1. Show us an activity you enjoy doing…
„Muay Thai – the art of eight limbs”
by Felix Kremer - Applicant Global Master in Finance Program
มวยไทย

2. มวยไทย
• Muay Thai (in thai มวยไทย) or Thai-Boxing is a martial art also known as „the art of eight
limbs”, because fighters are allowed to use their:
fists, elbows, shins & knees.
 The modern Muay Thai is based on fighting technics which have been used in south-east
Asia for centuries and is today known as one of the toughest full-contact sports in the world.
 In Thailand the sport attracts more followers than football or any other sport. Typically the
fights are held in dedicated stadiums, like for example in the famous Lumpinee Boxing
Stadium in Bangkok which opens three times a week and seats up to 8.000 spectators.
Muay Thai is the most popular sport
in Thailand
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3. มวยไทยMuay Thai training is well rounded
• Muay Thai Training is aimed to improve the fighters abilities in terms of:
endurance, strength, technique & flexibility.
 Muay Thai is practiced in groups with matching proficiency or in form of individual training
(1-on-1 with the trainer).
 Through the direct supervision of the coach, 1-on-1 training is in general more effective than
group training. Technical skills can be developed faster, training can be tailored to individual
needs and boxing pad work* is possible. However sparring can not be trained due to lack of
training partners.
 Sparring exercises are part of group practices form the very beginning, to teach the fighters
not only attacking but also defending. With increasing skill levels sparring gains importance
and intensity especially if the athletes are preparing for fights.
| 3*Example of pad work is shown in picture on ”technique”

4. มวยไทย
• Why I started – After years of occasional practice of different
sports, I felt ready for a new impulse and challenge.
Fascination for martial arts and curiosity led me to Muay Thai.
My intension was much more to learn something new and to
challenge myself than to learn how to defend myself or start in
amateur competitions.
• Where I practice – Via Facebook I found ‚Academia Gorila’ a
gym offering various martial arts in a very pleasant and
vibrant atmosphere. In addition the gym is located not far
from the bank which proved to be very time efficient.
• How I started – My first training was rough… in a 1-to-1
training my coach tested my will and showed me my limits
from the very beginning. Ever since I have been training about
2-3 times a week in form of group or individual trainings.
• How I train now – The formula which proved to be most
efficient is to me is to practice twice a week for one hour in a
1-to-1 setting before I go to work. This way I can ensure
frequent work-outs regardless of the turbulences that life in
the office or at home might bring. Resigning from group
training / sparring also reduced the risk of injuries or going to
work with a „black eye” or other physical evidence of my
hobby ;-).
My way to Muay Thai…
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5. มวยไทย
• Overcoming fear and inertia – Every training comprises a certain amount of physical
pain and my instincts tell me to avoid fighting situations. Overruling these instincts does
not only free up a lot of energy, but also boosts self-confidence. At work this prevents me
from getting to comfortable by avoiding unpleasant topics or conflicts out of convenience.
(Please let me highlight, that this does not imply any type of aggressive behavior in
conflicts – neither verbal nor physical)
• Life outside the ivory tower – Being a foreigner in Poland is not always easy, the
language barrier and living routines let to the situation that my contact to people outside
my socio-economic milieu was very limited. I benefit from the fact that people from all
parts of society train Muay Thai because through the conversations at the gym, I get a
better understanding of society that surrounds me.
Being outside my comfort-zone
• Staying fit - The sport helps me to maintain
a physical balance which has positive effects
for all aspects of life (if I am a balanced,
healthy person I also perform better at
work).
• Staying sharp - Muay Thai training is also
mentally demanding as I need to stay
focused on techniques, coach or training
partner during the whole training (otherwise
I might hurt myself or someone else). I feel
like this helps me also to stay focused in
long meetings at work.
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