World Muaythai Council

World Muaythai Council
Abbreviation WMC
Formation 1995
Headquarters Bangkok
Location
Region served
Worldwide
Membership
National associations
President
General Chjetta Thanajaro
General Secretary
Dr Sakchye Tapsuwan
Vice President
Stephan Fox
Sport Director
Charissa Tynan
Website Official website

The World Muaythai Council (WMC) is the sole recognized professional sport governing body for the art and spirit of Muaythai, both in Thailand and around the world and is one of the oldest and the largest 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 (Thailand). 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 and to assist in the pursuit of excellence in the art. The Council’s primary objective is to maintain and promote excellence in the art of Muaythai. This is predominantly as a cultural art-form, in addition as a form of self-defence and a popular ring-sport. Together with the above stated aims, the WMC has the government’s directive to regulate all Muaythai competitions worldwide, this in accordance with the government-approved Articles of Association. [1][2]

Royal Patronage

On August 20, 2014, Muaythai and the World Muaythai Council received official Royal Patronage from His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. All government departments, sport and culture ministries, sport authorities, and all major Muaythai stadiums and promoters were invited to the historic event. 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 so many other notable VIPs were also in attendance. Over 20 representatives from the different embassies in Bangkok also came to witness the ceremony, along with representatives from the United Nations, and many other organizations. Along with Royal Patronage, the WMC logo was changed to include the Royal Insignia of His Majesty.[3]

History

Set 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.[2]

TV Coverage

The World Muaythai Council has also been involved in many TV programs in cooperation with IOM, DreamWorks and television producer Mark Burnett. These collaborations have seen the release of shows such as the Contender Asia as well as the Emmy-nominated reality show, ‘The Challenger Muay Thai,’ in which the WMC was the sanctioning body.[4][5][6]

Current champions

Male world champions

Weight ClassChampionDate Won
Super HeavyweightPoland Paul Slowinski June 14, 2014
HeavyweightRussia Artem Vakhitov June 14, 2014
CruiserweightVacant
Super Light HeavyweightVacant
Light HeavyweightBelarus Dmitry Valent December 13, 2013
Super MiddleweightSweden Alex Tobiasson Harris June 14, 2014
MiddleweightThailand Berneung TopKingBoxing June 14, 2014
Super WelterweightThailand Buakaw Banchamek June 14, 2014
WelterweightFrance Raphael Bohic April 28, 2013
Super LightweightThailand Ekkarit Mor.Krungthepthonburee June 14, 2014
LightweightThailand Pakorn Sakyothin June 14, 2014
Super FeatherweightVacant
FeatherweightVacant
Super BantamweightJapan Takadai March 30, 2014
BantamweightVacant
Super FlyweightVacant
FlyweightJapan Takashi Senchaijimu June 8, 2014
Light FlyweightVacant
Mini FlyweightVacant

Male european champions

Weight ClassChampionDate Won
Super HeavyweightVacant
HeavyweightVacant
CruiserweightVacant
Super Light HeavyweightVacant
Light HeavyweightVacant
Super MiddleweightFrance Aziz Ali Kada September 21, 2013
MiddleweightFrance Micael Longin November 30, 2013
Super WelterweightVacant
WelterweightFrance Morgan Adrar April 5, 2014
Super LightweightVacant
LightweightVacant
Super FeatherweightVacant
FeatherweightVacant
Super BantamweightVacant
BantamweightVacant
Super FlyweightVacant
FlyweightVacant
Light FlyweightVacant
Mini FlyweightVacant

Female world champions

Weight ClassChampionDate Won
Super MiddleweightVacant
Middleweight New Zealand Tracy Lockwood August 12, 2013
Super WelterweightEngland Geraldine O’Callaghan August 12, 2012
WelterweightVacant
Super LightweightPeru Valentina Shevchenko April 28, 2012
LightweightLuxembourg Claire Haigh August 12, 2012
Super FeatherweightUnited States Justine Kish November 30, 2012
FeatherweightAustralia Caley Reece June 25, 2011
Super BantamweightVacant
BantamweightFrance Lizzie Largilliere August 4, 2015
Super FlyweightVacant
FlyweightVacant
Light FlyweightJapan Rika Matsumoto June 8, 2014
Mini FlyweightVacant
PinweightJapan Miyauchi Ayka March 30, 2014

Female european champions

Weight ClassChampionDate Won
Super MiddleweightVacant
MiddleweightVacant
Super WelterweightVacant
WelterweightVacant
Super LightweightVacant
LightweightFrance Jennifer Colomb November 30, 2013
Super FeatherweightVacant
FeatherweightVacant
Super BantamweightVacant
BantamweightVacant
Super FlyweightVacant
FlyweightItaly Barbara Bontempi May 30, 2015
Light FlyweightVacant
Mini FlyweightVacant
PinweightVacant

References

  1. 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.
  2. 1 2 "World Muaythai Council". Wmcmuaythai.org. Retrieved 2015-07-29.
  3. "SportAccord News". Sportaccord.com. Retrieved 2015-07-29.
  4. "The Challenger Muaythai". Axn-asia.com. Retrieved 2015-07-29.
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