Muay Thai (Kickboxing)
Thai Kick Boxing, or Muay Thai, is the national sport of Thailand. The ultimate in a pure combat martial art. Everything is oriented towards the lightning attack of fists and feet. In five 3-minute rounds, opponents go through a full-contact fight for the entertainment of millions. Part of the reason why Kick Boxing is so deadly is due to the number of competitors. Training can start as early as the child can walk and virtually every able-bodied Thai boy practices kick boxing and dreams of becoming a national champ. It's not limited to men either; there are plenty of tournaments for female kick boxers as well. The main difference between Eastern Kick Boxing and Western-style championship boxing is the ritual. Each Kick Boxer must perform the Ram Muay, or ritual dance, before each fight. One of the major problems with Thai Boxing, and the reason why many fighters leave the sport, is the gangster influence. Boxers who refuse to "take a fall" may find their family threatened, their bouts cancelled, or they may even end up being permanently disqualified for 107 "cheating" or violating the rules. In severe cases, the boxer may go to jail for trumped up "crimes," or may be permanently disabled. SPECIAL NOTE: Rolling height and weight for Thai Kick Boxer characters is special. The real martial art champions are in the lowest weight classes. For height, roll IDS for the number of inches to be added to four feet, ten inches. Weight is determined by rolling 4D6, multiplying the result by ten, and adding it to 80 pounds. So, rolls of 7 and 10 would result in a character 5ft, 5in and 90 Ibs. Costume: In the ring, one wears light boxing gloves, trunks, and foot wrappings. Other, optional, items include the Kruang Rang, a religious artifact (usually Buddhist) tied around the upper arm with a bright cloth wrapping, and the Monkon, a brightly colored headband that identifies the fighter's teacher. Stance: Like a boxing stance, except the weight is shifted from leg to leg in preparation for kicking.
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