The distinctive features of Muay Korat
Muay Korat is characterized by its wide kicks and punches, and it features a powerful technique called the “Mat Wiang Khwai (Throwing the Buffalo or Swing punch)” It is often praised with the saying, “The heavy punches of Korat, the cleverness of Lopburi, the graceful moves of Chaiya, and the speed of Tha Sao.” The distinctive feature of Muay Korat, setting it apart from other styles, is the way the hands are wrapped with raw thread, starting from the fists and extending almost to the elbows.
In close combat, punches are crucial, while the feet are used for kicking, pushing, and moving to evade attacks from a distance. The ritualistic dance, known as the Wai Kru, performed before every match, includes unique movements in Muay Korat such as the “Thakshinawat Walk” and the “Kop Phra Mae Thorani’ pose” The “Paying Homage” pose shares its name with a technique from Muay Lopburi, and the “Yangsamkhum’ pose” shares its name with a technique from Muay Chaiya, though the execution of these poses differs (Kulakan Photipanya, 2019).
The style and techniques of Muay Korat fighters involve the “Jod Muay” (a ready position for punching). They prefer a solid, full-body stance with slightly bent knees, facing their opponent directly. The body weight is placed on the front foot, with the heel of the back foot lifted. The movement of the leading foot and the punching hand should be synchronized. Fighters adopt a stance that involves stepping on the balls of their feet to deliver more powerful, swift, and higher kicks, known as the “Kho Khat kick” (a neck-breaking kick) a striking and formidable technique. Mastering the stance and footwork for moving forward and backward allows fighters to effectively use force transfer and combination techniques in combat. When confronted by an opponent, they can quickly change their Muay Korat techniques and movements (Kulakan Photipanya, 2019).
Defending against an opponent’s attack in traditional Muay Thai typically involves raising both hands and arms to block incoming strikes. However, Muay Korat incorporates additional techniques, such as lifting the hands and arms to block, pulling the opponent’s neck or shoulders into striking range, and using the arms to catch under the opponent’s legs to counter their kicks. These methods exploit the opponent’s unguarded moments to launch counterattacks. Ancient Muay Korat masters referred to this strategy as “reverse force”, a tactic that deceives the opponent into thinking they’ve made an error or are weakening. When the opponent attempts a follow-up attack, the “whip kick”, an ancient kicking technique, is employed. This involves striking the opponent with the foot and then quickly pressing down again forcefully with the toes for additional impact.
In the past, boxing matches were often held during funerals on temple grounds. Soldiers would beat a gong to announce the event and invite interested fighters, who would then participate as scheduled. Before the match, fighters were paired through an informal process that lacked strict rules, relying primarily on the mutual consent of the participants. As a result, there was no weighing in or measuring of size; if both fighters believed they were skilled enough and willing to compete, the referees would schedule the match. (Met Metkarunjit, 2018b)