Known as “the art of eight limbs,” the combat sport of Muaythai joined the FISU events programme in 2015. The first World University Championship took place in Pattaya, Thailand, in 2018. In 2022, Muaythai was part of the FISU University World Cup Combat Sports in Samsun, Türkiye, which will return to a FISU World University Championship format in 2024.
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FISU TECHNICAL COMMITTEE CHAIR
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.