So what do you really know about Muay Thai? You’ve probably done a class at the gym, watched Jean-Claude Van Damme in Kickboxer, and spent a long weekend in Bangkok. But have you ever actually seen a fight? Well, here’s your chance. This month, Macau’s CotaiArena hosts The Challenger, a Muay Thai tournament that pits China’s best fighters against those from nations including Japan, Australia, Brazil, Turkey, and the Netherlands. But why are they coming? Well, as Jeremy Chan, spokesperson for ‘The Challenger’ committee, explains; “China produces lots of good fighters, but what it lacks is a well-organised, well-managed event that will provide an objective for fighters, The Challenger has every intention to help overcome this barrier.”

Although Muay Thai is popular all over the world, it is in Asia that it has the biggest following. The organisers of the event believe both fans and newcomers will be impressed by the show. “A professional audio system has been installed; meaning every single punch and kick will be echoed around the arena. For the first time in Macau, the audience can actually hear and see the speed and power behind the fighter,” promises Chan.

Competitors include local favourite Heung ‘Bomber’ Pak-wing, who has already won medals at international level for Hong Kong. He previously met Japanese fighter Keiji Ozaki – a fellow contestant – back in 2006, a fight which ended in a draw. Chan anticipates a hotly contested match if they meet again in the final of ‘The Challenger; “They both want to prove to each other who is a better fighter, and for name and glory, neither of these boys will want to come out second best.” There’s added incentive for Heung: whoever wins goes on to take part in The Contender Asia, a reality TV show watched around the world. Chan believes this brings added pressure as, in addition to the money and the glory, he would be “representing 1.3 billion people. A man that is going to prove to the world the Chinese are just as good as anybody, if not better.”

High stakes for the local hero, then, but ‘The Challenger’ doesn’t just offer exhilarating fights. The special guest is Hollywood star Jean-Claude Van Damme himself, who was keen to be involved with proceedings. Chan has known him for some years, and assures us that he fights as well off screen as he does on, though he’s coming in just a supporting capacity. Van Damme promises a screening of his latest film, JCVD, although the organisers at ‘The Challenger’ are secretive on the exact details ‘Why don’t we save this for the man himself, after all, this is his film?’ remarks Chan.

A local hero, an international star, and high stakes fights? It already sounds like a Van Damme movie. What’s not to like?

Mel Coghlan

CotaiArena Saturday 30