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Muay Thasao

What is Muay Thasao?

Muay Thasao is a traditional style of Muay Boran, the ancient martial art that predates modern Muay Thai. Originating from the Thasao district in Uttaradit province in northern Thailand, Muay Thasao is also known as the "Monkey Style" due to its agile and acrobatic techniques. This style is characterized by its emphasis on speed, agility, and evasive maneuvers.

Key features of Muay Thasao include:

  1. Agility and Speed: Muay Thasao practitioners focus on quick and agile movements, allowing them to evade attacks and create opportunities for counter-strikes. Speed is a critical component of this style.
  2. Evasive Techniques: The style includes a variety of evasive maneuvers, such as dodging, ducking, and sidestepping, to avoid incoming strikes. This helps fighters stay out of harm's way while positioning themselves for counter-attacks.
  3. Acrobatic Moves: Muay Thasao is known for its acrobatic techniques, which can include jumping strikes, flying knees, and other dynamic movements. These moves add an element of unpredictability and can catch opponents off guard.
  4. Unorthodox Angles: Practitioners often attack from unusual angles, making it difficult for opponents to anticipate and defend against strikes. This can include spinning attacks and other unconventional techniques.
  5. Combination Attacks: While agility and evasion are key, Muay Thasao also incorporates a full range of strikes, including punches, kicks, elbows, and knees. Fighters use combinations to maximize their offensive capabilities.
  6. Training Methods: Training in Muay Thasao involves drills to develop speed, agility, and acrobatic skills. This can include shadowboxing, pad work, heavy bag training, and sparring, with a focus on fluid and dynamic movement.
  7. Defensive Skills: Defense is a crucial aspect of Muay Thasao. Fighters learn to block, parry, and evade strikes effectively, using their agility to minimize damage and create counter-attacking opportunities.

Muay Thasao is valued for its unique and dynamic approach to combat. It showcases the diversity and creativity within the broader spectrum of Muay Boran styles, highlighting the rich cultural heritage of traditional Thai martial arts.

Related Article: Legacy of Muay Boran: History, Styles, and Differences from Modern Muay Thai

Walk a single path, become neither cocky with victory nor broken with defeat.
Kano Jigoro

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