A Press Conference was held to launch the first muaythai World University Championships under FISU which takes place later this month. This is an exciting development for young muaythai athletes, and follows a previous University Cup event.
Muaythai under IFMA was recognised by the Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire (FISU) in 2015, FISU being one of the IOC-recognised international sporting bodies.
In that year, Bangkok hosted the Muaythai University World Cup under patronage of FISU. The event was sanctioned by IFMA in cooperation with the Amateur Muaythai Association of Thailand (AMTAT) under Royal Patronage, the University Sports Board of Thailand, and the Department of Physical Education.
At that event many of the athletes who climbed the medal podium went on to become stars in the muaythai world. In the men’s divisions Dmitry Valent (Belarus) took gold, and he has since claimed gold medals at world and European level – just winning another gold last week in Prague at the 2018 European Championships. Nili Block (Israel) gold medalist in the women’s divisions has also had a stellar career going on to win gold at world and European level, and taking bronze at The World Games 2017.
The close relationship between FISU and IFMA continues ever since. In April of this year FISU President Oleg Matysin addressed the United Through Sport conference during the 2018 SportAccord. This conference was co-organised with IFMA.
The muaythai WUC Press Conference was held at the Twin Towers Hotel in Bangkok. This 2018 WUC is hosted by FISU, the Sports Authority of Thailand and the Thai Amateur Boxing Association in partnership with IFMA.
The Deputy Minister of Tourism and Sports presided over the conference.
IFMA President Dr Sakchye Tapsuwan attended and said how proud he is that young muaythai athletes now have an additional pathway to bridge the youth and senior level events. He said he is happy to be welcoming FISU athletes to Thailand.
The event slogan is Make Friends with Muaythai, and the Deputy Minister welcomed all students athletes to Thailand under this slogan. Almost 300 athletes are registered for the event, the organisers said.
Professor Dr. Wichit Kananasukkasem, Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of the University of Thailand said the event will show how far muaythai has developed internationally, and he hopes the students athletes will be inspired to continue on the path of muaythai competition later in life.
Speaking about the WUC IFMA Sport Director Charissa Tynan said this event is about more than sport, there will be workshops and seminars on different aspects of muaythai and a healthy life during the event.
IFMA General Secretary Stephan Fox said holding the event at the Hard Rock Cafe beach-resort means the athletes will have a great environment to enjoy with easy access to the venue and training facilities. This event he said is a pathway for university students into senior and further elite level competition.
Get information on the WUC muaythai tournament on the event website.
Athletes arrive in the beach-side resort town of Pattaya in less than two weeks with the first bouts on July 23rd.
Follow IFMA online with the hashtags #uniworlds and #ifmamuaythai to meet the athletes on: IFMA Facebook IFMA Instagram and IFMA Twitter.