10 days of fierce competition have come to a close. The championship teams filled with pride, as the gold medallists booked their spots to compete at the 2017 World Games under patronage of the IOC.
The time has come to announce the most outstanding teams and athletes for the four (4) Royal Cups. The Jury, made up of all Technical Officials of IFMA made the final decision to award the King’s Trophy to Thailand and Vewart Comta for most outstanding performance in the Senior Male category; HM the Queen’s Trophy went to Sweden and Sofia Olofsson for most outstanding performance in the Senior Female category; HRH the Crown Prince’s trophy went to the Czech Republic and Tadeas Ruzicka Olofsson for most outstanding performance in the junior male category; while her HRH the Princess’s Cup went to Team England and Dakota Ditcheva for most outstanding performance in the junior female category.
H.E. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul Minister of Tourism & Sport made a truly heartfelt closing speech telling everyone that this was only the first step towards excellence. She went on to explain that the biggest win far beyond all medals are the lifelong friendships that were made, between participants from all corners of the globe. Cultural understanding and respect for one another is the foundation of muaythai and life; and that we could expect many more competitions with different results in the ring but the same results outside.
The minister spoke of how Thailand was truly proud to welcome all the friends of sport with the AIMS meeting & conference as well as all the athletes, delegates and fans of the IFMA Royal World Cup. She said that Thailand were looking forward to bid for future muaythai events, and thanked the Government of Sweden, the host country of the next IFMA World Championships in 2016.
She closed the event wishing everyone safe journeys home.