Along with martial arts such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo, the combat sport of Muay Thai is an essential training component for anyone wanting to become a mixed martial arts fighter. However, on its own, this is a popular sport worldwide, especially in Thailand where the sport developed over the centuries. It was an excellent form of combat using eight specific areas of the body to attack and defend. These eight points are the elbows and knees, as well as the hands or fists and the feet. There have been many excellent Muay Thai practitioners throughout the year including the following.
No article about Muay Thai's greatest figures would be complete without mentioning Nai Khanomtom. He was taken prisoner when the Burmese attacked Siam in the latter part of the 18th century. During an exhibition of Burmese boxing, the Burmese king selected Khanomtom to come out and test his skills against the best of the Burmese fighters. Khanomtom began with a traditional Siamese Wai Kru dance, which stunned the crowd and apparently his opponent, as this top Burmese fighter quickly was defeated by Khanomtom. The king believed that Khanomtom used his magical dance to distract the Burmese fighter so he ordered Khanomtom to fight about 10 more Burmese boxers. After Khanomtom quickly defeated all of them, the king granted him freedom and even offered him a few wives as a reward. Today this feat is celebrated on March 17 as part of Boxer's Day.
If the King of Thailand calls you the "Fighter of the Century," then your career was probably fairly successful. This is certainly true of Apidej Sit-Hirun who was definitely one of the sport's most powerful competitors and has the distinction of holding more than a half dozen titles at the same time. He is also notorious for breaking Sompong Charoenmuang's arms, yes - both of them, during a single bout. This ended Charoenmuang's career and cemented Sit-Hirun's status as a Muay Thai legend. After he retired, this national hero became a teacher, sharing his gift of Muay Thai with countless students at a prominent martial arts school near Bangkok.
Americans have Muhammad Ali, Brazilians have Anderson Silva and the people of Thailand have Samart Payakaroon. He is a legend for many reasons, not the least of which was his professional fight record with 129 wins and only 19 losses. He also holds the distinction of winning the championship at the prestigious Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in four different weight classes. If you are unfamiliar with the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, it's literally the most important Muay Thai stadium in Thailand and perhaps the world.
If Lumpinee is Madison Square Garden, the Rajadamnern Stadium is its twin brother. A win at either of these prominent Muay Thai stadiums is akin to winning a major bout in the UFC. Jomhod Kiatadisak has won at both of these arenas and in two different weight classes; he's also been crowned victor 14 times at the WBC Muay Thai Championships. With more than 300 fights in all, Kiatadisak the "King of the Ring," has lost only 24 of them, which is impressive all by itself.
There are many more examples of amazing Muay Thai fighters, and there are certainly some great MMA fighters who are highly skilled in Muay Thai. One of the best is Anderson Silva, who holds the equivalent of a black belt in Muay Thai, along with his many other black belts in Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Tae Kwon Do. Fabricio Werdum and Cristiane Santos are a few other notable MMA fighters with strong Muay Thai skills.
No article about Muay Thai's greatest figures would be complete without mentioning Nai Khanomtom. He was taken prisoner when the Burmese attacked Siam in the latter part of the 18th century. During an exhibition of Burmese boxing, the Burmese king selected Khanomtom to come out and test his skills against the best of the Burmese fighters. Khanomtom began with a traditional Siamese Wai Kru dance, which stunned the crowd and apparently his opponent, as this top Burmese fighter quickly was defeated by Khanomtom. The king believed that Khanomtom used his magical dance to distract the Burmese fighter so he ordered Khanomtom to fight about 10 more Burmese boxers. After Khanomtom quickly defeated all of them, the king granted him freedom and even offered him a few wives as a reward. Today this feat is celebrated on March 17 as part of Boxer's Day.
If the King of Thailand calls you the "Fighter of the Century," then your career was probably fairly successful. This is certainly true of Apidej Sit-Hirun who was definitely one of the sport's most powerful competitors and has the distinction of holding more than a half dozen titles at the same time. He is also notorious for breaking Sompong Charoenmuang's arms, yes - both of them, during a single bout. This ended Charoenmuang's career and cemented Sit-Hirun's status as a Muay Thai legend. After he retired, this national hero became a teacher, sharing his gift of Muay Thai with countless students at a prominent martial arts school near Bangkok.
Americans have Muhammad Ali, Brazilians have Anderson Silva and the people of Thailand have Samart Payakaroon. He is a legend for many reasons, not the least of which was his professional fight record with 129 wins and only 19 losses. He also holds the distinction of winning the championship at the prestigious Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in four different weight classes. If you are unfamiliar with the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, it's literally the most important Muay Thai stadium in Thailand and perhaps the world.
If Lumpinee is Madison Square Garden, the Rajadamnern Stadium is its twin brother. A win at either of these prominent Muay Thai stadiums is akin to winning a major bout in the UFC. Jomhod Kiatadisak has won at both of these arenas and in two different weight classes; he's also been crowned victor 14 times at the WBC Muay Thai Championships. With more than 300 fights in all, Kiatadisak the "King of the Ring," has lost only 24 of them, which is impressive all by itself.
There are many more examples of amazing Muay Thai fighters, and there are certainly some great MMA fighters who are highly skilled in Muay Thai. One of the best is Anderson Silva, who holds the equivalent of a black belt in Muay Thai, along with his many other black belts in Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Tae Kwon Do. Fabricio Werdum and Cristiane Santos are a few other notable MMA fighters with strong Muay Thai skills.
About the Author:
Rod Bourgoine enjoys writing about mixed martial arts benefits. To get additional information about muay thai in San Diego or to discover a San Diego martial arts gym, click here now.
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