Known as the "art of eight limbs," Muay Thai has been a highly effective combat sport for several centuries. Originating in Thailand, Muay Thai is now popular worldwide and a big part of mixed martial arts. This martial art incorporates both striking and kicking, and the eight limbs that are utilized include the elbows, knees and shins as well as the feet and hands. The sport developed from the ancient Siamese arts of Muay boran and was both a practical defensive and offensive military art as well as a spectator sport. Here is a sample of some of the best Muay Thai fighters throughout history.
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.
Fast forward a century or so and you have the career of Apidej Sit-Hirun to consider. Sit-Hirun is perhaps the most powerful Muay Thai kicker in modern times. If you are a disbeliever, simply ask Sompong Charoenmuang. During a memorable bout, Sit-Hirun broke both of Charoenmuang's arms, forcing him to retire. In addition to that, Sit-Hirun was perhaps the most prominent Muay Thai fighter of the 1960s and was also a highly respected instructor of the sport. The reigning king of Thailand called Sit-Hirun the "Fighter of the Century," and you can find highlights of some of his bouts online.
In Thailand, winning a bout at the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium is like winning a gold medal, the UFC heavyweight championship and about five other championships all rolled into one. This stadium is absolutely the symbol of the sport of Muay Thai, and to win here once is a huge accomplishment. Of course, if you are Samart Payakaroon, winning once wasn't enough. He was the champion at Lumpinee Stadium in not one, but four different weight classes. Overall, his career included 150 professional bouts, and only 19 of these were losses. Oh, he's also a famous singer in Thailand and an actor with more than a half-dozen movies to his credit.
In Thailand, a champion at Lumpinee Stadium definitely has earned some bragging rights. Rajadamnern Stadium is another highly prominent Muay Thai venue in Bangkok. Jomhod Kiatadisak, also called the King of the Ring, has won a Lumpinee Championship as well as two Rajadamnern championships. In addition to these accolades, he has 14 WBC Muay Thai Championships under his belt and a career of more than 300 bouts with just 24 losses overall.
Muay Thai is a huge part of MMA and there are many highly skilled and versatile fighters with mad Muay Thai skills, not the least of which is Anderson Silva, who has black belt in Muay Thai. It's just part of his black belt collection, actually, as he also has earned them in Judo, Tae Kwon Do and, of course, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He may also be a Jedi Knight, but that is unconfirmed. At any rate, there are a few other highly ranked MMA fighters with strong MMA skills, including Cristiane Santos, who also has a black belt in Muay Thai as well as brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
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.
Fast forward a century or so and you have the career of Apidej Sit-Hirun to consider. Sit-Hirun is perhaps the most powerful Muay Thai kicker in modern times. If you are a disbeliever, simply ask Sompong Charoenmuang. During a memorable bout, Sit-Hirun broke both of Charoenmuang's arms, forcing him to retire. In addition to that, Sit-Hirun was perhaps the most prominent Muay Thai fighter of the 1960s and was also a highly respected instructor of the sport. The reigning king of Thailand called Sit-Hirun the "Fighter of the Century," and you can find highlights of some of his bouts online.
In Thailand, winning a bout at the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium is like winning a gold medal, the UFC heavyweight championship and about five other championships all rolled into one. This stadium is absolutely the symbol of the sport of Muay Thai, and to win here once is a huge accomplishment. Of course, if you are Samart Payakaroon, winning once wasn't enough. He was the champion at Lumpinee Stadium in not one, but four different weight classes. Overall, his career included 150 professional bouts, and only 19 of these were losses. Oh, he's also a famous singer in Thailand and an actor with more than a half-dozen movies to his credit.
In Thailand, a champion at Lumpinee Stadium definitely has earned some bragging rights. Rajadamnern Stadium is another highly prominent Muay Thai venue in Bangkok. Jomhod Kiatadisak, also called the King of the Ring, has won a Lumpinee Championship as well as two Rajadamnern championships. In addition to these accolades, he has 14 WBC Muay Thai Championships under his belt and a career of more than 300 bouts with just 24 losses overall.
Muay Thai is a huge part of MMA and there are many highly skilled and versatile fighters with mad Muay Thai skills, not the least of which is Anderson Silva, who has black belt in Muay Thai. It's just part of his black belt collection, actually, as he also has earned them in Judo, Tae Kwon Do and, of course, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He may also be a Jedi Knight, but that is unconfirmed. At any rate, there are a few other highly ranked MMA fighters with strong MMA skills, including Cristiane Santos, who also has a black belt in Muay Thai as well as brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
About the Author:
Rod Bourgoine enjoys writing about mixed martial arts advantages. To get additional details about muay thai in San Diego or to discover a San Diego martial arts gym, click here today.
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