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Why Is Muay Thai So Popular?


Muay Thai is a close combat sport which makes use of short and strong punches and kicks. An ideal Muay Thai fighter must be able to parry, block, turn, counter attack and throw a large number of punches and also make use of elbows and fingers for defense. This type of fighting style makes use of elbows, shins and knees but these are not the only weapons at a fighter's disposal. Fighters are trained to use their hands, head, elbows and feet in order to damage their opponents. The head is particularly important in this respect as the opponent's head is usually brought down during the course of a match. However, aside from this primary weapon, most fighters will make use of their feet and legs.


Muay Thai is the most popular female martial art in Thailand, where women outnumber men three to one. However, this statistic is disputed by some experts who maintain that there is more male Muay Thai fighters than female ones. One reason for this discrepancy is the fact that Muay Thai is often called "female Muay Thai" or "female fights". Another reason is that the origin of this martial art is somewhat obscure making its exact chronology difficult to establish. The following is the brief history of Muay Thai.


Muay Thai is believed to have been created in the early eighteen hundreds by a Thai tribal chief who was trying to improve his fighting skills. He created a set of twelve basic strikes, which he taught to a group of female villagers. These strikes were later simplified into around six, which are collectively known as "the six strikes". The strikes are believed to have been refined and named Muay Thai after a chief who was highly skilled with this technique. The strikes can be divided into two categories, namely Muay Thai kicking and knee striking. Many Muay Thai fighters make use of both forms of striking in order to inflict damage on their opponents.


A number of factors are credited for the evolution of Muay Thai into what it is today. Experts opine that one of the causes lies in the development of an unconventional stance which enabled Muay Thai fighters to get in close and deliver a barrage of powerful blows with the least amount of preparation. The traditional stance, called the armbar, was adopted from Chinese weaponry like the bow and the small spear. However, it was only later that Muay Thai began using the larger weapons like the two-handed sword or the axe. One of the most significant inventions of Muay Thai was the use of what are known as premium wooden shin pads. These became an essential part of the fight along with the need for shin guards or hand wraps (muay Thai kuda).


Over the years, the martial art has come a long way in terms of development. Some of the most respected fighters in the sport of Muay Thai have been female fighters with the exception of females who are engaged in amateur fights. There are many myths surrounding the origin of Muay Thai such as that it originated in Vietnam, although there has been some evidence that indicates that Muay Thai was in Vietnam long before the US soldiers arrived.


One of the reasons why Muay Thai is taken up by so many people of all ages is the fact that it makes an excellent form of exercise and a good martial art to learn. It also provides a great cardiovascular workout for those who are interested in adding some physical activity to their lives. Most Muay Thai fighters spend a lot of time in the gym working on their technique. Many also spend a lot of time getting into better shape as well. The main focus of the training is on gaining power and accuracy in strikes. Because Muay Thai is a contact sport, most of the strikes involved actually involve both hands and feet.


Another reason why Muay Thai is such a popular sport is because of the large number of weight divisions. In addition to the original eight weight divisions, there are now five weight divisions with each division based around the arm, the leg, and the knee. There are also two weight divisions with no restrictions on how heavy a fighter can weigh. Many people in the United States are beginning to take notice of the benefits of learning this exciting sport. In fact, there are many cities throughout the United States where there are special facilities that feature Muay Thai boxing. Even some major cities around the United States have been designated as having gyms and training facilities specifically for Muay Thai fighters.

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