Thai Boxing

Thai Boxing
One of the most popular spectator sports in Thailand, and now gaining world renown, is the martial art of Thai Boxing(Muay Thai). Exciting enough on TV - the furious punches, crushing elbow strikes, lethal kicks and artful feints are even more exciting when seen live. Witness the passion and drama of one of Thailand's historic sports amidst crowds of onlookers whose cheers blend with the strains of Javanese clarinets, drums and cymbals that accompany the fight from beginning to end.
A Thai Boxing 'Muay Thai' match formally have no more than 5 rounds, each round take 3 minutes to last, with a two-minute rest period in between. No additional rounds is allowed.
Boxers must regularly wear gloves, each weighing not less than 6 ounces (172 gramm).
The gloves must not be squeezed, kneaded or crushed to change its original shape.

Rules on contestants' boxing costumes.
- Contestants must wear only trunks (red or blue according to their corners) appropriately fit their bodies.
- Contestants must wear standard supporters or sturdy athletic cups to protect their groin,Gum shield may be used.
Wear no shirts nor shoes, but ankle cap is permitted.
- A sacred cord known as Mongkol can be worn around the head only during the pre-fight ritual of paying homage to ancestral teachers of Thai Boxing (Muay Thai), to be removed before the start of the fight.
- Metal or other equipments that will be harmful to the opponent is prohibited.
The training of a Thai boxer and particularly the relationship between the boxer and teacher is highly ritualized. As the boxers enter the ring, they perform a special pre-fight dance known as the "ram muay". During the dance, they wear a headband given by their trainer. It is a sacred talisman earned after many years of dedication to the art. The dance starts with "wai khru" -- each boxer kneeling and bowing three times, a show of respect to his teacher. With the ceremonies complete, the fight begins. Each fight consists of five rounds of three minutes each. Accompanying the fight is music stimulated by action in the ring, rising and falling as the boxers battle it out. All surfaces of the body are considered fair targets, and any part of the body except the head may be used to strike an opponent. Common blows include high kicks to the neck, elbow thrusts to the face and head, knee hooks to the ribs, and low crescent kicks to the calf. A contestant may even grasp an opponent's head between his hands and pull it down to meet an upward knee thrust. Punching is considered the weakest of all blows and kicking merely a way to 'soften up' one's opponent; most matches end with a knee or elbow strike.
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