Bangkok, Thailand – The 2024 IFMA Youth World Championships concluded on Friday September 20th in Bangkok and was a great success. United Through Sports (UTS) did not want to miss this stunning youth event and was right in the heart of the action. Parth Talwar, a 15 years old from India and Muaythai aficionado himself, has joined UTS CEO Julia Govinden at the event, as a newly appointed UTS Young Leader, joining the ranks of inspirational figures like 2x Paralympic gold medalists Ezra Frech or Pride of Britain for Courage 2021 Harmonie-Rose Allen.
Despite his young age, Parth has lived in many countries from India, China, Myanmar to Thailand and speaks Chinese in addition to Hindi and English. This remarkable young man is also a great public speaker and has been regularly training in Muaythai for a few years now and is an active and regular member of Mongkon Academy. The Mongkon Academy is a gym located in Bangkok launched in collaboration with UTS as a charity project aiming to provide education and sports to youth of all abilities and backgrounds.
Parth’s Muaythai journey began when he was 12, after his mother enrolled him in a trial class. From the very first session, he felt like he belonged in this environment and connected with the values of Martial Arts. He knew it was where he wanted to be. It wasn’t just the physical training that captivated him, but also the inclusive atmosphere of the sport.
Parth sees Muaythai and sports in general as powerful tools for fostering inclusion and unity:
“It’s really cool to have the opportunity to meet people from different cultural backgrounds through sport. It’s a great life skill to be exposed to different people and cultures”
For Parth, shared passion is enough to break down any barriers. He said:
“When you’re passionate about the same thing, that’s all that matters. There’s no label: this guy’s from India, Thailand, or wherever. Sport helps break cultural barriers, and that’s what we need in the 21st century, especially as the world becomes more diverse and people work together across cultures.”
UTS Young Leader Bassam Murthasa, from Sri Lanka, was also in Bangkok and competing as a youth Muaythai athlete in the event. Bassam won Bronze in the Wai Kru competition! He and Parth have already connected over their shared passion of Muaythai !
UTS CEO Julia Govinden said:
“It has been incredible to witness our young leaders meeting at different international sport events. To see a federation who really places a spotlight on inclusion and has provided a platform for athletes of all abilities around the world is a testament to dedication and team effort. This youth world championship is the best yet, and no doubt next year it will be even bigger and better.”
The 2024 IFMA Youth World Championships is the biggest IFMA Youth event as of yet, with 96 teams and over 3,600 participants. Athletes from across the globe, including countries as far away as New Zealand, Brazil, Morocco, Egypt, Madagascar, and Palestine, have traveled to Bangkok for this event. This year, the competition is elevated by the royal recognition from His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Her Majesty Queen Suthida, who have bestowed Royal Trophies on the Best Male and Female teams.
IFMA, the only Muaythai federation recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), continues to champion inclusion and equality. Neutral athletes, refugee teams, and competitors of all abilities are at the heart of this year’s championships, reinforcing Muaythai’s commitment to providing a place for everyone on the world stage, regardless of background or circumstance. Two years ago, IFMA made history by introducing special and para disciplines as full medal sports, and this year builds on that legacy, showcasing the federation’s unwavering dedication to inclusion.
With this mission, IFMA is sending a clear message: inclusion is not just possible, it’s essential. This commitment to creating opportunities where few exist aligns perfectly with the values of UTS, making our presence here a natural fit. Along with CEO Julia Govinden leading from the forefront, UTS Colombia’s representative David Gonzalez and UTS Korea’s Mason Kwon are actively involved in the event. David, in particular, has joined UTS Young Leader Bassam Murthasa in engaging local Thai schools, bringing Muaythai into classrooms and fostering cultural exchanges with Bangkok’s youth.
Held at Bangkok’s iconic Siam Paragon from September 11th to 20th, the championship also serves as a platform for education and cultural exchange through events like the Youth World Conference, the annual World Youth Gala and School Cultural Activities. These initiatives, coupled with the competition, reflect IFMA’s commitment to fostering the next generation of athletes through the promotion of Olympic values, inclusion, and mutual respect.
The cultural aspect of Muaythai remains a focal point of the championships, with the traditional Wai Kru ritual taking center stage. This ancient practice, performed by athletes before each bout, honors their gyms, their opponents, and the art of Muaythai itself. Since 2014, IFMA has incorporated Wai Kru competitions into the event, encouraging athletes to infuse their own cultural heritage into the performance. This year, more than 800 youth from over 90 countries participated in a special workshop led by esteemed Thai Masters, further promoting the cultural richness of Muaythai.
UTS is proud to be at the forefront, supporting young athletes and the next generation of leaders like Bassam, and Parth, as they contribute to the spirit of unity and inclusion that defines this momentous event.
