Muay Thai

Việt Nam's Nguyễn Trần Duy Nhất (left) will take part in the MTGP Championship this December and next March . Photo thethao247.vn

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam's most popular fighter Nguyễn Trần Duy Nhất will be one of many exciting names competing at the Muay Thai Grand Prix (MTGP) in HCMC in December and early next year.

The 2023 MTGP Việt Nam Championship in March will be the first in an MTGP series to be held in HCM City.

Muay Thai is a stand-up combat sport from Thailand that utilises punches, kicks, knees, elbows and clinch fighting.

The tournament will give the nation's most famed domestic fighters an international platform to complete.

Nguyễn Trần Duy Nhất, 33, is a seven-time Muay Thai world champion, four-time Southeast Asian Games Muay Thai medalist, and mixed martial arts fighter who will compete for the 60kg belt at this weekend's Lion Championship.

Other Vietnamese stars include Huỳnh Hà Hữu Hiếu and Trương Cao Minh Phát.

International competitors include Changpuak Pongtong of Thailand, Jeremy Payet from France and Liam Chirag Patel of the UK.

"Vietnamese athletes have few tournaments to take part in during a year. Therefore, the MTGP championship will be a great opportunity for them to sharpen skills, gain experience and improve their quality," said Trần Trung Sơn of the HCM City Muay Thai Federation.

"The MTGP championship promises real-life combat and the true beauty of martial arts in our country."

Philip Tieu, the MTGP founder, said MTGP Việt Nam Championship is special as it marks his return to his home country. He has long hoped to organise a large-scale competition under international standards in Việt Nam.

He said the cooperation of the Việt Nam Television Cable Corporation (VTVcab) and the HCM City Muay Thai Federation in organising activities would help lift the sport to the highest level in Việt Nam.

"We are very excited to be working with VTVcab on our series of events here, especially hosting the MTGP Việt Nam Championship in 2023," said MTGP Asia President Đặng Quốc Thái in Hà Nội on November 23.

"Our opening event in HCM City will show the highest levels with international fighters from the United Kingdom, France, Thailand and India to compete with the best Muay Thai fighters of Việt Nam.

"Whether you attend the event at the Rạch Miễu Gymnasium or watch it on VTVcab ON, you are in for a treat," he said.

Bùi Huy Năm, General Director of VTVcab, and MTGP Asia President Đặng Quốc Thái seen at a strategic cooperation signing ceremony in Hà Nội on November 23. — Photo of VTVcab

VTVcab and MTGP will work on organising, producing and broadcasting the competition.

Supporters can watch all matches on VTVcab multi-platforms of television, OTT and social networks.

"With the cooperation of MTGP, VTVcab expects to bring a high-class tournament with a great atmosphere of passionate cheers and breathtaking fights from big names in the Muay Thai world," said Bùi Huy Năm, General Director of VTVcab.

"Our broadcast will help Vietnamese audiences access one of the fastest-developing sports in the world.

"We will promote and contribute to the development of Việt Nam's Muay Thai and make our trademark internationally," he said.

Before the championship, MTGP will hold an event to introduce its brand name in Việt Nam on December 29 in HCM City.

The "World Welterweight Title Fight" at the Rạch Miễu Gymnasium.

On the card are bouts between Huỳnh Văn Tuấn of Việt Nam vs WaraYut Wanajamriang of Thailand in the men's 51kg; Trương Cao Minh Phát of Việt Nam vs Liam Chirag Patel from UK and Nguyễn Trần Duy Nhất of Việt Nam vs Ponphitak Sukpasried of Thailand, both in the men's 60kg class.

MTGP showcases the best Muay Thai, K-1 kickboxing and mixed martial arts (MMA) talent worldwide.

Muay Thai Grand Prix has promoted events in the UK, Australia, Bulgaria, France, Greece, Iraq and the Reunion Islands for over five years and is considered one of Europe's leading promotions.

As Europe's largest martial arts organisation, MTGP is a celebration of deep-rooted Muay Thai, K1 and MMA values of respect, humility, honour, integrity, courage, discipline and compassion.

MTGP has previously featured well-known fighters such as Liam Harrison, Charlie Peters, Evan Jays, John Wayne, Damien Trainor, Dan McGowan, Iman Barlow, Paul Karpowicz, John Shink, Pakorn and many more. VNS