K’taka Muay Thai Team ‘Overall Champs’ in Nat’l Thai Boxing Championship
Mangaluru: Muay Thai Association of Karnataka’ took birth in Mangaluru on 19 April 2016, with the launching of “Muay Thai” which is referred to as “The Art of Eight Limbs”; and using eight points of contact the body mimics weapons of war. The hands become the sword and dagger; the shins and forearms were hardened in training to act as armor against blows, and the elbow to fell opponents like a heavy mace or hammer; the legs and knees became the axe and staff. The body operated as one unit. The knees and elbows constantly searching and testing for an opening while grappling and trying to spin an enemy to the ground for the kill.
Muay Thai Association of Karnataka® (MAK) which is affiliated with the leading Muay Thai organization of India- “Muaythai India National Federation (R)”, has been conducting several mega events throughout the country providing athletes with a very good and safe platform to showcase their skills of Muaythai. In the past, the members of MAK have won many prizes in Muay Thai tournaments like- Nithesh Kumar winning gold medal – 71 to 75 kg category; Akshay Shetty- silver medal- 91+kg category; and Abdul Razzak Sharhan- bronze medal- 67 to 70 kg category in the Senior National Muaythai Championship 2015, (October 1-4, Chhattisgarh); while Uwaiz Jalihal – gold medal -71 to 75 kg category; Abdulla- silver medal- 76 to 80 kg category; Akshatha- silver medal- 45 to 48 kg category; Divya Shree- silver medal- 55 to 58 kg category; Manish Acharya- bronze medal- 57 to 60 kg category; Hemanshu Hegde – bronze medal- 85 to 91 kg category; and Akshay Shetty- bronze Medal- 91+kg category in the National Muaythai Championship- The Federation cup & Title Bouts 2016, (February 18-20, Mumbai)”.
Also, Karnataka Muay Thai Team was also awarded as the second best state, out of the 25 states of the country that took part in the National event-The Federation Cup 2016 which was held at Poisar Gymkhana, Mumbai. Now once again, MAK has added another feather in its cap by winning many medals and “Overall Champions” in various categories in the “Mauythai India National Federation” Federation Cup 2017 and National Muay Thai (Tahi Boxing) Championship held from 10-14 January 207 at Jaipur-Rajasthan.
The Team won the highest number of medals- 6 Gold, 8 Silver and 4 Bronze. The credit for this achievement of the association and its member should go to Nithesh Chandra Kumar, the Team Coach and Secretary of Muay Thai Association of Karnataka, who accompanied 18 fighters from Karnataka, who did an excellent job by bagging quite a few medals. On their arrival at the Mangalore central Railway Station on Monday, 16 January the Team was given a rousing welcome by the president of MAK-Rajgopal Rai, along with Mahesh D Pandya (Vice President-MAK); Advocate Raghavendra Rao (Legal Adviser-MAK); BN Acharya (Adviser-MAK); Sachin Raj Rai ( Joint Secretary-MAK); Manish Acharya (Treasurer); including other family members, guests and well-wishers, among which were-Shekar Rai (International Athlete), Vedavyas Kamath (BJP President- Mangaluru South) and Surendra Sheka and Devicharan Shetty (members of MAK).
Congratulations to MAK team for their tremendous achievement in this Thai Boxing Championship from Team Mangalorean.
DETAILS OF MEDAL WINNERS:
GOLD MEDAL (TOTAL 6)
AKSHATHA – 43 to 48 kgs (girls)
DIVYASHRI – 51 to 54 kgs (girls)
ANISHA R SHETTY – 57 to 60 kgs (girls)
SHODHAN SHETTY – 54 to 54 kgs
UWAIZ JALIHAL – 71 to 75 kgs
HEMANSHU M HEGDE – 81 to 86 kgs
SILVER MEDAL (TOTAL 8)
AAYISHA – 48 to 51 kgs (girls)
ANWITHA ALVA – 54 to 75 kgs (girls)
ARJUN – 48 to 51 kgs
SHABEEB – 51 to 54 kgs
SUHAS – 57 to 60 kgs
RISHIKESH – 76 to 81 kgs
FARZEEN – 86 to 91nkgs
AKSHAY SHETTY – 91+ kgs
BRONZE MEDAL (TOTAL 4)
ISA BIN AYUB – 44 to 48 kgs
SALIM RAZA KHAN – 60 to 64 kgs
ANKUSH R BHANDARY – 64 to 67nkgs
KARTHIK PUTHAN – 67 to 71 kgs
About Muay Thai:
Muay Thai or Thai boxing is the cultural martial art of Thailand. The origin of Muay Thai dates back several hundred years, and was, essentially, developed as a form of close-combat that used the entire body as a weapon. Muay Thai uses the body to mimic the weapons of war. The hands become the sword and dagger; shins and forearms were hardened in training to act as armor against blows, The elbow to fell opponents like a heavy mace or hammer; the legs and knees became the axe and staff. The whole body operated as one unit where the knees and elbows constantly searching and testing for an opening while grappling and trying to spin an enemy to the ground for the kill.
“MUAYTHAI” has been practiced by Thais for over 2000 years and it’s traditions have been passed down from Generation to Generation as with most ancient Self Defense. One of the oldest traditions is a dance called “RAM MUAY”, which every boxer performs before a fight. Before every fight the boxer “seal the ring” by circling three times, after which they perform the “RAM MUAY”, showing respect to their opponents and opposing camps, as well as parents, teachers and whatever religions they may believe in. Many boxers will display their techniques in this warm up and it is the perfect opportunity to study opponents.
For some boxers, the Ram Muay represents deep spiritual beliefs while for others it’s the perfect warm up before a fight to get the mind and body ready for competition. The music is referred to as “wong pee glong” and is played by four musicians, each with their own instruments, pi java (Javanese oboe), glong kaek (a pair of thai drums played by 2 musicians) and a ching (small Thai cymbals). The songs are very specific, only played in Muay Thai. Every boxer wears a traditional headband, called a “Mongkon”, which dates from the beginning of Muay Thai history- it is believed to bring good luck to the competition. Many boxers also wear a “Prajiad” around their biceps, also a long tradition.
Muay Thai fighters often begin training when they are 6-8 years-old. They will begin fighting between 8-10 years of age and may have as many as 120-150 fights ( 3 times as many as a very active boxer ) before they are 24 years old. Muay Thai fighters do not generally have long careers because of starting at such an early age and how physically demanding the sport is on the fighters. Injuries are quite common in Muay Thai fights. From cuts and lacerations to the face and head to broken bones and severe sprains of muscles and ligaments, Muay Thai fighters deal with injuries their entire career. Muay Thai fighters are known for their ability to ignore pain and injury.
Today, the evolution of Muay Thai is finally reaping rewards and recognition. Muay Thai was recently accepted as an Olympic sport, and it is becoming quite popular in many countries throughout the world. Professional fighters in martial arts, K-1, and submission fighting all agree, Muay Thai is an essential part of being an all-around skilled fighter and having stand-up fighting skills. Muay Thai will continue to grow in popularity as new training camps and gyms open around the world.
If you are interested to learn “The Art of Eight Limbs” please contact: Nithesh Kumar- 9742503202; Advocate Raghavendra Rao- 9886267052
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The Art of Eight Limbs! Birth of Muaythai Assn of Karnataka