The world’s biggest Muaythai Championship has begun!!!

Team USA left the Fairtex Camp on Monday and before checking in the Alexander hotel in Bangkok we all went to the temple where a Buddhist monk blessed us. We did the medical and weight in that night after we sat in the sauna for a while trying to cut some last minute pounds. The rule is that we have to be at the weight every day we are scheduled to fight so every evening or morning people are running, skipping rope or training in their sweat suits on the terrace, in the hotel hallway or the stairway. The hotel seems nicer than it actually is and everything is overpriced in the honor of the event. The meals are buffet style but I skipped many due to weight maintenance. I still enjoyed the pineapple for it was one thing that I found impossible to resist.

The opening ceremony took place on Tuesday, nov. 27th at the Fashion Island Mall in Bangkok. The venue was located about 20-30 min. drive from the Alexander hotel. That morning Team USA got together to receive the uniforms and the mongkorns. The Mongkon is the traditional head band which is always worn by Muay Thai fighters. The Mongkon, or Muay Thai Head Ring, is a sacred object which the Master has ceremoniously blessed for the fighter. It is supposed to bring good luck to the fighter. Ancient warriors and fighters used to wear the Mongkons before any bout of combat because they believed it would bring them good luck and help them win the fight. This is a very old tradition. I have received mine from Nong Toom. That day only the A class male fights were scheduled to take place after the opening ceremony. Joe was going to fight the main event against a guy from Portugal. We also had another A class fighter competing that night.

We arrived at Fashion Island Mall around 1pm. The place was full of excited people with high hopes. The teams dressed in their country uniforms were making their way towards the top floor reserved for the event. I felt like I was in a movie. When I was a child I used to watch the Olympic games on TV and I was finally experiencing something pretty close to it. Teams from USA, Brazil, Canada, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, England, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Kazakstan and more, filled the place. There were over 1,200 athletes, coaches and representatives of 100 countries.

After the teams paraded the music and dance show started followed by muay boran demonstrations (muay boran is the ancient form of muay thai). The day was getting long and we were getting tired and hungry. From that point on, every day turned out to be long and draining. But the first day ended with Joe’s victory over a very experienced fighter from Portugal so I was happy and grateful although exhausted and a bit nervous about my fight which was not scheduled at that time. The anticipation was consuming me and I was making efforts to stay focused and be patient.