World —
On August 5th, 2024, Muay Thai icon Buakaw Banchamek led a captivating Muay Thai showcase at Club France in Paris. The event, organized by the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) in collaboration with the French National Olympic Committee, featured virtual competition displays during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The atmosphere at Club France was electric, with sports fans from around the world applauding the traditional art of Muay Thai. Buakaw’s presence thrilled international spectators.
This event marks a milestone for the IFMA, which has worked tirelessly for 31 years to promote Muay Thai. The sport was recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, paving the way for potential future inclusion as an official Olympic sport.
Buakaw expressed his pride in representing Thai martial arts on the Olympic stage for the first time. “Seeing Muay Thai at the Olympics is a career highlight. Bringing our art to such a prestigious event is incredible. If Muay Thai becomes an official Olympic sport, it will be a tremendous honor,” he said.
Buakaw also emphasized his role as a cultural ambassador for Muay Thai, showcasing the art to the world. He encouraged young athletes to train diligently, hoping they might one day represent Thailand in the Olympics. “If there’s no age limit, I’d love to compete or perform Wai Kru at the Olympics,” Buakaw added.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
