In less than 100 days, the Kingdom of Bahrain will welcome thousands of young athletes from across Asia for the 3rd Asian Youth Games—a celebration of youth, excellence, and unity. Held from October 22–31 in Manama, this milestone event will feature competitors aged 14–18 from 45 countries under the Olympic Council of Asia, participating across 24 sporting disciplines. And for the first time ever, Muaythai will be part of the program.
IFMA proudly announces Muaythai’s debut in both the combat and cultural divisions—a momentous achievement that highlights the sport’s evolution on the global stage.’
The cultural disciplines, recognized as full medal sports, will include Wai Kru and Mai Muay—traditional performances that blend grace, precision, and deep cultural symbolism. These additions underline IFMA’s unwavering commitment to passing down the tradition, artistry, and core values of Muaythai—an ancient martial art over 1,000 years in the making—to the next generation.
Following a recent coordination meeting with the Local Organizing Committee, IFMA Technical Delegate Dato Shannaz Azmi stated:
“The inclusion of Muaythai in both combat and cultural formats is a testament to the sport’s depth and legacy. The fact that cultural disciplines will be contested for medals reflects IFMA’s commitment to preserving our heritage while empowering youth. Bahrain has been widely praised for its dedication to sustainability and its outstanding venues, which will offer a world-class stage for both competition and cultural expression.”
With the Asian Youth Games offering a pathway to the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar 2026, young nak muay from across Asia will not only compete for podium finishes—they’ll be writing the next chapter of Muaythai history.Combat. Culture. Community. Let the journey begin. #AYG2025