the future. The 2024 Olympics is a good milestone that IFMA has been permitted to participate in the virtual Muay Thai competition event at Club France Paris under the collaboration of IFMA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Royal Thai Embassy in Paris to let foreigners around the world see that Muay Thai is firmly on the path to the Olympic Games.
The atmosphere at the Muay Thai boxing ring inside Club France was as lively as the first day. Sports fans from around the world joined in watching the ancient boxing performance and applauded the greatness of the Muay Thai martial arts. Meanwhile, international sports fans were excited by the appearance of Buakaw Banchamek, who continuously took photos with the great Muay Thai boxer.
Then, it was time for 10 Muay Thai matches under the rules approved by the IFMA. The highlight match for Thai boxing fans was the 48 kg women’s division, “Nong Nook M.K. Chaiya
phum” Kulnat On-ok, a student of Buakaw Banchamek, dueling with Lucier Cappi, a female boxer from Germany. The result was a draw. Similarly, “Ice” Thanawan Thongduang drew with China Tavares, a female boxer from the home country, in an extremely exciting match.
Dr. Sakchai Tapsuwan, the Thai President of IFMA, revealed that as the President of IFMA, he is pleased to promote Muay Thai during the Olympic Games. The Muay Thai competition on August 5-6 is a show competition to let the participants of the 2024 Olympics know what Muay Thai is like in Thailand. We have been continuously trying our best to include Muay Thai in the main sports that are competed at the world level, including the Olympic Games in the future. The hope of seeing Muay Thai included in the Olympic Games is that one day we will succeed. If we talk about Muay Thai, it is now widespread all over the world. Importantly, it is popular among people in general, whether they are women or men. Bringing Muay Thai to this point in the 2024 Olympics i
s a collaboration of all relevant sectors, including the Amateur Muay Thai Association, the French Muay Thai Association, IFMA, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is considered very good timing for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to come and watch the competition, which is a great way to promote Muay Thai.
Dr. Sakchai continued that the goal from now on is that everyone wants to see Muay Thai as one of the sports included in the Olympic Games. We are trying to follow the IOC’s regulations, which are that the sport must be widely popular. Second, it must be played by both men and women. Third, it must be a safe sport that is not dangerous. Fourth, it must be a sport that the IOC approves. Muay Thai is fortunate that the IOC has approved Muay Thai for 3 years. We have tried our best to bring Muay Thai to the IOC for consideration. In the Olympic process, which Muay Thai is a member of, it has shown its potential very impressively in the virtual Muay Thai competition at Club France in Paris. Th
e show is a way to publicize whether Muay Thai deserves to be included in the 2028 Olympics or not. When the 2024 Olympics are over, we have a plan to push Muay Thai to reach the goal that everyone hopes for.
In addition, the activity of bringing the sport of “Muay Thai” to be shown in a virtual competition during the 2024 Olympic Games “Paris 2024” still has a program on August 7th. It will start with a lecture and teaching of Muay Thai by Buakaw Banchamek and Jimmy Vienot, famous French boxers, who will closely advise the knowledge and skills of Muay Thai to all athletes. Before the evening, there will be a signing ceremony for the promotion of Muay Thai at the Olympic House, with Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, President of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Association, President of the Peruvian Olympic Committee, and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee joining in the signing, followed by a gala dinner for members who attended the event.
Source: Thai News Agency