Contender Asia Muaythai’s Shining Light

By Stephan Fox Vice President WMC
Co Host and Mentor Contender Asia

Muaythai has achieved enormous milestones within the last three years.  The inclusion into GAISF has allowed Muaythai to become a member of the Olympic mainstream.  This was an exceptionally important development as Muaythai, under the WMC and IFMA, has a suited position equal to other sports such as Football (FIFA), Basketball (FIBA), or any other Olympic or GAISF recognized martial arts.

The world sport community has taken an interest in Muaythai and they have learned to respect the sport and the art.  This is demonstrated with the inclusion of Muaythai in the TAFISA World Sport for All Games, under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which is to be held this year in Busan, Korea.  Furthermore, the IOC will hold its world meeting during the Games and Muaythai has the opportunity to receive further recognition and understanding.

This accomplishment could not have been possible without the hard work from every national federation and support from many dignitaries on the Board of Directors.  For example, the Privy Councilor to His Majesty the King of Thailand, General Chetta Thanajaro, President of WMC , Dr. Sakchye Tapsuwan President of IFMA , Mr. Massimov the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan and many others; and most importantly the contribution from all practitioners who are the real ambassadors for Muaythai.

The living testimony is the 16 Muaythai fighters in the Contender Asia who are from 12 different countries and nationalities, showcasing the sport of Muaythai for the spectators in the stadiums and especially for the worldwide audience of over 400 million people.  Through the Contender Asia, audiences from around the world who previously have shown little interest in the sport have now learned to understand the deep traditions and values in Muaythai.  These fighters have become real role models for the sport, for example, take the motto of the Contender Asia, “Respect All, Fear None.”  While the respect these fighters have for each other is genuine, they are also prepared for any challenge put before them.  Through this, the world will understand how these fighters deal with defeat and victory, as it is a real life story.  Muaythai is not a vicious and bloody sport, it is a sport where the traditions have been kept alive for hundreds of years.  The respect is visibly seen throughout while it is nowhere to be found in many other sports.  Dealing with victory or defeat is part of ordinary life.  People rise and fall at many stages in their lifetime, but it is a matter of how quickly we can get up when we fall down. 

I must thank the Producers of the Contender Asia who have taken Muaythai to a more mainstream audience.  They have managed to show the real aspects of our art and sport in which deep traditions, respect for one another and oneself are the foundations for one of the most exciting ring sports in the world.  The audience has fallen in love with these 16 warriors because of genuinely sad and heart warming moments, like when one fighter had to leave the loft.   I have never seen so much respect between these fighters during my long involvement as a fighter and official in the sport.  These boys carry their scars like badges of honor.   As for me, it was an honor to be the mentor for this show, as well as to train and work with these fine young men. Each moment during this series is real, fighters respect each other by demonstrating the “wai” gesture, the performing of “Wai Kru” prior to each fight, the respect the fighters have for one another in defeat and victory; all these make Muaythai so special.  This is the true Olympic spirit and the world will fall in love with the sport. The cameras are off now and the show is airing around the world.  The losers and winners have come to terms with their fate in the Contender Asia, but the friendship between these boys lives on forever and this is worth more than a ton of gold.

Season Two is already in the planning stage.  For people like myself, this has been a great experience.  I have learned so much within the three months I spent with these fighters.  At times we all get disillusioned.  Is the juice worth the squeeze? And all I can say is, “Yes, it is.”  There is a special bond in the sport and we all must keep on fostering it.  We must care about our students, listen to their dreams, be with them in their time of defeat and stand in their shadow of victory.  The friendship and understanding of different cultures and religions in Contender Asia and the sport of Muaythai is as important as the action in the ring.  So let’s all keep on working hard, having these fighters as ambassadors and make sure in season two their shoes will be properly filled.  At the TAFISA World Sport for All Games, which is also the World Sports Cultural Festival, Muaythai will set the stage on which people can share their cultures and make lifelong friends. The Contender Asia has been a big part of all this, by bringing our sport to people who may never have heard or understood the sport before.

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