RECOGNISED BY/MEMBER OF JUNE 2011 NEWSLETTER It’s been a busy couple months for MUAYTHAI, with so many successful events since the beginning of 2011! European Championship 2011, Antalya 23rd -29th The event was opened by His Excellency Mr. Esfandiar Rahim April Mashaie, High Advisor and The European Championships in Secretary to the President of Antalya, which brought together 28 Iran, and Dr Sakchye countries from across Tapsuwan, the President of Europe and more than 300 IFMA and President of the participants were a great success. Amateur Muaythai Association of Thailand. The Opening Ceremony was of the highest level, with the opening parade which took The athletes stayed in place along the spectacular luxurious hotels and waterfront with the attended special programs accompaniment of the Turkish were organised to promote national orchestra. The parade aspects such as the cultural was then followed by a depth of Muaythai. This ensured they were at their best and performance by able to provide fights which attained the highest standards the National we have come to expect and the audience was treated in Turkish Ensemble inside seeing the best of Asian Muaythai. the venue, which was yet The Iranian team with the another great benefit of the massive show of the support that comes as being host nation’s the home favourite fought culture and traditions. beyond their expectations The Opening Ceremony capped managing to take the overall off with a celebratory firework team trophy. Thailand came confetti, which created a friendly second in this with the atmosphere before the beginning of the Championships. Kazakhstan team taking third place. The title of Top Fighter was awarded to Eisa The opening ceremony was attended by honored guests Dr Almadar from Iran Sakchye Tapsuwan President IFMA and Somchai and the award for the Sripiew Commission Chairman IFMA from Thailand, Central best Wai Kru went to municipality of Antalia and Executive Board of the European Narawut Pleenamram Muaythai Federation. of Thailand. Muaythai History Made in Iran, Kish Island Asia has truly become a powerhouse of The Open Asia Muaythai with Championship President’s Jordan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, India, UAE, Iraq Cup recently held on the and Korea all providing strong teams to the Championship beautiful island of Kish in and coming away with medals for their superb efforts. Iran this April can only be Deserving of a special described as a resounding success with a total of 28 countries participating. The event was organised and hosted by the Iranian Muaythai Association and with the full support and assistance of the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran had. The event was hosted by the Iranian Muaythai Association under the umbrella of the Federation of Amateur Muaythai Asia and IFMA. RECOGNISED BY/MEMBER OF JUNE 2011 NEWSLETTER WMC-IFMA South American pionships as Uzbekistan was overall the best team. Australia Muaythai Championships came at a close second and Thai- land third. The 20th South America Muaythai Championships were a complete success! The event saw over 30 amateur fights with the participation of athletes from 8 different countries, and 18 professional Macau really improved in the fights, which pitted the best boxers from South America last 12 months and received against one another displaying remarkable skills. The event the 2011 most improved included a fabulous A-1 Super 8 team award. tournament in the 67 KG weight category. South Africa got the trophy It was a magnificent day of pure for the most spirited team. muaythai. A thrilling show of laser The best boxer was given to Artur Kodirkulov, Uzbekistan, and lights painted the night with and the best Wai Khru went to Toby Wilcox, winner of Oce- extreme emotions for the over ania Junior division. 1500 strong World’s crowd, For over six months now, who en- Muaythai the National Culture Min- istry, the World Muaythai Day Council (WMC), the Inter- national Federation of Muaythai Amateur (IFMA), the thusiastically Amateurs Muaythai Association of Thailand (AMTAT), and cheered on to encourage their respective many other dignities within the world of muaythai, have been countries. working closely together to establish the World’s Muaythai Argentina was awarded the 1st place on Day. country prize count, followed by Brazil, as The 2nd of May 2011 will remain as a historical day for Thai- nd rd 2 , and Peru 3 . land and all 128 member countries of WMC and IFMA, as the Ministry of Culture’s proposal to declare February 6th of each year Muaythai Day has finally been approved by the Cabinet of the Royal Thai Government. Arafura Games The day is intended to honour King Somdej Phra Sanpher the Finished with a 8th, better known as Phra Chao Sua, of the Ayutthaya period. Bang! He is renowned in Thailand for his expertise in Thai martial skills. Phra Chao Sua rose to the throne on February 6th, 1702. The Thai Ministry of Culture, Nipit Intarasombat, he 2011 Arafura said in an interview that his proposal was sup- Games in Australia, ported by the Tourism and Sports Ministry, the T again was a major Foreign Ministry, the Fine Arts Department, the Royal Insti- success for muaythai tute, WMC, IFMA and AMTAT. with the stadium filled to the bursting point every competi- The President of the WMC, under directive of the Royal Thai tion day, making muaythai one Government and established by parliament resolution in 1995, General Chetta Thanajaro, stated that this is a proud day for all Thais and certainly for all muaythai friends from all of the main attractions at the around the world. Arafura Games. Dr. Sakchye Tapsuwan, President of the Amateur Muaythai Association of Thailand, the sole national Muaythai federa- The final medal tally was a big tion, under Royal Patronage, stated that next year it will be success for the host of the the inauguration as it is perfectly in line with the concept of upcoming IFMA World Cham- Muaythai trying to become IOC recognized. RECOGNISED BY/MEMBER OF JUNE 2011 NEWSLETTER sacrifices they do to become the champions of all champions. Mr. Brown also explained that with such an important expo- Muaythai Premier League sure, much good can be done. Every athlete will therefore be part of social projects, joining WMC campaigns such as Has Begun! “Muaythai Against Drugs”, in order to take kids off the The Muaythai Premier League, organized by streets. Warrior Caste Productions, in association WMC Vice-President and muaythai TV personality, Mr. Steph- an Fox, was up next and talked about the growth of muaythai with WMC, will be one of the biggest, if not the biggest, worldwide, not just as a competition sport but also as fitness, muaythai series ever staged. self-defense, and importantly, as a cultural art form. He indi- cated that the League will be a huge bust for muaythai as it Never in Thailand the sport shows a mix of the best fighters and entertainment. Each and entertainment press has country in which the league will be held will also be promot- shown so much interest in a ed as sporting hub. muaythai event, Bangkok Park Plaza Hotel was filled Next up was Sonia Couling, Asian TV personality, who will be today. The press conference the host of the series. Ms. Couling stated that she is proud to be part of this League and especially, was hosted by Cindy Bishop and being half Thai half English, East meets press from around the world West, just like in the show muaythai, attended this important break- which is the pride of the Kingdom of through for muaythai. Thailand, but has become a household name around the world. She promised General Chetta Thanajaro, the to do her best to further promote President of the WMC, was the first muaythai, the Kingdom and is very up on the stage to express his joy excited about the upcoming project. and hopes for this Premier League, which will include the best of the best fighters. He further stated that with the Premier League muaythai will go mainstream around the The signing of the main world and will showcase not 3 Thai fighters took only the art of muaythai, place: Sanchai, Kaoklai, but will also feature the Yodsanklai. Buakao was athletes with the status also announced to be they deserve. part of the event. He went on to add that Kevin Ross, from the United States, and Dzhabar, from Russia, both the WMC and IFMA were later called up to represent the other 36 international will continue their promo- fighters. tion of muaythai as a way of September 2nd will mark the start of the League and there life. The Premier League is a would be no better place than Hollywood, Los Angeles, as the fundamental step towards starting city. IOC recognition. Let the biggest MUAYTHAI production begin!! Clifton Brown was next up on stage and as a former WMC World Champion he specified that it was a dream coming true for him to be able to offer the competitors the pay and the exposure they truly deserve. He showed highlights of the first episode of “Into the Fire”, an insight into the fighter’s lives, which will be showed before every live event, showcasing the local fighters where the event is being held, along with their hope, dreams and RECOGNISED BY/MEMBER OF JUNE 2011 NEWSLETTER evening, the WMC Intercontinental Title. Wakeling, the cur- rent champion has to fight five long rounds before he is de- clared the winner by points and successfully defends his title. nother brilliant event was successfully orga- nized on June 11th, in the United Kingdom, under WMC and UKMF sanctioning.