Muay Thai National Boxing Day in Thailand (06/02)

Muay Thai — is a type of boxing art that is the national sport of Thailand, the day of which is celebrated in the country annually on February 6 as Muay Thai National Boxing Day (Thai). วันนมายย, English. National Muay Thai Day). It is also known as Thai boxing.

The name comes from a combination of the words mavya (Sanskrit) and Thai, derived from the word Tai, and translated means «The Art of Eight Limbs» or «The Science of Eight Limbs» (Art (Science) of Eight Limbs).

This definition was given to this type of boxing because strikes, shocks and other active attacks on the opponent's elbows and knees are carried out using eight points of contact, unlike two-pin western boxing and four-pin oriental martial arts.

Muay Thai fighters are called nak muay, and Western boxers are sometimes called nak muay farang, which simply means «foreign boxer».

The heart of the holiday is the glorification of a legendary fighter named Nai Khanom Thom, who was captured by the Burmese during the War of 1775 and brought to Rangoon, where he was forced to fight against Burmese boxers.

With unrivaled skill, Nai Khanom Thom scored 10 victories in a row. For this, the Burmese honored him and sent him home. Now every Thai boy knows the name Nai Khanom Tom. Other founders of Thai kickboxing include Muay Boran and Krabi Krabong. There are many outstanding boxers among modern athletes.

Muay Thai is not an Olympic sport, but it hosts many competitions at various — levels from regional to international.

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