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The World Muaythai Council (WMC) is one of the oldest professional sanctioning organizations of Muaythai in the world for the sport. The organization was set up in 1995 by parliament resolution, and is incorporated by the Royal Thai Government and sanctioned by the Sports Authority of Thailand, under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. The council has been charged with the responsibility for the expansion of Muaythai worldwide. This involves supporting youth interest and athletes to learn the skills of Muaythai.[1][2]
 | |
| Abbreviation | WMC |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1995 |
| Headquarters | Bangkok |
| Location | |
Region served | Worldwide |
Membership | National associations |
President | General Chetta Thanajaro |
General Secretary | Dr Sakchye Tapsuwan |
Vice President | Stephan Fox |
Sport Director | Andrew Scott |
| Website | Official website |
History
editSet up by parliament resolution, the WMC is incorporated by the Royal Thai Government and sanctioned by the Sports Authority of Thailand, working together with the highest sport authorities of all member countries around the world to regulate all aspects of the art and sport of Muaythai. The inauguration meeting was held in 1995 at an appropriate venue, the United Nation Conference Centre with representatives from 39 countries attended. Presently there are 120 member countries registered with the WMC. The executive board and various committees ranging from technical and rules, refereeing and judging, medical, finance, youth, women, press and public relations, business and legal; all were democratically elected.[citation needed]
In 1996 an MOU was signed between the World Muaythai Council, the Amateur Muaythai Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage and the International Federation of Muaythai Amateur (IFMA) outlining that the 3 organizations will work closely together and support IFMA in getting muaythai into multi-sport events recognized by the IOC as well as GAISF recognition.[citation needed]
General Chetta the president of WMC at the time was Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Army, later serving as Defence Minister and also the President of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand.[citation needed]
In 1997 a joint effort began between WMC, IFMA and the National Olympic Committee of Thailand to get muaythai recognized by the Olympic Council of Asia. As a result of this muaythai was included in the Asian Games as a demonstration sport then in 1999 the Olympic Council of Asia officially recognized muaythai under IFMA as an official sport.[citation needed]
In 1998 muaythai began the process to become an official recognized sport and to be included into GAISF. In the year 2000 a world meeting took place with WMC, IFMA, the National Olympic Committee of Thailand and Sports Authority of Thailand in which 106 countries participated to vote on the idea of applying for GAISF membership. With a vote of 102 against 4 the world muaythai community decided to apply under the word ‘muaythai’ as the official name of the sport to meet Olympic requirements. Also at this meeting a resolution was reached that IFMA will hold 2 thirds of all executive positions in the WMC worldwide with WMC Thailand keeping their autonomy.[citation needed]
The cooperation continued with annual events held in Thailand to celebrate the Kings, Queens and Prince's birthdays. In 2006, muaythai under IFMA was recognized by GAISF. In 2012 the WMC, IFMA and the Olympic Committee of Thailand started a campaign, muaythai towards highest recognition, applying for recognition to the International Olympic Committee and inclusion in the World Games. In 2014 muaythai got recognized by The World Games then in 2016 the IOC gave provisional recognition to IFMA.[3]
In the year 2019 after muaythai got recognized by the International Olympic Committee, the World Muaythai Council merged with IFMA to represent the professional sector which was witnessed by representatives of over 100 countries, the IOC and the Sports Authority of Thailand to ensure full cooperation with WADA and ITA to protect the clean athletes.[citation needed]
In 2023 Stefan Fox was arrested for slanderous comments made towards WBC MuayThai
Royal patronage
editOn August 20, 2014, Muaythai and the World Muaythai Council received official Royal Patronage from His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.[citation needed] All government departments, sport and culture ministries, sport authorities, and all major Muaythai stadiums and promoters were invited to the historic event.[citation needed] PDG. General Saiyud Kerdphol, General Wimon Wongwanich the former President of WMC, General Chetta Thanajaro the current President of WMC, Dr Sakchye Tapsuwan IFMA President and WMC General Secretary, Khun Kajorn Prowsree Vice President of the Amateur Muaythai Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Stephan Fox Vice President of WMC and General Secretary of the IFMA, and other notable VIPs were also in attendance.[citation needed] Over 20 representatives from the different embassies in Bangkok also came to witness the ceremony, along with representatives from the United Nations, among many other organizations.[citation needed] Along with Royal Patronage, the WMC logo was changed to include the Royal Insignia of His Majesty.[citation needed][4]
Current champions
editMen's divisions
edit| Rank | Mini flyweight | Flyweight | Bantamweight | Super bantamweight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
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| 2 | ||||
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| Rank | Featherweight | Super featherweight | Lightweight | Super lightweight |
| C | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| 1 | ||||
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| 5 | ||||
| 6 | ||||
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| Rank | Welterweight | Super welterweight | Middleweight | Super middleweight |
| C | ||||
| 1 | ||||
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| 5 | ||||
| 6 | ||||
| 7 | ||||
| 8 | ||||
| 9 | ||||
| 10 | ||||
| Rank | Light heavyweight | Cruiserweight | Heavyweight | Super heavyweight |
| C | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 1 | ||||
| 2 | ||||
| 3 | ||||
| 4 | ||||
| 5 | ||||
| 6 | ||||
| 7 | ||||
| 8 | ||||
| 9 | ||||
| 10 |
Male intercontinental champions
edit| Weight Class | Champion | Date Won |
|---|---|---|
| Super Heavyweight | Vacant | – |
| Heavyweight | Vacant | – |
| Cruiserweight | Vacant | – |
| Super Light Heavyweight | April 29, 2017 | |
| Light Heavyweight | July 21, 2019 | |
| Super Middleweight | June 16, 2018 | |
| Middleweight | August 7, 2021 | |
| Super Welterweight | December 22, 2018 | |
| Welterweight | December 22, 2018 | |
| Super Lightweight | January 26, 2019 | |
| Lightweight | May 16, 2007 | |
| Super Featherweight | August 20, 2010 | |
| Featherweight | Vacant | – |
| Super Bantamweight | Vacant | – |
| Bantamweight | Vacant | – |
| Super Flyweight | Vacant | – |
| Flyweight | Vacant | – |
| Light Flyweight | Vacant | – |
| Mini Flyweight | Vacant | – |
| Pinweight | Vacant | – |
Male european champions
edit| Weight Class | Champion | Date Won |
|---|---|---|
| Super Heavyweight | November 25, 2016 | |
| Heavyweight | Vacant | – |
| Cruiserweight | November 24, 2018 | |
| Super Light Heavyweight | Vacant | – |
| Light Heavyweight | Vacant | – |
| Super Middleweight | June 16, 2018 | |
| Middleweight | March 7, 2020 | |
| Super Welterweight | December 22, 2018 | |
| Welterweight | April 13, 2019 | |
| Super Lightweight | May 18, 2017 | |
| Lightweight | March 9, 2017 | |
| Super Featherweight | April 26, 2018 | |
| Featherweight | Vacant | – |
| Super Bantamweight | October 3, 2022 | |
| Bantamweight | Vacant | – |
| Super Flyweight | – |
Women's divisions
edit| Rank | Pinweight | Mini flyweight | Flyweight |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | N/A | N/A | |
| 1 | |||
| 2 | |||
| 3 | |||
| 4 | |||
| 5 | |||
| 6 | |||
| 7 | |||
| 8 | |||
| 9 | |||
| 10 | |||
| Rank | Bantamweight | Featherweight | Lightweight |
| C | N/A | ||
| 1 | |||
| 2 | |||
| 3 | |||
| 4 | |||
| 5 | |||
| 6 | |||
| 7 | |||
| 8 | |||
| 9 | |||
| 10 | |||
| Rank | Lightweight | Welterweight | Middleweight |
| C | N/A | N/A | |
| 1 | |||
| 2 | |||
| 3 | |||
| 4 | |||
| 5 | |||
| 6 | |||
| 7 | |||
| 8 | |||
| 9 | |||
| 10 |
Female intercontinental champions
edit| Weight Class | Champion | Date Won |
|---|---|---|
| Super Middleweight | Vacant | – |
| Middleweight | Vacant | – |
| Super Welterweight | Vacant | – |
| Welterweight | Vacant | – |
| Super Lightweight | Vacant | – |
| Lightweight | Vacant | – |
| Super Featherweight | Vacant | – |
| Featherweight | November 4, 2017 | |
| Super Bantamweight | July 16, 2016 | |
| Bantamweight | February 7, 2019 | |
| Super Flyweight | February 3, 2018 | |
| Flyweight | Vacant | |
| Light Flyweight | Vacant | – |
| Mini Flyweight | Vacant | – |
| Pinweight | Vacant | – |
Female european champions
edit| Weight Class | Champion | Date Won |
|---|---|---|
| Super Middleweight | Vacant | – |
| Middleweight | Vacant | – |
| Super Welterweight | Vacant | – |
| Welterweight | Vacant | – |
| Super Lightweight | Vacant | – |
| Lightweight | ||
| Super Featherweight | Vacant | – |
| Featherweight | Vacant | – |
| Super Bantamweight | Vacant | – |
| Bantamweight | February 3, 2018 | |
| Super Flyweight | Vacant | – |
| Flyweight | September 2, 2018 | |
| Light Flyweight | Vacant | – |
| Mini Flyweight | November 24, 2018 | |
| Pinweight | Vacant | – |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Green, Thomas A. (2010). Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation. ABC-CLIO. p. 323. ISBN 978-1-59884-243-2. Retrieved 2013-04-11.
- ^ "World Muaythai Council". Wmcmuaythai.org. Retrieved 2015-07-29.
- ^ "Muaythai Receives IOC Recognition". International Federation of Muaythai Associations.
- ^ "SportAccord News". Sportaccord.com. Retrieved 2015-07-29.