The art of Eight Limbs. My Muay Thai challenge pt.1

A deadly martial art with an origin lost to time.

A fight filled with ceremony, blood and money.

Driving down the back streets of Bangkok, winding through the alleys past the dirt and the dogs, it was difficult to see the significance of the location we were heading. Our destination however, was no other than Banchamek Gym, training ground of the internationally famous Muay Thai fighter, Baukaw.

The opportunity to learn this enthralling sport was given to me by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Baukaw's Gym was hosting an event known as the 'Amazing Fight' in which several 'farang's' or simply, foreigners, were needed to push the agenda of non-natives studying Muay Thai in Thailand. A slightly ironic turn of events for the likes of myself, given that I was now going to be persuading others to join in an ancient martial art, when the most fight training I'd had was fisticuffs with my elder brother when he wouldn't pass the remote.

Nevertheless, the chance was there, and it had been a while since I'd given my sibling the what-for. It also granted me a marvelous insight into Thai culture and tradition, as well as being able to better myself in mind and body. So despite being nervous about my ability to compete with the rest of the combatants, I approached my home for the next two weeks, determined to step into the prize ring.

What exactly is Muay Thai?

There is a huge variety of martial arts across the glob, all with their own unique styles and merits with many different interpretations depending on where you're training and who's training you. Overall, Muay Thai is a fighting technique that utilizes your entire body as a weapon. Called the,"Art" or, "Science of eight limbs", this style makes use of punches, kicks, powerful knee strikes and debilitating elbow swipes - giving eight points of contact - hence its intriguing name. While the history of the martial art is shrouded in mystery with an intricate web of fascinating origin stories. In modern times it has become Thailand's national sport, attracting the fight enthusiasts, the ex-fighters and the gamblers in their thousands to spectate. And attracting the young and healthy for glory, for fame or as an escape from poverty.

While similar to kickboxing except for the extra points of contact, Muay Thai also allows low kicks and swipes to the legs, knees and elbows. As well as clinches - grabbing your opponent as a form of offence or defence depending on the situation. The best comparison to other martial arts would be 'Pradal Serey' in Cambodia, 'Lethwei' in Myanmar, 'Tomoi' in Malaysia, and 'Lao boxing' in Laos. Despite the vicious and brutal technique, there is a deep culture of respect embedded within.

From dawn til dinner

Introductions were short. For a sport surrounded by ceremony, there certainly wasn't much time for niceties. Upon arrival there was an immediate training session which made me regret the gym session I'd had that morning. Sweating profusely with aching limbs, I hear the vigorously enthusiastic team of trainers shout orders in Thai to push us further, work us harder and perfect our technique.

Every moment you could catch your breath was a blessing and cool water has never tasted so good.

The next morning was a surprise to say the least. A 6am wake up call to start a ten kilometer run through Bangkok was something I still don't think I'm used to, with blisters forming on my feet after only the third day of training. But during the first days of running was when I started to get to know the people around me. Talking in short shallow breaths we exchanged names and where we were from, with a cheeky insight into how experienced each of us was in the world of Muay Thai - where I quickly learned I was the most amateur.

People from across the world had come to train with the famous Baukaw; USA, Greece, Germany, Australia, Tunisia, England, India, Denmark, Hungary - all here to push themselves further and step into the Ring for Banchamek's "Amazing Fight." After the running we had a short break to drink ice cold water and stretch out. And when I say short, I mean I was still panting as we stepped into our sparring gear and trained for the next 3 hours before Lunch - which was made even more enjoyable with the knowledge that afterwards, it was followed by getting back at it until dinner at 5pm.

There was a moment, well, several moments, in which I'd hit a wall - a wall that could be either broken or would break me and a wall that has given me invaluable insight in to how strong you can be when it feels you have no choice. With both the trainers and the fellow trainees pushing each other and helping fight through what felt like the impossible, a brotherhood was forged in the pain of progress. I'm a fairly approachable character, but I've never formed bonds as quick and as strong as I did during the 2 weeks I fought with and against the family at Banchamek Gym.

Soon, the training would be over and the journey to Lopburi to fight my first contestant would begin.