Muay Thai

Thai Boxing or Muay Thai (taysk. มวยไทย) - Thai martial art originating from the ancient Thai martial art Muay Boran and Indochina is similar to other martial arts such as Pradhan serey (Cambodia), Toma (Malaysia), lehvey (Myanmar) and Muay Lao (Laos). The term "Muay" comes from the Sanskrit mavya and Tai, translated meaning "fight-free" or "free fight."
In the modern Muay Thai you can strike with fists, feet, shins, elbows and knees - because of Muay Thai is called "battle of eight limbs". Of karate or martial arts Muay Thai distinguishes the absence of formal systems (kata Taolu), replaced by a basic combination of two or three punches, sparring and working on the "legs" and bags.
At home, Muay Thai has become popular in the XVI century, but international fame, this sport became only the second half of the XX century, when the Thai fighters won a series of impressive victories over the representatives of other martial arts. Today, Muay Thai still has great popularity in Thailand, where there is even a holiday - "a day of national Muay Thai boxing." Outside Thailand Thai boxing popularity continues to grow, thanks in part to razvitiyusmeshannyh martial arts, muay thai used extensively for combat in the rack. Despite the fact that Muay Thai is not an Olympic sport competitions on it regional, national and international scales.

HISTORY

Background

Muay Thai is based on the ancient art of Muay Boran, a method of fighting without weapons, origins of which go back several thousand years ago. Also common view is that Muay Thai originated from other martial arts: crab krabong (taysk. "swords and sticks"). Because the art, based on work with weapons, was formed in the first place on the basis of Indian, Chinese and Japanese methods of combat, then a direct connection is not evident, however, "crab krabong" definitely had an impact on Muay Thai, as evidenced by the technique of some kicks, grabs and ritual dance movements in Muay frames.

Formation of Muay Thai in the form it exists today, began in the second half of the XVI century, when the art was called "May B juice." With the formation of the state in Ayutthaya, a new name - "pahuyut" ("multilateral engagement"). The term "Muay Thai" arose simultaneously with the fall of Ayutthaya and the emergence of a new state - Siam, however, until 1934 known as "pahuyut" was used in parallel with the former. In 1934, Siam changed its name to Thailand, and the term "Muay Thai" established definitively.

Attitude to pahuyutu in Ayutthaya was very serious: the study took place in compulsory for men, and for the members of the royal family. In addition fights were held during festive events, such as fairs and festivals, including in front of the king. Particularly outstanding enlisted men in the royal guard, and assign a title of nobility. These newly made nobles known informally "Muay Luang" or "royal men." Even existed regiment royal guard, formed of the best fighters and bore the name "Thunder nak muay" ("Muay Regiment soldiers"). Such patronage Muay lasted until King Rama VII

Evolution

Since the times of Ayutthaya and pahuyuta, Muay Thai has undergone significant changes in the rules and equipped fighters. Same technique has remained virtually unchanged since the time of King Rama III.

Originally battles were fought with bare hands, but later the hand and forearm were fighters wrap oneself with strips of horse hides. This was done, first, to protect the boxer, and, second, for a stronger impact. This battle was called "Muay cad Chueca." Later began to use hemp rope or conventional cotton tape. Despite the introduction of boxing gloves, hand bandaged tradition preserved to this day, however, contrary to Hollywood stereotypes, historical evidence dipping bandages in broken glass were found. It should be noted that the impact of the rope properly bandaged hands resulting in numerous cuts and bruises from an enemy, no broken glass.

The biggest changes were the rules. If in ancient times loser leave the area either dead or brutally beaten - surrender in Muay Thai was not accepted, and do what the men covered the shame - that in 1929 introduced the concept of winning on points. The timeframe battle became limited to five three-minute rounds, and the timing was now conducted by the hour, the role earlier by floating on the water coconut, when the fruit was drowning, drum notification to the end of the round. In addition, the court replaced the earthen ring size 6x6 meters, was introduced division into seven weight categories and were banned grabs and throws the amplitude type, as in judo. Also imposed bans on headers, suffocation, strikes to the groin and attack the fallen enemy. Thus, holding fights Muay Thai was finally prevailing subject to the competition rules.

Muay thai today

Today, Muay Thai still has great popularity both in Thailand and abroad. For many Thai men, Muay Thai - the only way to break out of poverty. As a result, the number of practitioners - a very large: Muay Thai practiced over 120,000 fans and nearly 10,000 professionals. In this case, there are about two thousand clubs. Military and police in this figure does not include, as do muay thai mandatory.

Muay Thai has gained popularity in Europe and in the world since 1977, when Thai soldiers won a decisive victory in the match play with a kickboxer and karate. Particularly successful in practice Muay Thai fighters have reached the Dutch, whose school is today one of the best, along with Thai, as evidenced by the success of the Dutch kickboxers in international arenas. This is due to the fact that the Dutch were the first in Europe began to seriously study Muay Thai. Prior to 1978, the representatives of the Netherlands were already strong in kickboxing, but on arriving in Thailand, they were defeated by local fighters, and then began to study intensively the Thai version of kickboxing. As strong Muay Thai schools can boast of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, whose members successfully participate in tournaments in Muay Thai.

New round of Muay Thai gained popularity with the development of mixed martial arts (MMA). Because of its simplicity and effectiveness, Muay Thai is an essential component of training a large number of professional MMA fighters (like Mauricio Rua, Alistair Overeem, etc.), which, in turn, has increased the number of people willing to study it. For the same reason, the elements of Muay Thai incorporated numerous sections on self-defense as well as Thai boxing is one of the martial arts, closest (to the extent possible in the sport) to a street fight. More to promote Muay Thai has also played the world's most prestigious kickboxing tournament professionals - K-1 - where representatives of Thai boxing Buakhau Po. Pramuk, Arthur Kyshenko Gevorg "George" Petrosyan, Badr Hari, Peter Arts and Remy Bonjasky are leading men.

TRADITION

Wye Kru Muay frames

A distinctive feature of Muay Thai is the traditional prayer Wye Crewe and ceremonial dance Muay frames preceding each fight. Wye Kru performed, usually in the corner, where the soldier stands face to coach or corner in respect.

In turn, frames Muay primarily a demonstration of reverence and gratitude for the care of parents and teachers, who put himself in the fighter. In addition, the dance is a kind of workout for the legs, arms and body, as well as psychological adjustment to a fight. By tradition, the soldier starts with a slow frame Muay bypass ring counterclockwise with right hand over the ring ropes. At each corner, he stops and makes a bow, at the same time touching the fence, thus "opechatyvaya" ring penetration evil spirits and giving the space inside the ropes with their power. Further performance varies depending on the school, but, as a rule, a fighter on his knees, says a short prayer and makes three bows, touching gloves floor of the ring.

Mongkon

During the execution of the dance frame Muay every fighter on his head wearing mongkon - stranded of 108 (the number of sacred Buddhist) thick rope strands around your finger man, bent into a ring with a diameter of about a man's head. The ends of the rope tied in pigtails strip of cloth inscribed with magical symbols and signs. Mongkon worn only during the pre-fight ritual execution Wye Kru, in which a fighter performs a dance Muay frames. After the fighter performs the Ram Muay ritual, before the first round of the sacred band with heads of the men takes second or coach. Mongkon In Thailand, as well as dance Muay frames may indicate a soldier belonging to a particular school or geographic region.

By tradition mongkon must weave fighter and sanctify - a teacher, but at the present time mongkony are sold in stores.

Pratiat

Pratiat (also known as pratet, pradzhet, prayati and so on) - is a traditional Thai amulet in the form of bands on the shoulder with two dangling ends and designed to obereganiya fighter. Unlike mongkona, pratiat worn on one or both hands during the whole match. Weave itself bandage strips of material, which are repeated incantations, prayers and incantations, which dates back to the ancient Thai traditions: Warriors tied pratiat shoulder and entered with them into battle, believing that the bandage will save them from death and injury.

Muay Thai at home weaving process rather ceremonies, as a rule, the teacher makes a bandage fighter, or a fighter himself, but in Thailand it is considered that pratiaty woven teacher has more power, because the fighter teacher - a person who has the art of magic. In Europe, America, belief in the magical power pratiata less, especially when you consider that the development of e-commerce and the increasing popularity of Muay Thai, a large number of shops offering pratiaty for every taste and color, however, it is doubtful that they were all charmed and can significantly help the soldier. [citation needed 420 days] In this regard, pratiaty found another use, and many schools are used as a ranking system similar to belts in karate, judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. International Amateur Muay Thai Federation introduced color and mongkonov pratiatov classification according to level fighter. In Russia, this practice is secondary because of the presence of assignment sports titles for specific achievements in the ring.

Music

The fight goes to traditional Thai music sets the rhythm of battle. It is believed that the instrument sounds are endowed with magical properties, freeing the mind from all mundane thoughts and give uninhibited mind fighters. Furthermore, according to popular belief, the rhythm of the music introduces fighters in a trance, promotes concentration and allowing the soldier to fight in the ring with greater impact and power. Original musical accompaniment played the background, however, over time, the music was to simulate the course of the match: during the Muay frames, the music sounds smoothly and quietly, emphasizing the solemnity of the situation. In the course of the fight, when the soldiers are making increasing efforts to win, the rhythm can be accelerated and acquire quite rabid in climactic moments of the fight.

Performing music on four instruments: pi java - Javanese clarinet, Klong as - double drum, shing - metal cymbals and Mong Kong - Thai style drum. Rhythm Party sets pi java whose sound Thais believe endowed magical properties: often a man playing this instrument equate to a magician. On fights in Thailand is always live music, while in European countries and the United States are predominantly used the recorded work.

Code of honor

Like any other sport, Muay Thai requires respect for the opponent. Prohibited verbal and physical abuse before, during and after the fight, and the violation of these rules may be offensive to the side points, and then the fight. Also curious detail is typical of Thailand, where a man's head is considered the most revered part of the body, as it occupies the highest position. For example, the Thai fighter never climb into the ring under the ropes and will always walk over them without admitting that something was above his head. In addition, more humiliation in combat is hit Stop ("the most despicable part of the body") in the face, which is seen as an attempt to say, "your head is below my feet, which is below the mud." Even more humiliating is easy contact face of the enemy foot, akin to spit in his face.

In addition, according to the code of honor of muay thai, each fighter must present themselves to others as an example for generosity, honesty and humility, respect for the customs and laws of their country. Oath gives every soldier that comes into any club muay thai, goes something like this:

"I will be strong and clear, I will always play fair, always keep an eye on their behavior at school [Muay Thai] and beyond. I will never boast of their power and bully the weak. I will obey their mentors and will be faithful to their nation. All of us, students and teachers will love each other, we are united in their view and thoughts and we will always help each other. "

TECHNOLOGY

In Muay Thai, there are two basic styles: Muay nail ("hard fight") and Muay Kieu ("nifty battle"). For nail art Muay typical solid, stable position juxtaposed with robust, slow movements and powerful strikes. Crucial importance counterattack and fight at close range. In this regard, this style is not very popular in today's world, where a simple exchange of blows is not welcomed and appreciated entertainment and battle tactics. These requirements more in line Muay Kieu, being built on the slopes and Finta, virtually absent in Muay varnish. The technique of Muay Kieu dominated fast movement, side and roundhouse kick, knee, despite the fact that an attack requires more time than in Muay lacquer, on the strength of this impact is not reflected as the technique of almost all strikes in Muay Thai based on the contents of the body to any attack, be it a punch or kick.