Physically, Muay Thai builds strength and fitness. Mentally, Muay Thai trains the mind by teaching discipline and commitment.
Muay Thai can have such a positive impact on the community by breaking down barriers, building character and uniting all people
regardless of race, sex or age.
Women In Muay Thai
Traditionally, the gender based roles assigned to men and women meant that it was unacceptable for females to train in Muay Thai, let alone compete. Thankfully, this view is gradually changing, and society is beginning to respect that whilst men and women are different, like men, women like to compete in contact sports such as Muay Thai.
Despite this, there are a minority of people that believe it is inappropriate for women to be fighting. Among many reasons, some consider fighting to not be lady-like or butch for a female. In my experience, nothing could be further than the facts, especially with reference to the ladies that we coach.
Challenging Feminism
The fact that women compete in Muay Thai challenges the notion of what it means to be feminine, providing an empowering and gratifying challenge to the mainstream quota.
In addition, Muay Thai broadens the scope of what being a female consists off; in that women can take on all the difficulties that men encounter in the sport, whilst also retaining the characteristics that are specific to women.
Becoming A Fighter – ‘Everyone Has A Story To Tell’
Men and women don’t fight in the ring because they like beating people up – they fight for a reason.
I have a saying that ‘every fighter has a story to tell’. Often, the story relates to something from a fighters’ past, where training and fighting provides a release or enhancement to their life.
Like males, women start fighting because they want to test themselves against their fears, placing them into the 1% of the population who jump the ropes to fight in the ring.
Coaching Perspective
As a coach that trains female fighters, I get a lot of satisfaction from seeing the growth that women experience from Muay Thai.
Muay Thai is a demanding sport and I respect that females can push their bodies to the limit, just like men can.
It is also great to see that Muay Thai is establishing women role models for young girls to look up to, follow and be inspired by.
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