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Muay Thai Striking Muay Thai is a standing striking style with a minimal amount of standing grappling techniques and no ground fighting at all. This style consists of only a few techniques (compared to most styles), however, those techniques have proven very effective in striking situations. It is one of the few styles to practice kicking to the opponents legs during free form striking (sparring). It also makes good use of elbow and knee strikes in addition to fist strikes. Many of Muay Thai's techniques and strategies have been incorporated into our Shinbudo program. However, in Shinbudo, the training methods have been updated, and more footwork and defensive options have been added to avoid injuries (a common problem with traditional Muay Thai), and to provide more options for avoiding the opponents force rather than clashing with it. History The historical records of Thailand were burnt by Thailand's long time enemy, the Burmese, in 1769, so many historical records have been lost. Muay Thai started back in the medieval ages when wars were fought with bow and arrows, swords, and pikes. In hand-to-hand combat arms, legs, knees and elbows were also used as weapons. This art, which was included in military training, was made famous by King Naresuan (1560 A.D.). During one of the many battles between Burma and Siam (the previous name of Thailand), he was captured. The Burmese knew of his prowess as the best unarmed fighter in the realm and gave him a chance to fight with their champion for his freedom. Naresuen is said to have won and became a national hero. Probably the most famous Thai fighter of all time is Nai Khanom Dtom. During the many wars with Burma, Muay Thai fights were still being held and Nai Khanom Dtom was known as the greatest fighter in all of Siam. The Burmese had heard of how great this fighter was so they captured him to pit him against 9 of Burma's greatest fighters. If he could defeat all 9, he would be allowed to go free. The day of the fight came and a stadium was filled with Burmese people all wanting to see the death of this Siamese fighter. The first fighter came out and was instantly killed by Nai Khanom Dtom's lethal elbows and knees. The next fighter came out and met the same fate. One by one each fighter came out and fought ferociously to their death. As the Burmese people watched this fighter struggle against the odds and battle each fighter without rest, they soon found themselves cheering for their enemy, Nai Khanom Dtom. At the end of the day, Nai Khanom Dtom stood among 9 lifeless bodies in the middle of the stadium. The crowd cheered and the King of Burma had no choice but to set him free. To this day Thai boxers dedicate on night each year to the memory of Nai Khanom Dtom. Upon his return to Siam he was hailed as a hero and Siamese-style boxing, as it was called then, was soon recognized as a national sport. About 200-250 years ago, a king named Pra Chao Sua trained religiously in the art of Muay Thai. He was reputed to have trained six hours a day with his soldiers to perfect his art. Every village of that time would have prize matches with everyone competing; young and old, rich and poor. The king would disguise himself as a peasant and sneak out, village to village entering the tournaments and defeating all takers. He would spend hours by himself perfecting his techniques, and then test them in the village tournaments. His nickname became the Tiger King. So great was his legend that even today his techniques still exist and are known as the Tiger King style. In the years that followed, Muay Thai's popularity waxed and waned with the shifting cultural tides. In 1921 King Rama VI held a boxing tournament at the Sanaam Suan Kulaab (Rose Garden Field). Besides Thai boxers, competitors from China, India, and Burma (now known as Myanmar) were also invited to what became the largest Muay Thai event in history. Rules of the day permitted fighters to head-butt, bite, and pull the hair of their opponents. Instead of gloves, cotton wrappings dipped in glue covered their hands. In 1929, Muay Thai was slightly reformed with a few rules to help protect the fighters. Gloves and groin protection must be worn, weight classes were implemented, fighters must fight in a restricted weight class and bouts are regulated with time limits: amateurs will fight three rounds of three minutes each and pros will fight five rounds. Amateurs and pros alike have two minutes of rest between rounds. A referee is in the ring with two judges on the outside. A Thai fighter is allowed to use the "8 deadly limbs" of Muay Thai: the feet, knees, fists and elbows. He may attack nearly any target as long as the opponent is standing except for the groin. He may catch the opponents kick to immediately knock him off of his feet. He cannot throw with hip, shoulder or arm throws. At the same time, intangible qualities such as respect, courage, courtesy, patience, humility, and compassion are emphasized with equal vigilance. The goal is to produce a fighter who is "as gentle as a lamb, as fierce as a lion." Muay Thai is regarded as a prestigious national sport that is practiced by hundreds of thousands in Thailand. It has spread over the entire world and is enjoying incredible success. Thai boys will in one way or another learn how to box Thai style. Even Thai girls will know enough of the basic principles and have the ability to use it for self-defense when necessary. Click Here For More Shinbudo Information
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If you are interested in taking one or more classes at the Warrior's Cove, we suggest you visit during the class you are interested in. We have a seating area for visitors. You may stop by as many times as you like to watch classes. You may also participate in one free class in each program that we offer. You will find both our instructors and the other members to be friendly, informative, and supportive. If you have any questions that are not answered at this website, please call or email the office nearest you.
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