Have you noticed the recent gain in popularity that Muay Thai has had around the world? Have you wondered why, or how this came to be?
Well, the answer is: WBC Muay Thai.
That’s because at their core, their mission is to showcase the culture and spirit of Muay Thai to the world.
We met with the head of WBC MuayThai, President Major General Thanapol Bhakdibhumi, to learn more. He shared about the growth of the organization through his father and himself. He also shares what keeps the organization’s heartbeat strong.
The Start of WBC MuayThai
The story of WBC Muay Thai began in 2001.
A historic meeting was held between his majesty [the late] King, Dr. Jose Sulaiman, and Police General Kovid Bhakdibhumi. Inspiration from that meeting, led to the event in 2004 at the WBC Convention, where all members voted in agreement to establish WBC MuayThai.
The Pioneer: Police General Kovid Bhakdibhumi
Police General Kovid Bhakdibhumi is the Lifetime President of WBC MuayThai. He was the pioneer who grew MuayThai to be the global sport that it is today.
Early Years
In his earlier days, he was involved in many sports. Aside from MuayThai, he also enjoyed boxing, badminton, football, and other sports. That changed when he met Dr. Jose Sulaiman.
“After he met Dr. Jose Sulaiman, his interest has been boxing,” Bhakdibhumi said about his father. In fact, their shared passion for boxing was so strong that they became best friends.
“I see that the chemistry between Dr. Jose [Sulaiman] and my father is very aligned,” Bhakdibhumi said.
From Boxing to MuayThai
It was not a big shift for Pol. Gen. Kovid Bhakdibhumi to pivot his focus from boxing to Muay Thai. Like many fighters, the transition to or from boxing and Muay Thai is common.
“I think the sport is very similar,” Bhakdibhumi said. “We still do both boxing in Muay Thai, in Thailand, and around the world. And you know, [of the] WBC boxing champions, almost 100 of them came from Muay Thai.”
Pol. Gen. Kovid Bhakdibhumi dedicated himself to promoting Muay Thai after that historic meeting with the King.
Passing the Torch to Major General Thanapol Bhakdibhumi
About 5-6 years ago, Major General Thanapol Bhakdibhumi stepped up for his father.
“My father was not physically well enough to work every day,” Bhakdibhumi said. “So, I became a full operator, and tried [implementing] new things.” When Bhakdibhumi started at the organization, there were only around 30 country members.
“Today it’s almost 100 countries”, Bhakdibhumi said. While the numbers are impressive, there’s something else that Bhakdibhumi is most proud. It is special to him how each member is fully devoted to MuayThai.
“I feel very grateful that, now, not only Thai people, but people all around the world love Muay Thai,” he said. Through time and change, there was always one mission that was the fire that kept the torch burning.
“Always remember that we are nonprofit organization. So everything we do, we do as a common interest, Not aimed to [be] a business [for] profit.” Bhakdibhumi said. “We devote ourselves to the sport of Muay Thai, and to promote from [being a] national sport to the global sport.”
WBC Muay Thai’s Impact
In and Out of the Ring
WBC Muay Thai has been booming with events. Last year alone there were 250 WBC Muay Thai activities around the world, and in every continent!
“A good thing is that we not have don’t have only activities in the rings,” Bhakdibhumi said. “We have also activity outside the ring like the WBC Muay Thai Youth Care Program. The organization has been putting a massive focus on the youth of MuayThai.
“It’s the idea that we should promote Youth Tournaments or give opportunities to new generation… from the beginning,” Bhakdibhumi said. Thai children often begin training Muay Thai around age 6-7.
So he asked: “How about the other countries?” With the right safeguards in place, they push to foster the next generation of fighters.
WBC MuayThai Youth World Tournament
In the summer of 2022, the organization held the first WBC Muay Thai Youth World Tournament. It was a massive success.
“Almost 100 athletes from 23 countries around the world come to join that event in Calgary, Canada. It was phenomenal,” Bhakdibhumi said.
Then, the following year, they hosted the event in Venice. It was a 3-4 day event, with a turnout of around 2,000 people between athletes, coaches, and supporters!
“If you have a chance to join that event, you can feel that passion and inspire people,” Bhakdibhumi said. “That’s what inspires and encourages us to continue to do what we do.”
Global Impact
Thanks to WBC Muay Thai’s mission of growing Muay Thai, the sport has become an interest to many around the world. “Now, I think most of people accept that this is the the best martial art in the world,” Bhakdibhumi said.
“It’s not only sport—it has culture in it, and it builds a mentality. When we introduce it to the youth, the parents can feel that Muay Thai is not just sport. It helps guide their children to be strong from both inside their minds and also physically.”
Moving Forward
This year, they celebrate 20 years of growth and success. Bhakdibhumi shared his fundamental thoughts on MuayThai:
“Please realize that Muay Thai does not belong to anyone, but it is a people’s sport. Everyone belongs to it, and it belongs to everyone.” This is the idea that helps keep MuayThai growing, and growing strong.
Words by Matt Lucas