America has launched a series of youth development events in muaythai, aiming to increase the numbers of young athletes taking part.
The federation – United States Muaythai Federation – took a large and successful team to the IFMA Youth Tournament in 2016 but they are determined this is just the first of many outings.
In April 70 children attended the first event in San Francisco. Held at the El Nino Training Centre, it was a huge success.
USMF said: ‘The purpose of the USMF Youth Development League is to educate current and promising athletes on how to effectively compete using IFMA style rules. We want to introduce proper Muaythai techniques, culture and practices at a young age in order to build the future of the sport.
‘We want to provide a safe environment to learn Muaythai to help our sport grow. This give us the ability to develop athletes at a young age to compete at the highest level.’
Older athletes who have previously represented the US at IFMA events including Eric Luna and Rudi Ott were there to show the youth where their path can lead.
USMF have made great efforts in the last year under President Michael Corley to bring together various strands of the American muaythai world to move together to competing in The World Games this year and eventually the Olympics. America will host The World Games 2021 in Birmingham, Alabama.
The first steps begin with the young athletes taking part in these development leagues!
