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.
Known as the "King of the Ring," Jomhod Kiatadisak has won both the Lumpinee Championship as well as another hugely prominent championship in Thailand, the Rajadamnern Championship. He also has won more than a dozen WBC Muay Thai Championships, the most recent of which was in 2011. He has fought in more than 300 professional bouts, losing only two dozen fights.
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.
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.
Known as the "King of the Ring," Jomhod Kiatadisak has won both the Lumpinee Championship as well as another hugely prominent championship in Thailand, the Rajadamnern Championship. He also has won more than a dozen WBC Muay Thai Championships, the most recent of which was in 2011. He has fought in more than 300 professional bouts, losing only two dozen fights.
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 blogging about MMA benefits. To get additional information about muay thai in San Diego or to find a San Diego martial arts gym, click here today.
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