INACURACIES.
Muaythai
does not literally translate as 'Thai-Boxing'
as some people believe.
The closest and most accurate translation is Thai-Kickboxing.
In Thailand there are Muaythai
Camps and there are Boxing
gyms, as 'Boxing'
is a totally seperate sport to 'Muaythai'.
Thailand has Boxers compete at the Olympics just
like other countries, such as France and America.
These 'Thai-Boxers',
just like 'Boxers'
from other countries, only fight using their fists,
they would not also use their legs to strike their
opponents. If they were Kicking as well as Boxing,
they would be KICKBOXING.
If an Instructor states that they are teaching
'Thai-Boxing', they
are literally saying that they practise punching
- the same way that a Thai person would punch,
( some people like the way Mexicans also Box,
although very few say they teach Mexican-Boxing
).
If a person states that they are a 'Thai-Boxer',
this too is another inacuracy and further poor
use of the English language. In stating that they
are a 'Thai-Boxer'
they are stating that their nationality is "Thai"
and not "English".
In the late 1970's there were Thai nationals that
arrived in Europe and began teaching Muaythai.
Many had very poor English, and this lead to the
early use of the term "Thai-Boxing",
when in fact they should have either strictly
used the name 'Muaythai'
or 'Thai-Kickboxing'
to describe the combat sport that they were teaching.
Note
the title of this Instructional book.
MUAYTHAI
:
ADVANCED THAI-KICKBOXING
TECHNIQUES
by
Christopher Delph.
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FURTHER
CONFUSION - Explained:
The main difference between Thai-Kickboxing (
Muaythai ) and Japanese Kickboxing ( K-1 ) is
that Muaythai allows the use of Elbow strikes
as well as Kicks, Boxing and Knees.
Elbow strikes are not allowed in a K-1 Kickboxing
contest.
Most people within the martial arts community
know this.
However there are U.K. gyms that state that
they have 'Muaythai' fighters and Champions,
yet their fighters and Champions have never
competed under rules allowing the use of Elbow
strikes?
Pict : Warrington Kickboxer Mark Matthews
Landing an Elbow strike in a Muaythai contest.
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When questioned
on this, they may state that they competed under
'C' class or 'B' class rules, however Muaythai
does not have any such 'CLASS' system.
In Thailand, Muaythai is always contested under
one set of rules and these rules always allow
Elbow strikes. Do not believe that someone is
a Muaythai champion, if they have not competed
under rules allowing Elbow strikes.
There are some gyms that hold onto the use of
the term 'Thai-Boxing' and state that 'Thai-Boxing'
is not a style of Kickboxing. Again this causes
confusion. Especially as most U.K. based Muaythai
gyms have Champions under Kickboxing sanctioning
bodies. For example they may have an I.K.F. British
Champion, the letters I.K.F. refer to International
Kickboxing Federation. Other sanctioning bodies
for Muaythai titles are W.A.K.O. ( World Association
of Kickboxing Organisations ), W.K.A. ( World
Kickboxing Association ) or I.S.K.A. ( International
Sport Kickboxing Association ). If Muaythai was
not a Kickboxing style, as the term Thai-Kickboxing
implies, then why would Kickboxing associations
sanction Muaythai / Thai-Kickboxing titles, and
why would Muaythai gyms have their members compete
for these Championships.
For Quick reference:
Basically Muaythai, also known as Thai-Kickboxing,
is a combat sport that allows Kicks and Boxing,
including Knee-kicks, and Elbow strikes. It is
widely practised in Thailand.
Japanese Kickboxing, also known as K-1 ( or Oriental
Rules ), allows Kicks and Boxing, including the
use of Knee-Kicks, however there are no Elbow
strikes allowed.
Japanese ( Oriental Rules ) Kickboxing events
are widely practised across Europe through leading
Kickboxing promotions 'K-1', Its Showtime, FIGHTCODE
and Super-Kombat.
Kickboxing at
the Okami Dojo
The Okami-Dojo Wolf-Gym offers expert tuition
in both Muaythai and K-1 Kickboxing, and since
we were established 18 years ago, we have trained
students to compete and win championships under
both rule formats.
Neil Holden, the head trainer of Warrington Kickboxing
Studio, was certified as a Muaythai instructor
under Grand Master Sken ( Thailand ) in 1992 (
over 20 years ago ).
Senior Instructor at the Studio, Mark Matthews
won the British and Commonwealth Muaythai welterweight
titles, along with several K-1 rule titles during
his Pro. career.
In 2011 Warrington Kickboxing Studio had 3 members
win English titles and 6 win British titles under
I.K.F. Amateur Kickboxing Rules ( K-1 / M.T.R.
) format.
Pictures
of Warrington Kickboxers in action - click here!
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