Historical Moment for Muay Thai – Lumpinee Finally Has Its First-Ever Women’s Fight [Full Fight Video Included] Posted on September 21, 2021September 21, 2021 By Angela Chang Many thought they would never live to see the moment, but on September 18, 2021, it finally happened. Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, infamous for its signs around the ring forbidding women to touch the stage, hosted its first female bout.A photo from 2017. It depicts two male fighters competing and the sign on all sides of the ring “LADIES PLEASE DON’T TOUCH THE STAGE” is visible. It was clear how little Lumpinee wanted to invest in women fighters back then. Times have changed. And they continue to change. Photographer: Nick WangContentsBetter Late Than NeverBoth an Indicator and VehicleWhat’s NextFull Fight Video – Sanaejan vs BuakawBetter Late Than NeverAfter being put off for more than four months due to COVID-19 restrictions in Thailand, the whole world watched in awe as Sanaejan Sor.Jor.Tongprajin and Buakaw Mor.Kor.Chor. Chaiyaphum made history. The 17- and 21-year olds, respectively, fought for five rounds. The action-packed fight was for the coveted WBC Muaythai World Title @ 105 pounds. WBC Muaythai said, “The fight itself, even though not the show’s headliner, quickly stole the show as all eyes from the gazing domestic and International MuayThai community watched in anticipation for this defining paradigm shift for the sport.”With well-placed knees and teep, Sanaejan, a muay khao, won via unanimous decision. Buakaw, who has competed in the Asian Muaythai Championships and has won gold and best wai kru award, was no pushover. But Sanaejan seemed to have just a bit more explosiveness and better timing. It was a well-deserved win for her. View this post on InstagramA post shared by Muay Ying มวยหญิง (@muay.ying) The event had no audience. In the stream, a conference call screen of people watching the fight from all over the world could be seen in the background. Due to the current situation in Thailand, many sponsors for the show couldn’t show up in person, so a modern-day adjustment was made.Both an Indicator and VehicleLumpinee is, arguably, the most prestigious Muay Thai stadium in the world. They made a big (and unexpected) change despite some backlash from “traditionalists” and those who wanted to adhere to the guidelines set in place by those before them. This is both an indicator and a vehicle for change in the fighting world.Please support the continuation of content on Muay Ying via PatreonIt’s becoming more clear than ever that women’s Muay Thai is on the rise, and there are more opportunities available to women than before. With international promotions such as ONE Championship touting strong women’s divisions in Muay Thai, kickboxing, and MMA, the scene is certainly changing. Many female Muay Thai fighters have transitioned to MMA, or stopped fighting altogether, due to the scarce opportunities available to them.Now, the future looks bright. Perhaps unnecessary transitions, for the sake of opportunity and money, don’t need to happen anymore now that women are finally starting to get the respect they deserve. There’s still plenty of work to be done, but this is an excellent turning point in the history of Muay Thai. With fighters of both the past and present hopeful for the future, the path for women is becoming more and more paved.In an interview with Vice, Sanaejan advised everyone to “keep fighting and stay dedicated. Stadiums are starting to be more accepting towards female boxers. Women will have many more opportunities in this industry. So, stay motivated.”What’s NextThis Saturday, another woman will make history at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium. Souris Manfredi, a French native that’s been living in Thailand for several years, will become the first non-Thai woman to fight on the stage. Originally set to fight Dangkongfah, Petchganya replaced Dangkongfah. Recently, another change was made. Souris Manfredi will now fight Oomsim SritongGym for the WBC Muaythai World title @ 115 pounds. View this post on InstagramA post shared by Muay Ying มวยหญิง (@muay.ying) There will be a live stream coming from Lumpinee’s Facebook page, but the video will also be posted (with some parts translated) on our YouTube channel.Full Fight Video – Sanaejan Sor.Jor. Tongprajin vs Buakaw Mor.Kor.Chor. ChaiyaphumSome of the commentary and text of the stream have been (loosely) translated – fighter’s background, bio, and their role in making history. This video is property of Lumpinee GoSport. If you want an in-depth guide to training in Thailand, I’ve got just the thing. Muay Thai News female fight lumpineefirst women fight lumpineemuay thai
Fighting and Training Running for Muay Thai: The Benefits, Working Your Way Up to It & How To Prevent Injury Posted on March 17, 2021August 7, 2023There are many aspects to becoming more serious about Muay Thai that are non-negotiable to most coaches. The one that has been talked about by all, dreaded by many, yet tried-and-true, is running. At the top of the Muay Thai pyramid, professional fighters in Thailand do long runs every morning, and have been for decades. It seems like anyone who is to be taken seriously in the sport needs to run a lot, or, at the very least, is expected to at some point. Read More
Muay Thai The Rise of Female Muay Thai: How the Last Few Years Have Shaped the Sport Like Never Before Posted on April 28, 2021April 28, 2021Female Muay Thai is on the up. There have been tremendous leaps and bounds in the sport in the last couple of years. All these progressive steps have led to more opportunities for women to fight, given them a brighter spotlight in the fight scene and (in some cases) better paydays. A few organizations and events are to thank for this newfound interest in women fighters, whether by proactive or reactive means. Read More
Muay Thai The Inner Workings of Thai Gym Contracts: How They Work and How they Currently Contribute to Gender Disparity and Inequalities in Muay Thai Posted on July 12, 2023August 7, 2023In the intricate world of Muay Thai, the workings of Thai gym contracts have long been shrouded in mystery. These contracts play a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of the sport, but they also contribute to the perpetuation of gender disparities and systemic inequalities within the community. In this article, we will delve deep into the complexities of Thai gym contracts, shedding light on their inner workings and the impact they have on fighters, particularly women. Read More