Dragon’s Gym in Carlisle has expressed its anticipation for the inclusion of Muay Thai at the Paris Olympic Games in 2024. The President of the International Federation of Muay Thai Associations (IFMA), Sakchai Tapsuwan, made the announcement at a press conference in Thailand. He disclosed that Muay Thai would be presented as a demonstration sport during the international event, marking a significant milestone for the sport.
Christian Percival, the coach at Dragon’s Gym, underscored the success of local martial arts talent, Izzie Touray, who recently achieved victory in her second fight in Darlington. Christian conveyed his aspirations that the exposure of Muay Thai at the Olympic Games will serve as inspiration for more young athletes like Izzie to engage in the sport and strive for future Olympic participation.
Additionally, Christian deliberated on the potential impact of Muay Thai’s inclusion as a demonstration sport at the Paris Olympic Games at the local level. He accentuated the significance of IFMA portraying the sport in a positive manner during the exhibition, as it could lay the groundwork for Muay Thai to become a fully-fledged Olympic sport in the future.
In expectation of the sport’s heightened visibility, Christian also emphasized the potential advantages for gyms like Dragon’s Gym in terms of funding and support for the local Muay Thai community. He expressed optimism that increased funding and grants would become accessible to bolster wider participation and address logistical needs.
Ultimately, the inclusion of Muay Thai at the Paris Olympic Games has the potential to bring about positive transformations for the sport, inspiring new athletes and offering assistance to local martial arts communities like Dragon’s Gym. The enthusiasm from the Carlisle gym mirrors the escalating anticipation for Muay Thai’s presentation at the global sporting event.