There is a busy sports schedule at the first muaythai World University Championships, but balance is key to everything. And so there is a also a busy tourist schedule which the athletes and officials can avail of when they are free, packed with educational and cultural visits outside the town of Pattaya.

The WUC is taking place in the beach-side resort of Pattaya in Thailand so there is plenty to see in the surrounding regions. The main focus of the trips is the Turtle Conservation Centre run by the Royal Thai Navy.

This fascinating research centre is located close to Nang Ram beach meaning a quick dip in the warm waters of the Gulf of Thailand is also possible.

Yesterday Anna Kuzmuk, one of the international student volunteers here with FISU went with some athletes from Malaysia to the centre. She said afterwards it was exciting and very emotional to see the turtles, saying: “A lot of positive emotions and new impressions.”

Leaving in the morning, the bus returns before the bouts start so some of the hard-working referee staff also can travel. They start every day at 06:30 getting ready for the daily medical check for the athletes competing that day. So they deserve a few hours in the sun.

Athletes can also visit the traditional village community of Baan Chak Ngaeo   – a village frozen in time. Established by Chinese migrants over a century ago, the trip shows athletes a side of Thailand the tourists rarely see.

See full results here on IFMA muaythai    Or on the WUC Muaythai website.

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