On 6th February 2013, the international Muaythai community together with local dignitaries and officials celebrated Muaythai Day. This annual event honors King Sanphet VIII (also known as “Phra Chao Suea” the “Tiger King”), who was renowned for his enthusiasm and love of Muaythai, often disguising himself as a commoner, in order to participate at local events and to spar with local champions. The sport and art flourished during his reign.
Thai National Team in High Spirits
The Thai National team gave their official press conference to a packed room, as they plan to travel to Russia next week for the IFMA World Championships, with the hopes of regaining their number 1 team position in the world, a spot which has been intensely sought after in the past year.
“Inherited Art of Muaythai”: Ten thousand children participate in Prince Cup Muaythai Festival
Ten thousand children from all Thailand’s provinces participated in this year’s festival in honour of HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, jointly organized by the BMA, the WMC and IFMA. The children come from all walks of life, from schools and social institutions, all participating in various non-fighting contests such as the Wai Khru and Muaythai technique, Muay Aerobic (Kee-a-Muaythai), Muaythai Music and Na-ta Muaythai. In each of these divisions, there were two categories: under 15 and over 15.
Dr. Sakchye Tapsuwan Re-elected as IFMA President
Dr. Tapsuwan, President of the AMTAT under Royal Patronage and IFMA has been re-elected for a 3rd term in the office of IFMA President.
The Grand ballroom of the Radisson SAS hotel in Tahskent was the venue for the 2011 IFMA General Assembly, at which the IFMA board was re-elected.
Stephan Fox was re-elected as the General Secretary of IFMA while Mr Kajorn Prowsri was re-elected as Treasurer. Karim Massimov, PM of Kazakhstan was re-elected as Vice President together with Mr. Yeo Kyu Tae from Korea. Sue Latta, Chairman of the Female Commission was elected as the first female Vice President on the Executive Committee.
Other Vice Presidents re-elected include:
Tim Lee (Executive Member, HKMTA)
Jacques Mairesse (President, EMF)
Mats Soderstrom (Executive Member, SMF)
Gary Trappler (Executive Member, SAAMF & IFMA Legal Commission)
Drissa El Hilali (President, MAR NF)
Jorge Vasquez (President, MEX NF)
Gennady Trukhanov (President, UKR NF)
For the IFMA Executive Board, the following people were elected:
Roger Sallis (President MTA)
Emilio Becker (Executive Member, SPA NF)
Sherzod Tashmatov (President, UZB NF)
Anthony Lin (President, USA NF)
Mervyn Tan (President, AMAS)
Ralph Beale (International Coordinator UKMF)
Mike Miles (Executive Member, CAN NF)
Detlef Turnau (President, MTBD)
Gen. Lucas Managuelod (President, PHI NF)
Rafal Szlachta (President, POL NF, General Secretary EMF)
Zhou Jin Biao (Prepresentative Muaythai CHN)
Halil Durna (President TUF NF)
Dmitry Putilin (President RMTF)
Javad Nasiri (President, IRN NF)
Sami Kiblawi (President, LEB NF)
Iztok Vorkapic (President, SLO NF)
Julie Malene Witt (President, DEN NF)
Muhd Shahnaz Azmi (MAS NF)
The meeting drew much attention from the media, with many important points on the agenda.
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