The Park Inn Pribaltiskaya Hotel meeting room was packed to the last seat with no standing room for the athletes weigh in for the 2013 Sport Accord World Combat Games. The IFMA President Sakchye Tapsuwan made a moving speech welcoming all the athletes to the second addition of the Combat Games.

The IFMA General Secretary, Mr. Stephan Fox stated that it has been a long road of qualification to come here and every single athlete could be considered as an ambassador of their country and for the sport muaythai.

The IFMA Sport Director Charissa Tynan again outlined that fair play is the foundation of muaythai and that IFMA was very happy that 60% of all the athletes had already completed the Sport Integrity Real Player Programme and reminded all coashed and athletes that completion of the programme was compulsory for all athletes competing in the Games.

The representatives of the Royal Thai Government were honoured guests during the meeting. After the official welcoming speeches the draw commenced to decide “the who will fight who” in the quarter final bouts.