Muaythai Goes Global

Since 1990 IFMA has worked hard towards getting Muaythai included at various multi sport games around the world. Muaythai was a demonstration sport at the SEA Games in 1995 as well as at the Asian games in 1998. In 2005, it became a full medal sport in the male category at the SEA Games. In 2008, the women’s category achieved the same advancement.

Muaythai also has been included into the Arafura Games, one of the biggest multi sport games in the Asia Pacific region.

Another milestone for the sport is its inclusion as an official sports program at the TAFISA World Sport for All Games in Busan Korea, which is under the patronage of the IOC. At these games, Muaythai has received permission to officially hold the 2008 IFMA World Championships.

Muaythai has truly gone mainstream with television programs on ESPN, Fox Sport, Euro Sport and AXN just to name a few. The sport is on the peak of its popularity with millions of viewers tuning in each week to watch the programs.

Muaythai is a proud member of GAISF and the international Muaythai community will continue to strive to achieve the goal of earning Muaythai its long awaited recognition of the IOC.