The Cultural elements of Muaythai play an important part as the IOC recognized world federation promoting Olympism, cultural education and sporting exchange.
The code of respect is one of the fundamental values of Muaythai and the Wai Kru, the pre-competition ritual, plays an important part as the athletes show respect to one another, their gyms, the martial art and themselves.
Every athlete, before the bout, performs the Wai Kru or Ram Muay and is a distinctive part of muaythai going back thousands of years in time. Since 2014, IFMA has also introduced separate Wai Kru Competitions for the athletes to integrate their cultural aspects (costumes, etc) to the Wai Kru.
A special workshop was held by IFMA led by IFMA Thai Masters, some of the highest Thai Masters amongst them, with over 800 youth from over 90 countries participating.
It is one of the events where also the IFMA Secretary General speaks to the youth about the importance of sport towards a better tomorrow and this respect element has made IFMA what it is today; unity in diversity.
All the youth participated in a unified Wai Kru led by the Thai Masters and a special ceremony was held where each youth received a certificate to commemorate this special moment.
