THE FIRST WOMEN’S MUAY THAI FIGHTS AT THE LUMPINEE AND RADJA STADIUM
THE FIRST WOMEN’S MUAY THAI FIGHTS AT THE LUMPINEE AND RADJA STADIUM
BY SERGE TREFEU
On September 18, 2021, a historic moment for Thai Muay Thai took place at the Lumpinee stadium in Bangkok. For the first time in the history of this sport, a fight between female boxers was organized in this legendary stadium. This match pitted champions Saenajan Sor Jor Tongprajin against Buakaw Mor Kor Chor Chaiyaphum, who were fighting for the WBC world title in 105 lbs (48 kg).
Initially scheduled for May 5, 2021, the fight was postponed several times due to restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic. Rescheduled for July 3, 2021, it was finally able to take place on September 18, 2021.
However, the pandemic forced some notable adjustments: the fights were no longer held in the main arena of the Lumpinee stadium, but in a makeshift studio, with only a ring and no audience. This intimate setup nevertheless allowed the fights to be broadcast via the private television channel Lumpinee Go Sport World Muay Thai, offering spectators an opportunity to follow the event remotely.
This fight marked an important step forward for the recognition and visibility of women’s Muay Thai, in a place traditionally reserved for men. It is a symbolic step that has paved the way for greater inclusion of women in the most prestigious arenas of Muay Thai.
This initiative was orchestrated by the promoter Mr. Sittiroujan Sathien Jarupongsa, creator of the Go Sport World Muay Thai event, in collaboration with Lieutenant General Suchart Dangpraphai, head of the stadium. Their common goal was clear: to innovate and promote women’s fighting in a setting traditionally reserved for men. The fight pitted two promising talents of women’s Muay Thai:
Saenajan Sor Jor Tongprajin, 17 years, from Chanthaburi region (Northeast). At that time, she had 41 fights to her credit, with 30 wins and 2 draws.
Buakaw Mor Kor Chor Chaiyaphum, 21 years, from Buriram region (Northeast). She had a solid experience with 52 fights, 39 wins, 3 draws, and a fine record including a gold medal at the World Championships and another at the Asian Championships.
After a fierce fight, Saenajan Sor Jor Tongprajin won on points, becoming the first female boxer to win a WBC world champion belt at Lumpinee Stadium.
On September 25, 2021, an unprecedented event took place at Lumpinee Stadium, marking a new milestone in the international expansion of women’s Muay Thai. French boxer Souris Manfredi made history by becoming the first foreigner to fight at this iconic Muay Thai venue. The match, held in a studio without an audience due to Covid restrictions, was broadcast on Lumpinee Go Sport World Muay Thai channel.
Souris Manfredi, a fighter with an impressive track record, including Lethwei world champion and European Muay Thai champion, faced Thailand’s Oomsin. In an intense and technical fight, Souris demonstrated all her mastery and determination, dominating her opponent and winning on points. This match has an important symbolic significance. After becoming, on August 28, 2020, the first foreign woman to win a Lethwei world champion title in Burma, Souris Manfredi once again made history by opening the doors of the Lumpinee stadium to international fighters.
Two months later, on November 13, 2021, a historic moment further enriched the history of women’s boxing in Thailand: Australian champion Celest Hansen became the first foreigner to officially fight in the main ring of the legendary Lumpinee Stadium. She faced Thai Nongnuk R.R. Gilakorat. This match ended in a points victory for Nongnuk, but the stakes went beyond the result. This encounter marked a decisive turning point, confirming that Lumpinee was now truly accessible to Nakmuay Ying (female boxers)!
On August 5, 2022, a new page in the history of women’s Muay Thai was written in one of the most sacred temples of this sport: the Rajadamnern Stadium. Since its opening in 1945, this iconic stadium had never hosted a women’s fight. That day, Thailand’s Aida Looksaikongdin entered the legend by becoming the first Thai woman to step into the ring of the Radja, breaking a tradition of nearly 77 years.
Aida, 19 years, is a talented boxer who had already won the silver medal at the Muay Thai amateur championships in 2018. Married to One Championship superstar Rodtang Jitmuangnon, nicknamed “the bull of the rings”, Aida faced a tough opponent: Iranian champion Zahra Shokouhi, two-time IFMA Amateur world champion and member of the prestigious Venum Gym in Pattaya.
In a hard-fought fight, Aida Looksaikongdin won on points against the Iranian.
Aida’s victory over Radja will remain as a founding moment in the history of women’s Muay Thai, inspiring future generations of fighters to pursue their dreams.
On December 23, 2023, a new historic milestone was reached in women’s Muay Thai. For the first time, a women’s title from Rajadamnern Stadium, one of the most prestigious in Bangkok, was contested. This landmark fight pitted two great champions against each other: Somratsamee Manpayim, Thai star and multiple champion (RWS 2023 tournament champion, RWS 2022 world champion, silver medalist at the IFMA amateur world championships), with an impressive record of 44 wins and 6 losses.
Sevgi Dogan, the formidable Turkish champion of Venum Gym, with 153 wins and 21 losses (3 gold medals at the IFMA amateur world championships, gold medal at the WKO European championships).
The two fighters faced each other for the Rajadamnern Stadium belt in 118 lbs, they fought a very intense fight that captivated the spectators and wrote a new page in the history of the stadium. Somratsamee Manpayim triumphed on points after a fierce duel, becoming the first female champion of the Rajadamnern Stadium!
Somratsamee was quick to prove that she deserved her title. On March 9, 2024, she defended her belt against the tough Slovak Monika Chochlíková (WMC World Champion 2023 and 2021, IFMA Amateur World Champion 2021). In a close fight, Somratsamee once again demonstrated her superiority, victoriously retaining her belt.
The recent historic Nakmuay Ying (women boxers) matches at Lumpinee and Rajadamnern Stadium marked a turning point for women’s boxing in Thailand. These events, after more than 70 years of ban, symbolise a significant shift in the perception of women in this traditional sport.
A gradual but significant change:
Before 1995, women’s fights were banned in most boxing camps and rings. This reflected deeply rooted religious and cultural traditions, including the ban on women entering the ring or even touching a sacred ring.
After 1995, some smaller stadiums opened their doors to women’s fights. The Asawindam and Rangsit stadiums in Bangkok, in particular, played a crucial role in hosting women’s fights and broadcasting them on national television, bringing new visibility to the women’s sport.
A boom in female Muay Thai practitioners:
Today, more and more Thai women are practicing Muay Thai. The current situation contrasts sharply with that of the 1970s, 80s and 90s, when very few women had access to training camps or official competitions. This development can be explained in particular by:
A gradual modernization of mentalities, although slow, thanks to globalization and the influence of international federations.
The rise of women’s competitions in other countries, which has pushed Thailand to adapt to remain the world leader in Muay Thai.
A growing demand from young girls and their families to practice a sport that is as much a tradition as a path to social success.
Despite this progress, women’s boxing in Thailand remains far from equal to men’s.
But the recent women’s fights at Lumpinee and Rajadamnern Stadium represent more than just a series of sporting events. They have opened a new era where women boxers can compete on platforms as prestigious as those of men.
These advances, combined with the growing number of young female boxers, could transform the perception and impact of women’s boxing in Thailand, while allowing women to gain greater recognition and respect in this ancient art…