Thursday, December 17, 2009, 09:35 AM
I've never been one who is big into sports, but I think I have finally found a sport I can connect with. Muay Thai boxing. Yes, I know, it may seem odd that a 5'3'' little blonde girl would be into a sport as intense as Muay Thai, but there is just something about it that is really captivating. Chris and I went when we were in Chaing Mai and had ringside seats. We were right in the thick of it. The blood, the sweat the sound of hitting skin, the coaches yelling directions at their boxers, being close enough to see the intensity in the boxers eyes. There is something incredible about watching someone push to their physical limits and still fighting through the pain. I found it extremely empowering. The discipline  behind the martial art is pretty insane. Some of these boxers train and compete from the time they are five or six years old. In Thailand, Muay Thai is the national sport so there is a great deal of pride behind the discipline. 

This was one of my very favorite things that we did in Thailand. I'm not sure what I liked more; the energy that I felt all around me being in that crowd cheering, or the empowerment that Chris and I got seeing the underdog end up with his fist held high in the air. There was just something special about it. Chris said he was happy I finally found a sport that I liked ;) So am I. We watched about 2 hours of boxing on television the other night when we both couldn't sleep due to jet lag. I'm pretty much sucked in.



Thoughts
Add a Comment View Comments (9)
Paul says: Monday, December 21, 2009, 12:32 PM

Wow! These are great images. Talk about an intense sport. I love the b/w conversions that you've got here. Super cool!

mary says: Friday, December 18, 2009, 02:44 PM

beautiful sarah! such strong images full of so much emotion! i am captivated. So happy you two had such a wonderful safe trip!

john pascale says: Friday, December 18, 2009, 09:12 AM

I'm tired just looking at these. Intense! Energy! Powerful photos!

Alexandra says: Friday, December 18, 2009, 06:52 AM

Awesome photos! Very intense.

imthiaz houseman says: Thursday, December 17, 2009, 09:27 PM

these are so cool! congrats on finding a sport you like. :)

Dennis Bullock says: Thursday, December 17, 2009, 04:30 PM

These are so cool Sarah!

erwinwijanto says: Thursday, December 17, 2009, 10:26 AM

I wanna go to Thailand someday... great captured Sarah n Chris.. There's so many lovely images from your travels.. :) You should plan your next Asia Travel to Indonesia.. I take you around here.. so many beautiful places and real traditional people, food, and places too :)

johnwaire | photo says: Thursday, December 17, 2009, 10:23 AM

...those guys are the most disciplined....strongest....fighters around.

Ryan says: Thursday, December 17, 2009, 10:00 AM

These are excellent. Actually all your Thailand images are beautiful. You have such a gift for composition and seeing what looks good. Not only do you rock at portraits of all kinds, you knock it out of the park with journalistic shooting too. Keep this up. I love seeing your fresh views!