By Kevin Noone
There are moments in life when the magnitude of something hits you not in the planning, not in the buildup—but in the experience itself. That’s exactly what happened in Verona. The 2025 Amazing MuayThai World Festival was a celebration of our sport on a scale we could never have imagined. What took place over one extraordinary week will be remembered by everyone who was part of it.
A Festival Years in the Making
When we arrived in Verona in the sweltering summer of 2023 we had no idea what to expect. Over a lunch near the famed Coliseum an idea between myself, Max Baggio and Giuliano Occhipinti (who we thank for his support and tremendous work) was hatched to host the Amazing MuayThai World Festival in the historical city and included in that idea was to somehow incorporate the usage of the cities 2,000 year old Gladiator Arena. Fast forward to June 2025 and with nine months of intense planning we were led to this point where the 2025 Amazing MuayThai World Festival would be staged in Verona from June 25-29.
As Secretary General of the WBC MuayThai and Director of Operations for the Amazing MuayThai World Festival, I had the honor of leading the planning, development, and execution of this landmark event. Over the course of nine months, working closely (almost daily) with Max Baggio, who served as Deputy Director of Operations and played an integral and invaluable role through his unwavering daily commitment for success. Once in Verona, we were joined by a remarkable global team whose shared dedication and collaborative spirit brought the festival to life.
Of course there are many people to mention and appreciate, but without the core back of house support from Nash Keshwala and Hadj Bettahar, I don’t believe the event would have been delivered so successfully without their loyalty, wise advise, and friendship.
What we experienced went far beyond expectations.
A Powerful Opening in a Historic Arena
It’s astonishing to witness how rapidly the Amazing MuayThai World Festival has grown—and Verona was living proof of that evolution. We opened the week with a ceremony in the 2,000-year-old Gladiator Arena in downtown Verona. It was magical with powerful live performances of the Italian and Thai anthems.
Over 2,700 people from 78 countries filled the ancient amphitheater, united by a shared love for MuayThai. That moment—the fusion of history and modern sport—set the tone for what would be an unforgettable week. Thailand’s Minister of Sports and Tourism opened the ceremony with a powerful speech on the importance of taking MuayThai to a global market.
It is important to understand that without the support of the Sports Authority of Thailand we could not host an event of this magnitude.
We received an impassioned speech from Thailand’s National Olympic Committee Chairman, Khun Pimol Srivikorn, who expressed his unwavering support for the global and domestic grassroots growth of MuayThai.
Registration Day – June 25
June 25th marked the official start of competition week. Just over 850 fighters from more than 65 countries registered at the AGSM Arena. The scale of the operation was monumental. The atmosphere was electric. This wasn’t just another tournament—this was the MuayThai world coming together.
Four Days, Six Rings, One Incredible Tournament
From June 26 to 29, the arena transformed into a global battleground.
Each day began at 7 a.m. with test scales. From 8 to 10 a.m., medicals and weigh-ins took place. These were high-pressure hours. Athletes stressed over weight, forms, and final clearances. But once they stepped into the ring, everything else disappeared.
949 fights took place across six rings over four days. The tournament was run in an elimination format—brutal, fast-paced, emotional. There were tears. There were cheers. And there was a whole lot of heart shown in the ropes of each ring.
When the Final Bell Rang
At just after 7:00 p.m. on June 29, the final bell rang.
We had completed 949 contests. We had crowned champions. And we had celebrated a week that captured the full spectrum of human emotion—fear, pride, joy, disappointment, resilience, and triumph.
Celebrating the Best
We awarded over 400 medals, including:
140 official gold medalists 160 gold medals total, counting exhibition divisions for under 10’s. For those who captured coveted WBC MuayThai World Championship Gold — congratulations on the phenomenal success. And to the silver and bronze medalists; you deserve and earned your recognition too.
Special honors were given to:
Team of the Tournament: England. Male Fighter of the Tournament: Scotland. Female Fighter of the Tournament: Netherlands. Young Female Fighter of the Tournament: England. Young Fighter of the Tournament: Australia.
More Than a Competition
The 2025 Amazing MuayThai World Festival wasn’t just about who won. It was about what we all created together: a true global family of fighters, trainers, fans, and officials. It was about the culture, the tradition, and the future of MuayThai.
Verona was special. It was powerful. And it was just the beginning. What I love about this is that we are part of something we all are building together, it’s not owned by one individual — it’s owned by all of us.
Picture all the journeys home this week. Holding your medal close to you thinking of how proud your loved ones would be. For those who didn’t medal. No worries. Next year is another opportunity to improve and come back for gold in the motherland.
A special mention of gratitude to the Ring officials, administrative teams, WBC MuayThai representatives, media, coaches, parents, and for me the MVP’s, the fighters — we are doing this for you to offer a platform to shine on the global stage. You are all truly appreciated.
See you in Bangkok for the 2026 Amazing MuayThai World Festival. We are more motivated than ever.
A special thank you and mention for WBC MuayThai President Major General Thanapol Bhakdibhumi who as the President of the WBC MuayThai stands shoulder to shoulder with all of us in his commitment to showcase our beautiful sport to the world.
And for WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman who at all times is the guiding light to everything we do. His wisdom is what drives us forward.
— Kevin Noone