IFMA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2007

In celebration of His Majesty the King of Thailand’s
80th Birthday

The IFMA 2007 World Championships were held from November 27 – December 5, 2007 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Over 1,200 athletes, coaches and representatives of 100 Muaythai countries marched into Thailand for the biggest single sporting event ever staged in the Kingdom. To the cheers of a packed stadium, the teams made a colorful entrance with national dress and large delegations from all five continents.

December 5th was the final day and the biggest day of the whole competition. The finals were held outside the beautiful setting of Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) and the Grand Palace, and four hours before the fights started, the grounds were packed to bursting point with over 100,000 spectators, which was the biggest crowd ever at any amateur Muaythai event in the world.

Fighters were blown away by the atmosphere on the grounds, and this atmosphere will never be forgotten by any of the fighters or spectators. To make the event even more memorable, many sporting VIPs from around the world gave IFMA the honor of their attendance. To mention just a few, they included the representatives from the IOC, Mr. Hein Verbruggen, the President of GAISF, Dr. Wu, the world President of Amateur Boxing  (AIBA),  and every IOC and GAISF recognized martial art sent representatives, including the World Federations for Karate, Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing, Judo, Taekwando, Wrestling and Kendo, came to honor IFMA and more importantly His Majesty the King of Thailand’s birthday celebrations.

The event was televised live all over Asia and this was the day that Muaythai without a doubt earned its place as a mainstream international sport.

The candle ceremony for His Majesty the King had all boxers, officials and spectators joined together in an unforgettable moment with a sea of candlelight as far as the eye could see, proudly closing the IFMA Championships and honoring His Majesty the King of Thailand.