is deeply ingrained in Thai culture. Despite how old the sport is, tournaments continue to improve over time. Its devotees refer to it as “the art of the eight limbs.” The use of fists, elbows, knees, shins, and forehands makes the best of matches look like a scene straight out of an action movie.
This year’s major Muay Thai events will take place all over the world. Countries such as Brazil, Mexico, and Australia, will host the best talent from around the world. Each year, a new champion is added to the list, but only a few fighters are considered legends in terms of global recognition and career accomplishments. Here are some of the most memorable names in Muay Thai history, as well as how they rose to prominence:
Samart Payakaroon
Samart Payakaroon has defied the odds by using powerful fists in a sport where almost every fighter uses knees and elbows to their advantage. His agility and exceptional boxing skills have made him the most well-known Muay Thai legend. At his prime, Samart Payakaroon was a cunning opponent whose physical disadvantage forced him to rely on his mental abilities. He kept his opponent far enough away to avoid a short-range strike while maintaining a good attacking range. Aside from his fists, his technique is primarily defined by the side sweep kick, which he used both offensively and defensively.
He is a four-time Lumpinee Stadium champion, having won two titles in 1980 and two more in 1981. In addition to his Muay Thai accolades, Payakaroon was also a World Boxing Champion, one of his most notable professional accomplishments.
Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn
Dieselnoi Chor was born a fighter, a trait that showed in his early childhood. Opponents had to keep an eye on his piercing knee strikes in a ring where his height exceeded the average range. He fought in the lightweight division, and every time he struck with his knee and clinch combo, the crowd went wild.
His most notable victory was probably the Lumpinee Stadium championship, which he won against all newcomers, including Samart. Dieselnoi went unbeaten for four years. He is widely regarded as the greatest Muay Khao fighter of all time.
Saenchai
Saenchai stood 1.66m (5ft 5in) tall. His success came by using his strong stability to knock down taller opponents. His short limbs gave him unrivaled agility, allowing him to perform lightning-fast sweeps and cartwheel kicks. He actually invented several types of cartwheel kicks with the help of Sepak Takraw.
Every time he won, Saenchai faced bigger opponents, sometimes opponents who weighed more than ten pounds heavier. His quick maneuvers put him one step ahead of opponents, seemingly predicting their next moves. He is regarded as a living legend because, unlike most fighters his age, he continues to fight.
Tongchai Tor Silachai
Tongchai is a five-time Lumpinee championship winner and the only opponent to ever knock out Saenchai. He defied all odds to become a Ratchadamnern title holder and was widely regarded as the sport’s best boxer.
As the saying goes, “all publicity is good publicity,” and the fighter’s legal troubles with drug trafficking in 2008 contributed significantly to his celebrity status. Tongchai now works as a trainer in gyms, passing on his exceptional combat skills to the next generation of fighters.
Somrak Sor Kamsing
Somrak Sor, unlike the majority of the legends on this list, has never won a Lumpinee title, but he has defeated champions to earn top-tier recognition among the sport’s enthusiasts. His interest in Muay Thai began at a young age. Initially, he had limited participation in promoted events, because he was always perceived to be the obvious winner. tle.
Somrak Sor switched to boxing after quitting Muay Thai later in his career. He continued to win Thailand’s first Olympic gold medal in the 1996 Summer Olympics. Somrak is also a talented actor who has appeared in several Thai films and TV shows, further solidifying his place in the entertainment industry.
Conclusion
Muay Thai fighters have more freedom in terms of how they can strike or defend, giving it a distinct flavor from the typical boxing seen in other parts of the world. Although Muay Thai competitions are now held all over the world, nothing beats the thrill of watching it in its native land, where it is also the national sport.
Even though the year is half over, there are still some upcoming Muay Thai tournaments to look forward to, including the Noche De Guerreros 7 México and Australia’s Powerhouse Fight Series, both of which take place on June 25th. But, before that, you can get a taste of what to expect during the Rio de Janeiro faceoffs on June 24th.