Muay Thai earned one more stage for its practitioners to showcase their skills and battle it out for medals. “The Art of Eight Limbs” has been included in the 2020 Asian Beach Games. The event is held from November 28 to December 5 in Sanya, China with over 5,000 athletes expected to participate.

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“Many important decisions have been made at the Olympic Council of Asia General Assemble last weekend in Bangkok. One was in favour of Muay Thai to be included on the official sport programme of the Asian Beach Games 2020 in Sanya, China,” International Federation of Muaythai Amateur reported.

“Sanya is the southernmost city on Hainan Island and is nicknamed “China’s Florida” due to the tropical climate. It has emerged as a popular tourist destination and also serves as the training base of the Chinese national beach volleyball team. Sanya officials promised the OCA that the pearl of the South China Sea is ready to shine when it hosts the sixth edition of the Asian Beach Games,” reads the announcement.

Sanya is also a well-known place accommodating combat sports events. A number of the “Kunlun Fight” kickboxing promotions were held in the city over the years featuring the likes of famed fighters Buakaw Banchamek and Yodsanklai Fairtex.

Arafura Games 2019 opens the official Muay Thai programme for this season. The event is held in Darwin, Australia from April 25 to May 4. The winners (in selected weight classes) become the first qualified athletes partaking in The World Games 2021 in Birmingham, USA.