Eight women, including a Spanish woman, were chosen to overturn the veto on women’s matches that the stadium has maintained for 77 years. Rajadamnernrevered as a Muay Thai temple.
This Friday, for the first time in the history of this legendary sports venue in Bangkokthe Thais Aida Looksaikongdin and Sit Chor, the Iranian Zahra and the Argentine Milagros Andrea López will break the taboo by entering the ring to fight.
“Opening the door to a place where you thought you would never compete is something historic. We are opening the way to a new era in this sport,” the Spanish woman assured Efe with an emotional tone. Desiree Rovira, who will debut on the 12th at this venue against local Somratsame.
The Thai Petchnamnung and the Turkish Zehra Dogan will also fight that day, completing the new RWS championship where the fighters -divided into two groups- will fight at least three times, while the first two according with the score of each group will go to the semifinals.
Since its establishment, in 1945, the Rajadamnern ring, the dean of Thai boxing stadiums, has been forbidden to women, who due to various superstitions were not allowed to touch the canvas to, among other things belief, will not disturb the spirits guarding the ring.
An animist mentality that has been gradually changed over the years and the professionalization of this sport, where women make their way against conservative thoughts with fists, kicks, elbows and knees – the punches which is allowed in this contact sport.
The Spaniard, 35 years old and native Cádizacknowledges that these are “traditions that must be respected in his country and his national sport” and he thinks that “he will not fight where the greatest Muay Thai did”, when accompanying other fighters in the stadium.
“The woman is taking a more important space” in Muay Thai, points out the boxer, who trains in the gym 7 Muay Thai from Rayong province and sponsored by Spanish Muay Thai clothing brand Hualaan.
The eight contenders, who are eligible for a prize of 1 million baht (28,050 dollars or 27,410 euros) if they win the championship, participated on July 9 in a ceremony, with candles, incense and flower offerings, to wish to the god to protect the ring that allows the fight between women.
SOCIAL EVOLUTION AND INTERNATIONALIZATION OF MUAY THAI
The international popularity of Muay Thai is increasing; and while in other countries women can fight without restrictions, in Thailand the opening process is slower.
“Society has changed, so has the role of women. Women are capable in all sectors, as well as in sports and boxing. We do not challenge (beliefs), but we develop according to the context of today’s society”, points out to Efe Tienchai Pisitwuthinant, the director of the advocacy group Global Sports Ventures.
While other small-name stadiums have allowed women’s matches for years, the legendary Rajadamnern fought to make the change.
Another of the most emblematic venues, such as the Lumpini stadium, also in Bangkok, has held women’s combat evenings since last year.
The global expansion of Muay Thai, the changes caused by the covid-19 pandemic and the apparent efforts of female fighters have allowed the organizers and promoters of this sport to recognize the ongoing work of women , which sometimes even featured the main battle of the nights.
Despite being allowed to enter the ring and compete, other controversial traditions still persist, such as requiring women to enter the ring at ground level, rather than jumping over the top ropes as is customary of men.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
