Olympic Games 2024 Paris: ”Buakaw” Wai Khru Show, hoping for “Muay Thai” to be included in the Olympics.
Buakaw Banchamek performed the Wai Khru show and received cheers and applause from many foreigners. In organizing the event to bring “Muay Thai” to compete in a virtual competition during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, from July 30 to August 8, 2024, under the promotion of the International Federation of Muay Thai Associations (IFMA).
Buakaw Banchamek said after performing the Wai Khru Muay Thai show that his feelings when seeing Muay Thai fighting at the Olympic Games up until now are considered the best in his career. He is a representative of Muay Thai boxers or a representative of Thai national art that has been brought to be spread. We came to show at the best level of sports like the Olympic Games. It is the first time for him to stand in the Olympic atmosphere and bring our Thai art to show. It is a wonderful atmosphere.
Buakaw continued that another role of his in working with the IFMA is to be a cultural ambassador for Muay Thai. I feel proud to bring the art of Muay Thai to show to all nations. Of course, as an athlete, I am very excited to see Muay Thai included in the Olympic Games. If that day comes, it will be something I am most proud of. “I would like to tell the young people who are training in Muay Thai to train in real Muay Thai. In the near future, they may be representatives of the Thai national team competing in the Olympic Games. I would like everyone to cheer them on. If there is no age limit in the Olympic Games, I am definitely ready to compete, or to show the Wai Khru, or to show off various dance moves. I myself would like to join the Olympics at least once,” said Buakaw.
Buakaw is very proud to be the first Thai boxer in Thai history to bring boxing to compete in a virtual competition during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France. Previously, in Tokyo, Japan, Muay Thai was recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as one of the sports that the IOC will consider to be included in the official competition in the future. The 2024 Olympics is a good milestone that IFMA has been allowed to join the virtual Muay Thai competition at Club France, Paris, under the collaboration between IFMA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Royal Thai Embassy in Paris, so that foreigners around the world can see that Muay Thai is firmly on the path to the Olympic Games.
Promoting Muay Thai in the middle of Paris 2024, the first day was lively. ‘Buakaw’ is a magnet that attracts foreigners to watch. He vows to see Muay Thai included in the Olympic Games. He is very proud to act as a cultural ambassador.
The movement of the event to bring “Muay Thai” to compete in a virtual competition during the 2024 Olympic Games “Paris 2024” in Paris, France Between July 30 – August 8, 2024, under the promotion of the International Federation of Muay Thai Associations (IFMA), led by Dr. Sakchai Tapsuwan, President of the International Federation of Muay Thai Associations (IFMA), Stephane Fox, Secretary-General of IFMA, joining forces with the French National Olympic Committee and “Buakaw Banchamek”, Lieutenant Sombat Banchamek, a 42-year-old world-famous Muay Thai boxer from Samrong Thap District, Surin Province.
In addition to the virtual Muay Thai show competition, the event also promotes Muay Thai, the performance of Muay Thai drums, and the Wai Khru ceremony, in accordance with the correct Muay Thai art and culture, so that athletes and officials from various countries are aware of the art of Muay Thai that originated in Thailand, which is an important step in fulfilling the dream of Thai people to push for the sport of “Muay Thai” to be included in the Summer Olympic Games in the future.
Most recently, August 5 was the opening day of the Muay Thai show activity. Officially, the first day at Club France, Paris, France, with Lieutenant Colonel Mom Chao Nawaporn Yukol, along with IFMA executives, Buakaw Banchamek, Lt. Thirawat Yiuyim, Buakaw’s manager, the ancient boxing team led by “Kru Din” Mr. Witawat Khasom, founder of Lanna Fighting, the drum team led by Mr. Naewwit Niyomwong, among many foreigners who joined the event at Club France, which the host of the 2024 Olympics has organized a large fan zone for sports fans from around the world to relax, eat, shop, do sports activities, practice sports, and showcase the arts and cultures of all nations.
The atmosphere at the Thai boxing ring inside Club France was lively. Sports fans from around the world joined in watching the ancient boxing performance and applauded the excellence of the art of Thai boxing. At the same time, foreign sports fans were excited about the appearance of Buakaw Banchamek, continuously coming to take photos with the great Thai boxer.
The virtual Muay Thai competition during the 2024 Olympic Games is a success for IFMA after 31 years of hard work since the establishment of the federation. At the previous Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, Muay Thai was recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as one of the sports that the IOC will consider to be included as an official competition in the future. The 2024 Olympics is a good milestone that IFMA has been permitted to participate in the virtual Muay Thai competition at Club France in Paris under the collaboration of IFMA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Royal Thai Embassy in Paris to let foreigners around the world see that Muay Thai is firmly on the path to the Olympic Games.
Reporters reported that as soon as Buakaw Banchamek performed the Wai Khru show, he received cheers and applause from many foreigners.
Buakaw Banchamek continued that another role of his in working with IFMA is to be a cultural ambassador for Muay Thai. He feels proud to bring the art of Muay Thai to show to all nations. Of course, as an athlete, he is very excited to see Muay Thai be included in the Olympic Games. If that day comes, it will be something he is extremely proud of.
Muaythai – Olympic Games 2024 Paris
“If in the future Muay Thai is truly included in the Olympic Games, it will be a true pride to bring Muay Thai to people all over the world to accept.”
“I would like to tell the young people who are training Muay Thai to train in real Muay Thai. In the near future, they may be representatives of the Thai national team competing in the Olympic Games. I want everyone to cheer them on. If there is no age limit in the Olympic Games, I am definitely ready to compete, or to show the Wai Khru, or to show the art of various dance moves. “I also want to join the Olympics once,” said Buakaw.
Buakaw
