It must first be understood that when we are talking about Muay Thai here we are referring to Kickboxing and the Muay Thai style of Kickboxing. Essentially these are two disciplines in one. Kickboxing consists of striking and defensive techniques with the hands feet and legs. The strikes are fast and hard designed for optimal damage by exposing and attacking the opponent’s weaknesses. Muay Thai works in the same manner with additional use of such things as elbows, knees, clinching and takedowns. Both are high intensity disciplines that emphasize balance and weight distribution while also teaching one to be light on their feet and effectively mobile.
A great deal of training is about conditioning the body. The cardio aspect of conditioning is of great importance and can serve a student on many levels.
Muay Thai also conditions the external; hardening the body to compliment the power of the strikes as well as allowing one to withstand the devastating blows a fellow kickboxer could deliver. The most widely known technique in kickboxing is the cut kick. The effects of a cut kick could be likened to that of a blow with a baseball bat.
It is not widely known how Muay Thai originated. What is known is that the art became prevalent some time around 500 B.C. in Thailand and was used within the military of this era and as a hand to hand combat system the Thai’s were a feared and highly effective military force. Over time the art of Muay Thai became the countries national sport and still is today. The people of Thailand take Muay Thai very seriously and those that choose to become fighters do so at a very early age and dedicate their whole lives to the sport often changing their family names to match that of their schools or instructor.
Hanshi Nico
Founder of Nikidokai
Hall of Fame Member
Trainer of World Champions