Movement of the activity to bring the sport of "Muay Thai" to show the virtual competition during the 2024 Olympic Games "Paris 2024" in Paris, France, between July 30 - August 8, 2024 under the push of the International Federation of Muay Thai Associations (IFMA) led by Dr. Sakchai Tapsuwan, President of the International Federation of Muay Thai Associations (IFMA), Stephan 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 said activity also promotes Muay Thai, the performance of Muay Thai drums, and the Wai Khru ceremony according to the correct Muay Thai art and culture for athletes and officials from various countries to be aware of the art of Muay Thai originating from Thailand, which is considered an important step to fulfill the dream of Thai people to push for the s port of "Muay Thai" to be included in the Summer Olympic Games in the future. The latest yesterday, August 5, local time, was the official opening day of the Muay Thai show at Club France in Paris, France. There were Lieutenant Colonel Mom Chao Nawaporn Yukol, along with IFMA executives, Buakaw Banchamek, Lt. Therawat Yiuyim, Buakaw's manager, the ancient boxing team led by "Kru Din" Mr. Witawat Khasom, founder of Lanna Fighting, the pipe and drum team led by Mr. Naewwit Niyomwong, among many foreigners who joined the event at Club France, which hosts the 2024 Olympics, has organized a large fan zone for sports fans from around the world to relax, eat, shop, do sports activities, train for sports, and showcase the arts and cultures of all nations. The atmosphere at the Muay Thai boxing ring inside Club France was lively. Sports fans from all over the world joined in watching the ancient boxing performance and applauded the greatness of the Muay Thai art. Meanwhile, international sports fans were excited by the appearance of Buakaw Banchamek, continuously taking photos with the great Muay Thai boxer. Introducing Muay Thai as a virtual competition during the 2024 Olympic Games is an achievement for IFMA after 31 years of hard work since the establishment of the federation. At the previous Olympics in Tokyo in Japan in 2020, Muay Thai was recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as one of the sports that the IOC will consider to include 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 event at Club France 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. Buakaw Banchamek said after performing the Wai Khru Muay Thai show that his feeling when seeing Muay Thai come to fight at the Olympic Games up until now is considered the best in his career. Today, he is a representative of Muay Thai boxers or a representative of Thai national art that has been brought to spread. We come to show at the highest 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. If in the future Muay Thai is truly included in the Olympic Games, it will be a true pride to bring Muay Thai for people around the world to accept. 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 be able to showcase the art of Muay Thai to all nations. Of course, as an athlete, he is very excited to see Muay Thai included in the Olympic Games. If that day really comes, it will be something he is extremely proud of. 'I would like to tell the youngsters who are training in Muay Thai to train in real Muay Thai. In the near future, they may represent the Thai national team in the Olympic Games. I wou ld 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 Wai Khru or to show the art of various dance moves. I myself would like to join the Olympics at least once,' Buakaw said. Then, it was time for 10 Muay Thai matches under the rules approved by IFMA. The highlight match for Thai boxing fans was the 48 kg division, where 'Domethong Luk Jaopho Rongtom' Suphanat Petchrak competed with Mohd Riffadeen Bin Masdor, a famous Muay Thai boxer from Malaysia. The result was that they could not win in a draw and received medals and the competition mascot as souvenirs. On August 6, there is one more Thai boxer in the ring: the 48 kg female division, "Nong Nook M.K. Chaiyaphum" Kulnat On-ok, who is a student of Buakaw Banchamek. Then on August 7, there will be a signing ceremony and promotion of Muay Thai at the Olympic House, attended by Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, President of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Association, President of the Peruvian Olympic Committee and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, followed by a gala dinner for members attending the event. Source: Thai News Agency