Today marks a deeply important moment in Muaythai history, as 17 March is recognised worldwide as Nai Khanom Tom Day.
Story has it that in 1774, following the fall of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, a Siamese warrior named Nai Khanom Tom was taken prisoner after the Burmese invasion.
When given the chance to prove himself, he performed the Wai Kru, honouring his teachers and ancestors, a ritual so powerful it was mistaken for black magic. He then stepped into the ring and defeated the Burmese champion.
So remarkable was his performance that he was granted his freedom that very same day, marking a defining moment in the legacy of Muaythai.
Today, we honour not only Nai Khanom Tom, but all the masters, teachers, and ancestors who have carried this art through generations through hardship, sacrifice, and unwavering belief, shaping Muaythai into the respected Art of Eight Limbs it is today.
We fight with eight limbs, but we stand on generations. Respect for our ancestors is the foundation of respect in Muaythai.
IFMA proudly celebrates this day across the world, united by our core values: respect, honour, tradition, excellence, and fair play, while standing firmly for inclusion, non-discrimination, and unity through sport.
Today, Muaythai stands not only as an Olympic-recognised sport, but as a living cultural treasure, one that carries the spirit of a people, a history, and a way of life.
Every Wai Kru is a conversation with our ancestors, an act of gratitude and remembrance. Muaythai is built on lineage—without our ancestors, there is no art, no culture, no identity.
The future of Muaythai lives in our youth, guided by the wisdom and courage of those who came before.
Tell the stories. Preserve the legacy. Inspire the youth. This is how Muaythai lives forever.
The voices of the warriors are not lost in time, they live within us, in every movement, every breath, every fight.
Muaythai is more than a sport, it is heritage, identity, and a force that unites the world.
There is only one Muaythai. One identity.
One World One Muaythai.