Eight Limbs and Five Rings
Muay Thai's Journey to the Olympics
Charissa Tynan is the director general of the International Federation of Muay Thai Associations (IFMA), the organisation leading the charge to bring the art of Muay Thai to the Olympic Games.
She says, “Absolutely, I believe Muay Thai deserves a place in the Olympic Games, not just for the prestige but for what it represents as a sport and a cultural tradition. "
Beneath the vast, unyielding gaze of history, the Olympics rise as a spectacle of human will. They are the pinnacle of the human form and mind, from sprinters to weight lifters to judokas and skateboarders. However, some would argue that the games still miss one event that encapsulates all of this.
Thailand is the home of the ancient art of Muay Thai, known as the art of eight limbs. Fighters have honed their craft in sweltering gyms, their fists, elbows, knees, and shins telling stories of sacrifice, triumph, and history in the ring. Muay Thai has been tried and tested for thousands of years across battlefields, on streets, and in rings. It has earned a global presence, being widely considered one of the greatest forms of martial arts in the world.
For those unfamiliar, Muay Thai traditionally consists of five five-minute rounds with two-minute rest periods.
Unlike other striking martial arts, such as Kickboxing, Muay Thai Fighters use punches, kicks, elbows, knees, and standing grappling techniques against their opponents. They can also catch kicks and perform certain throws and sweeps.
This striking craft has steadily spread across the globe. In the UK alone, there are 700 dedicated Muay Thai gyms and 400 MMA gyms offering Muay Thai classes. According to Muaythairecords.com, an estimated 100,000 people in the UK alone practise Muay Thai.
Image via Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu
Image via Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu
ONE Championship, arguably the most notable professional promotion in the world, is Asia's largest billion-dollar global sports media property, broadcasting worldwide to over 190+ countries.
According to Nielsen viewership ratings, ONE ranks among the world’s top 10 biggest sports media properties.
As the International Olympic Committee (IOC) embraces the sport’s growing global appeal, Muay Thai fighters, coaches, and fans are looking to a new era—one where the roar of the crowd will echo not just in Bangkok’s Stadiums but in the greatest arena of all: the Olympic Games.
But the journey to Olympic recognition hasn’t been without challenges. From debates over scoring and format to concerns about cultural preservation, Muay Thai’s path forward has been as gruelling as one of its five-round battles.
As the world watches, one question remains: Can the soul of Muay Thai survive the possible transformation into an Olympic event?
As Muay Thai edges closer to becoming an Olympic event, the sport finds itself at a crossroads. Here, voices from inside the ring, including a current Team GB fighter, a coach, and a former world champion, reflect on what’s gained and what might be lost in the pursuit of global legitimacy.
What is IFMA?
The International Federation of Muay Thai Associations is the organisation leading the campaign for Muay Thai as an Olympic sport. Three decades ago, in 1993, it began as a small federation with several enthusiastic countries and has since grown to 140 member countries worldwide, with five continental federations existing under a single, unified regulatory body.
The IFMA world championships are widely considered the gold standard for amateur Muay Thai. The organisation adopts the values of the IOC and the fundamental principles of Olympism, including sustainable development of sport, the education of youth through sport and recognition of the practice of sport as a basic human right. To that end, IFMA believe that any individual must have the opportunity to practice Muay Thai free of discrimination of any kind, be it racial, gender, sexual orientation, religious or political.
Charissa Tyan, the Director General of IFMA
Charissa Tyan, the Director General of IFMA
Charissa Tynan's journey in Muay Thai began over 17 years ago when she joined the IFMA. Over the years, she has had the privilege of witnessing the sport’s evolution on the global stage.
As Director General of IFMA, she oversees the federation's strategic direction and operations, working closely with the Executive Committee, National Federations, athletes, and key stakeholders, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Her role involves continuing the growth and governance of Muay Thai as a recognised sport while spearheading initiatives that align with IFMA’s mission to develop Muay Thai globally.
A significant part of her work has also been dedicated to IFMA’s Olympic recognition journey, ensuring that they meet the high standards of integrity, inclusivity, and governance in line with Olympic values.
She said, “When I first started working in Muay Thai, it was still largely perceived as a traditional martial art rooted in Thailand. Over the years, I’ve seen it transform into a truly international sport, growing in structure, inclusivity, and recognition.
“Through collaboration with our international partners, I am proud to contribute to Muay Thai’s expansion, from grassroots development to elite competition, ultimately paving the way for its inclusion in future Olympic programmes.”
She said, “Absolutely, I believe Muay Thai deserves a place in the Olympic Games, not just for the prestige but for what it represents as a sport and a cultural tradition. That being said, I don’t see Olympic inclusion as the final destination—rather, it’s about the journey, the development, and the values we promote along the way.”
She believes that the pursuit of Olympic participation has already driven huge improvements and that the sport has ultimately benefited from simply having the goal to meet those standards.
“Of course, when you look at the numbers, only a small percentage of athletes will ever compete at the Olympic Games, but that’s true for every sport. The real impact is in what happens before and beyond that stage. Through IFMA’s work, we are opening doors for young athletes worldwide, giving them access to education, international events, and a pathway to success, whether inside or outside the ring."
But combat sports struggle for recognition at major multi-sport events due to the need for balance across various disciplines. Organisers aim to represent a broad spectrum, including team sports, endurance events, and precision-based competitions, which often limits how many combat sports can be included
So while combat sports have a tougher road to recognition due to the need for balance in event programmes, Tynan says that Muay Thai’s unique combination of tradition, action, and global appeal gives it an edge, a confidence she says is backed by decades of hard work and undeniable growth.
Kevin von Duugless-Ittu is a journalist and photographer based in Thailand who has spent a decade documenting and preserving the history and tradition of Muay Thai in the Muay Thai Library, alongside his wife, Sylvie, who herself is nearing 300 fights, the most recorded by a foreigner ever. He suggests that this growth may, in fact, be deniable.
His research suggests that the loss of Muay Thai popularity has only been slowing. For instance, Google search trends suggest it has been slowly eroding for over a decade.
the search trends for Muay Thai globally since 2004
the search trends for Muay Thai globally since 2004
He says, "I think some of this sense of rapid expansion is a mirage generated by ONE's systematic control over social media channel messaging, and the bubble nature of social media discourse... IFMA, other organisations, and ONE have very good reasons to overstate the rise in popularity and create the impression of a surge for political reasons"
A grassroots fight in Thailand. Image via Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu
A grassroots fight in Thailand. Image via Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu
Kevin von Duugless-Ittu
Kevin von Duugless-Ittu
Here, you can see that the trend in search presence has declined since 2015. But it also seems that ONE's efforts and the government's initiatives have at least flattened its popularity drop after the COVID-19 pandemic and, in some part, begun to recover.
Gamblers have traditionally been the bedrock of not only the Muay Thai economy, but also the atmosphere. Image via Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu
Gamblers have traditionally been the bedrock of not only the Muay Thai economy, but also the atmosphere. Image via Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu
He thinks that IFMA, international organisations, and the Thai government's soft efforts to learn harder into the tourist economy and use Soft Power to make Muay Thai a cornerstone of Thailand's cultural export and influence upon the world, have had an impact, creating a soft plateau and perhaps even a slow climb in some regions of the world. But this move comes with risks to the fabric of the sport itself.
For example, the amateur Muay Thai we see under IFMA differs in some ways from the sport's traditions.
Muay Thai has a unique scoring system that often causes contention among foreigners. Most people are familiar with Boxing’s usual 10-point system, in which each round is considered individually and scored, with one fighter generally getting 10 points and the other fewer, depending on the dominance shown. Traditionally, in Muay Thai, the whole fight is considered, with the later rounds holding more weight when scoring.
Also, strikes must be measured by their actual damage and effect on the opponent, as opposed to simply landing.
Amateur Muay Thai under the IFMA ruleset can at first seem quite different from its traditional counterpart, but it is most likely what Olympic Muay Thai would look like. In this format, the bout would take place over only three three-minute rounds, each scored in a more conventional Western boxing style 10-point must system.
Darren Phillips is widely regarded as one of the UK's best experts on traditional Muay Thai judging and is one of only three people accredited to teach judging in the UK.
He believes that without the traditional scoring system, it is not a true representation of Muay Thai and shouldn't be called such.
The structure of an Olympic tournament, however, demands a clear and immediately understandable scoring system, especially when being judged by an international panel. If the system is too complex or difficult for non-Muay Thai experts to grasp, it could create challenges for fair decision-making and spectator appeal.
He said, "There is no way they are going to fully involve Muay Thai unless it is that watered down; it no longer reflects the actual sport."
IFMA believes traditional Muay Thai will always remain, but Tynan expects the Olympic format will likely lead to athletes and coaches refining their approach to fit tournament-based scoring, similar to how we’ve seen in other combat sports like boxing, taekwondo, and wrestling.
Shane Fazen is a renowned martial artist, coach, and the creative force behind FightTips, one of the most popular YouTube channels for combat sports and self-defence. With over a decade of experience in martial arts, including Muay Thai, Shane has become a trusted source for practical fighting techniques, fitness tips, and training advice, which has earned him a massive global following with 3.4 million subscribers on YouTube.
Shane in an instructional on his YouTube channel FightTips.
Shane in an instructional on his YouTube channel FightTips.
He says, "With wrestling, boxing, and pankration being among the first Olympic sports, it only makes sense that a globally recognised sport like Muay Thai deserves its spot in the Olympics.
However, he recognises some issues with having a recognisable ruleset and governing body that everyone deems the standard.
Unlike Phillips, Fazen is in the camp that believes that some compromise is necessary and worth it.
“There is this argument compared to the 'watering down' of Taekwondo, but that's point sparring, where the action halts every time a strike is landed. A knockout is a knockout.
"Perhaps there will be some dilution, but that won't compare to how much more recognition the art will get by becoming an Olympic sport. It's a small price to pay, and if you truly care about seeing the sport grow, you will support the efforts of making it an Olympic sport."
Shane holds pads for his fighter and American Muay Thai star Luke 'the chef' Lessei.
Shane holds pads for his fighter and American Muay Thai star Luke 'the chef' Lessei.
The Traditions
As a martial art, Muay Thai encompasses more than fighting techniques. Deeply rooted in 2000 years of Thai and Buddhist traditions, the world of Muay Thai has tried to preserve as much of it as possible.
In Thailand, each fight begins with the fighters performing a Wai Kru. A prayer or ritual to pay respect to their coaches. Followed by a Ram Mauy, a ceremonial dance honouring the lineage and art of Muay Thai. Fighters also wear a traditional headpiece called a Mongkhon, believed to offer protection and good luck, and symbolic armbands called Pradjits. All set to the lively, shifting rhythms of Sarama music, which change alongside the action in the ring, creating a truly unique atmosphere.
In many other combat sports, pre-fight rituals are often seen as separate from the competition, but in Muay Thai, they are an essential element.
All of these traditions, despite their beauty and admiration from enthusiasts, can be seen as an inconvenience by casual audiences and promoters, particularly in the West, where the Ram Muay is often omitted except for possibly the headline fight. Many are worried about whether these will still be part of events on the Olympic stage.
Fazen says, “I don't think it's required that athletes perform a Ram Muay before every match, for the sake of time, but paying homage and educating viewers is paramount in preserving the true authenticity of the art."
IFMA is still proud of the art’s traditional roots, and Tynan says, " It’s essential that we maintain the cultural roots and values of Muaythai while adapting to Olympic standards. The challenge will be to ensure that, while the sport continues to evolve within the Olympic framework, it never loses its identity, traditions, and deep cultural significance.”
A fighter performing a Wai Kru. Image via Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu
A fighter performing a Wai Kru. Image via Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu
A major step toward this has been the introduction of cultural disciplines such as full medal events, such as Wai Kru and Mai Muay (A performance to showcase techniques), which allow athletes to compete in the sport beyond the ring.
By doing so, IFMA also hopes to provide opportunities for those who may not wish to compete in full-contact Muay Thai but still want to express their skills, knowledge, and respect for the sport’s traditions.
She says, "If Muay Thai enters the Olympics, it should do so as Muay Thai, not as a modified combat sport, but as the full martial art that has been practised for centuries.”
But this is easier said than done, and the influences of globalisation have already begun, along with the battle to balance progress and preservation.
Duugless-Ittu says, "The social forces and class economics which nurtured the sport and made it expressive of Thai culture have been changed by Thailand's shifting demographics and increased modernisation "
He notes that this change is not just a result of internal factors; much of it has come through connections to the global economy.
He says, "Thailand's caretaking of traditional Muay Thai was running into something of a socio-economic dead end."
As a result, foreign interest and investment have become vital economic support for the arts and sports sectors. This has also encouraged the Thai government to boost its investment through soft power initiatives, with a strong focus on growing tourism.
"This being said, when something with so much cultural texture, meaning and structure comes in contact with globalising market forces, this can be extremely corrosive. One has to take both aspects into view," he added.
Sagat Petchinyindee, Muay Thai Legend and the inspiration behind the Street Fighter character of the same name. Image Credit via Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu
Sagat Petchinyindee, Muay Thai Legend and the inspiration behind the Street Fighter character of the same name. Image Credit via Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu
"It's my belief that the reason Muay Thai produced the greatest, most skilled fighters on the planet from the 1980s to the 1990s was because of the traditional values it was expressing. Traditional, cultural forms translated into actual fighting efficacy and freedoms, almost unparalleled by any other fighting art. So in this sense, these elements are incredibly important. And, as Muay Thai becomes globalised, changing its rules, changing its training processes, and its pedagogies to accommodate a global market, it will become deskilled ."
A Violent Reputation
A quick YouTube search for Muay Thai brings up countless 'brutal KO' videos. But its reputation for toughness and violence is a double-edged sword — widely admired, yet also seen as a barrier to Olympic inclusion.
Fazen said, “Yes, elbows mean more blood, and therefore it's more brutal than, say, boxing. It is a brutal sport, after all... but aren't sports inherently risky? Isn't that why we watch and respect the athletes?”
Di Paolo also believes that the sport's violent nature isn't something to shy away from and is part of what makes it so beautiful. At the same time, Olympic values can be true.
He says, "It is extremely violent, but it's not done in any violent sense. You respect your opponent, and they respect you. Everyone has that mutual respect.
"Martial arts are a form of expression through movement, and I think Muay Thai, for me anyway, is the most beautiful that I've seen."
Kard Cheuk is a form of Muay Thai bout where the fighter's hands are bound in rope instead of gloves, and one can only win by stoppage. Image via Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu
Kard Cheuk is a form of Muay Thai bout where the fighter's hands are bound in rope instead of gloves, and one can only win by stoppage. Image via Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu
While Di Paolo embraces the sport's raw intensity as part of its beauty, Tynan points to IFMA's work in reshaping that image, showing how structure, discipline, and athlete welfare guide Muay Thai toward Olympic legitimacy.
Tynan says, "IFMA has developed one of the most structured, regulated, and athlete-focused competition systems in the world.”
The most notable difference is the mandatory use of protective gear, including shin pads, elbow pads, and head guards, designed to safeguard fighters.
One of the most significant issues the sports reputation faces is the perception of child fighting in Thailand, which Tynan says is often misunderstood internationally. While IFMA has implemented strict youth protection policies, there is still a cultural divide in how this issue is viewed.
IFMA has introduced strict safety regulations, limited contact competition rules for youth, and advocates for proper safeguarding policies. However, outside of the IFMA framework, unregulated child fighting remains a concern.
The Value of Gold
What will be the actual effects on the sport if the Olympic mission is successful?
Fazen says, “ It will change the face of the sport forever.”
One of the biggest shifts would be in the way national sporting bodies and governments approach Muay Thai. Many countries allocate significant resources to Olympic sports, which means national Muay Thai federations could receive greater financial support, training facilities, development programmes, and athlete welfare programmes.
Ali winning IFMA European gold in Turkey
Ali winning IFMA European gold in Turkey
“I have had to raise funds numerous times and have had to have the majority of the trip paid by my dad, who has always supported me on my journey in Muay Thai from the start of my first session. I feel it is important to fund sports like Muay Thai, especially for the juniors, as they are ultimately representing the country... I also think it isn't fair to some that unfortunately do not have the money to go on these trips, especially when some are on the complete other side of the world.” Ali said.
A grassroots fight in Thailand. Image via Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu
A grassroots fight in Thailand. Image via Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu
Ali Hussain's first taste of IFMA gold came in Turkey in 2020, when he competed in the European Championships, becoming the youngest Englishman to achieve this honour.
He has since moved on to a professional career in some of the biggest promotions in the UK and Europe.
Ali has been fortunate to showcase his incredible talent and represent Team GB internationally, but it was not easy. Thanks to the support from family and friends, he could take the opportunity to fight for those medals.
He said: “I am honoured to have represented Team GB as it means I have fought at the highest level in the world for my age whilst also representing the country… These opportunities have allowed me to see parts of the world and other cultures that I would not have seen before, and I am grateful to have seen all of these amazing places thanks to Muay Thai.”
How Close is It?
IFMA already regularly participates in major international sports events and holds its own yearly World Championships that bring together the best fighters from different countries to compete in long, Olympic-style events.
In 2012, IFMA announced its goal to join the Olympics by asking the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for recognition. The IOC gave them a list of 54 requirements to meet, which they did by 2021, when the IOC fully recognised them, but they have not yet been included in the Olympic Games themselves.
The IOC fully recognised them but they have not yet been included in the Olympic Games themselves.
At Paris 2024, one of the greatest Muay Thai fighters ever, Buakaw Banchamek, performed a Ram Muay as part of a special demonstration to showcase the art of Muay Thai.
Most recently, IFMA announced that this May, it earned its own weekly segment on the International Olympic Committee's official media platform, The Olympic Channel. They claim this is a groundbreaking milestone for the sport.
All of these factors have people hoping that they will soon be able to witness a Muay Thai fight with Olympic gold at stake.
IFMA aim to achieve this goal by 2038
The Final Bell
Are the Olympics going to unite the world of Muay Thai or tear it down?
One thing is definitely conclusive. Olympic inclusion is a huge opportunity for growth and recognition, despite the challenges.
IFMA remains committed to elevating Muay Thai on the world stage, ensuring that it not only gains Olympic recognition but does so in a way that upholds its traditions, values, and role in empowering athletes worldwide, although purists like Phillips prefer for the sport not to make any compromises.
Ali Hussain says, "I believe Muay Thai should be in the Olympics as it is the best striking sport and also one of the hardest sports in the world. I think that it should be in the Olympics so it can give fighters more opportunities and help not only the fighters but the sport gain more recognition worldwide."
For Duugless-Ittu, like Fazen, globalisation may be necessary for the future and health of the sport, but he urges for, as he says, "the counterbalancing of the deskilling of the sport, and its homogenization for market export, with investment in the grassroots ecosystem that gives rise to the art and sport itself, within Thailand... Globalisation's effects need to be actively balanced and counteracted in concrete, systematic ways."
IFMA hopes to do exactly this. Tynan emphasises that preserving the cultural integrity of Muay Thai is not optional but essential, especially as the sport moves onto the global stage.
Tynan says, “It is not a question of whether culture should be maintained—it must be maintained. The true success of Muay Thai’s journey to the Olympic stage is not just in being included but in making sure that when it gets there, it is still authentic, traditional, and recognisably Muay Thai.”
