Thanks to watching Muay Thai and Lethwei matches, which piqued my curiousity as a child much more than boxing did, I've learned how valuable knees and elbows can be if used properly...
I love watching Muay Thai matches, but they feel a bit lacking as opposed to MMA nowadays... And MMA has recently become horrible. Hopefully Lethwei gains some popularity, and if so, doesn't turn in to MT or MMA

And rock on, Taison, some good stuff here.

I'm rockin' alright, don't worry. Been rockin' since 1993.

-Taison out

Ashihara and Enshin Karate schools have another type of tournament besides many of them doing "traditional" knock down tournaments.

Both systems deal with an aspect of fighting that is called Sabaki, very short Sabaki deals with positioning and fight control. (Read the Ashikara Karate threads for more info).

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Since 1989 Enshin Karate has sponsored the Sabaki Challenge (officially called the Sabaki Challenge, World Open Tournament and often unofficially called the World Sabaki Challenge) in Denver. The Sabaki Challenge is a full-contact, knockdown-rules, single elimination tournament that fulfills Kancho Ninomiya's vision of a showcase of a "true," stand-up martial arts skills competition. The tournament is open to advanced male and female competitors of any style. The tournament competitors are usually divided up into (male) lightweight, middleweight, heavyweight, and female divisions.

The rules of the Sabaki Challenge favor and promote use of the sabaki method. Therefore, in addition to kicks, punches, and other strikes, grabs, sweeps, and throws are generally allowed. Points are awarded for putting one's opponent on the ground in a controlled manner. Hand and elbow strikes to the head and neck aren't permitted, but kicks are. Grabs are permitted to one side of the opponent's body for three seconds at a time. Since it is a full-contact tournament, knock-outs do sometimes occur.

In addition to the annual Sabaki Challenge in Denver, many satellite Enshin dojo sponsor local, sabaki-style tournaments. These tournaments follow the same rules as the main Sabaki Challenge and are open to competitors from other styles. They usually include the word "sabaki" in the tournament title. An example would be the Northeast (USA) Sabaki Regional sponsored by Enshin's New Jersey dojo.

Two Ashihara Karate organizations also sponsor tournaments that they title as sabaki challenges and follow rules similar to Enshin's sabaki tournaments. Ashihara Karate International sponsors an annual sabaki challenge in South Africa that, like Enshin's sabaki challenge, is open to competitors from other styles. The original Ashihara organization (New International Karate Organization (NIKO)- Ashihara Karate Kaikan) sponsors an annual tournament in Denmark called Sabaki Challenge Spirit. However, this tournament is only open to members of NIKO.

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Meliam

3 May 2007 my first fight in Thailand at 44 yrs. old.

My feelings is Thai people are very friendly to foreigners, especially if they practice/ learn Muay Thai BUT the Thais have to see your HEART, you have to prove it to them and it takes a long time to truly give to you and they are not in any hurry.

One main part of Muay Thai is Saabaay Sabaay (RELAX!!), that must come from your HEART and most foreigners (ME) have RAGE in their Hearts. Muay Thai is the extreme in humbleness and peace in the spirit while in PAINFUL combat and to foreigners that is almost impossible. I have been trying to do it of over 15 years and maybe when I am 50 years old I might achieve the Thai Heart in Muay Thai.

Okay that is my Sermon for the day.

Phra Jao uay porn, DOC.

Sawasdii krab -(www.thai-language.com)

www.ContenderAsia.com

Doc,

You're in good shape, for real. I envy you.

I don't have much time these days to get into shape and stuff. I'm being honest, I am fat =P

Yes, Thais are very friendly, but since olden age, they don't TRUST foreigners. Yes, it takes some time to prove to them.

The Thai heart. Heard of it, but it's a myth for me. Never really understood the whole thing about being peaceful while in combat. But then again, it's one of the reason I am where I am now; No where.

-Taison out

Taison, I am FAT, the Thais are always telling me how FAT I am and next week I am going to do some DETOXING and try to loose some weight. I am 80KG and I want to be under 75KG and I feel good down there. HEY, come to Thailand and get INSPIRED again.

Err...

I am in Thailand.

-Taison out

Where in Thailand are you BRO??

E-mail me at docthailand@gmail.com

I'm in BKK.

I was in Pattaya yesterday, but got too heavily drunk.

-Taison out

@ Taison
Last summer I read some stuff about Pradal Serey (Khemer boxing). As far as I know it's slightly different from modern muay thai. And rules they are fighting with during matches are slightly different from muay thai as well.
In one article I read that it is actually a predecessor of muay thai (although I really doubt about it).

If you know more about it, then please post it here.