Known as "the art of eight limbs," the combat sport of Muaythai joined the FISU events programme in 2015 with the Muaythai University World Cup. The first World University Muaythai Championship took place in Pattaya, Thailand from 23-31 July 2018. In 2022, Muaythai was part of the FISU University World Cup Combat Sports in Samsun (TUR). Combat Sports (with Muaythai as a discipline) now return to a FISU World University Championship format.

History of Muaythai in FISU

Muaythai is a full-contact combat sport. Known as 'the art of eight limbs', Muaythai is characterised by the combined use of fists, elbows, knees and shins to strike an opponent.

Muaythai first joined forces with FISU in 2015 for the Muaythai University World Cup. Athletes from 43 countries representing all five continents took part. Since then, Muaythai’s standing in sport has grown. In 2016, the International Federation of Muaythai Associations, the sport’s governing body, was officially recognised. Muaythai joined the FISU World University Championships for the first time in 2018.

Practitioners of Muaythai say it isn’t just a sport; rather, it’s a culture or a way of life. Now Muaythai and the five pillars guiding the sport – honour, respect, fair play, tradition, and excellence – continue to grow on university campuses.