Kazakhstan Muaythai Federation took part in celebrating Youth Day in its capital city, Astana. The young athletes demonstrated the fundamentals values of the sport such as its cultural aspect and its deep history.The competitors who qualified for the Youth World Championships shared their hopes and expectations from their trip to Thailand with all the kids who came to see their performance. They were eager to show how much muaythai means to them and that they will be proud to go back home with medals. In the eyes of all their peers who were present at the event, the kids are brave heroes travelling so far away to represent all the youth of Kazakhstan.
The Prime Minister of Kazakhstan and also IFMA Vice President, Mr. Karim Massimov, has been a massive influence in development of muaythai in Kazakhstan. His vision and love for the sport goes back many years, as Kazakhstan hosted the very first IFMA World Muaythai Championships outside of Thailand, in 2003. It is remembered as one of the most outstanding events for IFMA, giving muaythai a real boost in Kazakhstan.
Since then, numerous athletes became regular participants of the IFMA world and continental events. Including those who started in the youth division in 2003 and are now today’s champions and pride for their country. Bagitzhan Muhambetaliev, the IFMA referee from Kazakhstan said that developing the sport from grass roots is one of the priorities.
This years’ qualifications for the Youth World Championships saw a record number of participants, as the best 17 athletes from 7 different regions of Kazakhstan will be going to Bangkok to compete for their country and keeping the promise they made with the kids at Youth Day – to bring medals back home.
