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Will Muay Thai be in the Olympics?

Author

Noah Mitchell

Published Jan 12, 2026

The IOC board met, ahead of this year's Tokyo Olympics 2021, at Okura Hotal in Tokyo, held by Internationl Olympic Committee (IOC) President, Thomas Bach. It was confirmed during a meeting that the sport of Muay Thai was approved for full Olympic recognition and would become an official Olympic sport.

Is Muay Thai going to be in the Olympics?

After 30 arduous years of trying to clinch the listing, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) finally certified Muay Thai as an Olympic sport and granted the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) permanent membership of the committee on July 20 at the 138th IOC session in Tokyo which is hosting ...

Will Muay Thai be in 2024 Olympics?

– International Federation of Muaythai Associations. In a historic Olympic Games host city announcement in Lima at the IOC session, President Bach hailed the “extraordinary” decision to award the 2024 and 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games to Paris and Los Angeles.

Why is Thai boxing not in the Olympics?

If Muay Thai does get full recognition, it does not guarantee the sport in the next Olympic Games. To be in the Summer Games, there needs to be a minimum of 50 affiliated national federations. For the Winter Games, 25. These national federations need to span at least three continents.

Why is kickboxing not an Olympic sport?

The IOC will never accept Kickboxing as an Olympic sport, as long as most public opinion characterizes it as a violent sport. Violence and aggression are the exact opposite of Olympic values, so they can't accept a sport that the public sees as violent.

21 related questions found

What is the difference between kickboxing and Muay Thai?

The first and most obvious difference that you probably will notice between kickboxing and Muay Thai is that Muay Thai is an eight-point striking system that involves striking with elbows and knees as well as kicks and punches whereas kickboxing on the other hand is a four-point striking system that teaches only ...

Will MMA become an Olympic sport?

However, despite it's increase in popularity, the sport of mixed martial arts has yet to be declared an official sport of the prestigious Olympic Games. And, while MMA may be moving closer to reaching this historical hallmark, it's yet to happen.

How many combat sports are in the Olympics?

There are 6 martial arts at the Olympics. Boxing, fencing, judo, karate, taekwondo, and wrestling will all take place at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, to be held in 2021.

Will Muay Thai be in the Olympics in 2021?

The IOC board met, ahead of this year's Tokyo Olympics 2021, at Okura Hotal in Tokyo, held by Internationl Olympic Committee (IOC) President, Thomas Bach. During the meeting, it was confirmed the sport of Muay Thai was approved for full Olympic recognition and would become and official Olympic sport.

Is kickboxing a sport?

Kickboxing is one of the most popular combat sports around the world. Kickboxing derives its name from classic boxing as it incorporates punching and other striking techniques. There are different styles of kickboxing including Dutch-style, Karate, Sanda, Kun Khmer and Muay Thai.

Who is kickboxing world champion?

India's Tajamul Islam Wins Gold Medal In World Kickboxing Championship. 13-year-old Tajamul Islam is the first Kashmiri girl to have represented India and won the gold medal in the under-14 age category in World Kickboxing Championship held at Cairo in Egypt. Islam defeated Argentina's Lalina in the final.

Will kickboxing be in the 2024 Olympics?

Opportunities to win medals in the 2024 Paris Olympics opened up for Team Philippines after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board granted full recognition to four sports where Filipino athletes have been thriving lately.

When was Muay Thai added to the Olympics?

After being awarded provisional recognition back in 2016, IFMA and the sport of Muaythai were granted permission to be brought to the 138th International Olympic Committee General Assembly for full Olympic consideration.

How many martial arts will be in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics?

Very important for the Japanese, there will be three martial arts during the 2020 Olympic Games taking place in Tokyo. Spectators will be able to follow the judo, karate and taekwondo events at different venues throughout the Japanese capital.

Why is kung fu not an Olympic sport?

"Chinese wushu involves so many forms and styles of fighting and has so many different schools. This makes it difficult for wushu to make an unified impression to international audiences," says Chan, explaining why wushu has not been recognized as an Olympic sport yet.

Does the Olympics have martial arts?

Currently, the modern Olympics has 6 martial arts forms, they are Boxing, Fencing, Judo, Karate, Taekwondo, Wrestling.

Is Ultimate fighting an Olympic sport?

However, this is also one reason that MMA is not a part of the Olympics. When back in 2018, the IMMAF had applied for membership to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the Global Association of International Sports Federation (GAISF) they denied it saying that MMA was too violent.

Is Jiu Jitsu in the Olympics?

History was made today as the International Olympic Committee announced the inclusion of jiu-jitsu in the 2024 Olympics.

Is K1 a Muay Thai?

No, the best way to describe K1 is it has the best moves and rules taken from both full-contact kickboxing and Muay Thai to develop a more hybrid of the fight. In Muay Thai you can keep your opponent in a constant clinch but in K1 you can only clinch while you throw a strike like a knee, then you must release.

Is Muay Thai effective in a street fight?

Muay Thai works in a street fight because it teaches you how to clinch and throw opponents. The clinch is a close-quarter grappling technique that is essential for Muay Thai. Clinching is a way to control your opponent from a close distance and do damage by throwing knees to the head or body, for example.

Is Muay Thai better than taekwondo?

Both are good in their own way, but there are always people who prefer one over the other. Muay Thai is more effective in a self-defense scenario as Taekwondo requires distance to be effective. Muay Thai has devastating techniques for close and far ranges.

Who is the richest kickboxer?

When it comes to active Kickboxers, one of the wealthiest Kickboxers in the world is Badr Hari, even though he's not a champion anymore. His reputation and resume speak for themselves, which is why he gets way more on a fight-to-fight basis than some world champions do.