Muay Thai Kids By Alain Schroeder

Elephant Festival, A fight in the 22 Kg category between Jai Pit and Fai Man Gon (both 10 years old).After too many hard blows, this young fighter, is scared and does not want to continue. He sits in the corner as he receives the count from the referee ending the fight. At high risk for brain injuries and neurological disorders, legislation banning children under 12 from competition is pending approval. © Alain Schroeder

Elephant Festival, Between rounds, it is customary to lift a fighter up to stretch and refresh the body. This gives the fighters a chance to shake out their legs and relax their muscles. Feeling light helps to energize the fighters mentally and physically. © Alain Schroeder

Elephant Festival, Two 9-year-old fighters in the 26 kg category engage in a merciless 3 round fight. Each round lasts 2 minutes with 2 breaks of 1 minute. The number of child boxers in Thailand is estimated between100 and 200,000, with some as young as four years old. © Alain Schroeder

Elephant Festival, In the 38kg category, a fight between Pep Dala and Pet Po Thong (both 12 years old). © Alain Schroeder

Before the afternoon training, Sommao or Sor Puang Tong (10 years old) is taking a nap with his teddy bears at the gym where he lives and trains in Buriram. He left his family home at the age of 5 to practice Muay Thai. He was 7 in the picture above his bed when he won his first championship. In December 2021, he won the IFMA world championship in his category and received 100,000 baht prize money from the Thai government. Following his win, Sommao joined the Thai Juniors national team. © Alain Schroeder

Two 10-year-old fighters in the 22 kg category engage in a merciless 3 round fight. Each round lasts for 2 minutes with 2 breaks of 1 minute. Also known as the art of eight limbs, Muay Thai fighters use fists, shins, elbows, and knees as weapons for striking. Most fighters come from the poorest regions in Thailand where Muay Thai provides a way out of poverty for some. Kids starting out earn 300-500 baht ($10-$16) per fight. Given the high-stakes betting that dominates the sport, they can earn more in one fight than their parents can earn cultivating rice in a year.© Alain Schroeder

Elephant Festival, A fight in the 23 Kg category between Poen Khon's (8 years old) and Super Best (8 years old). They are so small that they don't even touch the last rope of the ring. © Alain Schroeder

Elephant Festival, After the first round in the 26 Kg category, Nua Pit's (8 years old) coach pours ice cold water over his head, massages his stomach and legs, and stretches his arms and ligaments. © Alain Schroeder

Elephant Festival, After the first round in the 23 Kg category, Poen Khon's (8 years old) coach pours ice cold water over his head, massages his stomach and legs, and stretches his arms and ligaments while another trainer shouts advice and strategy. © Alain Schroeder

Elephant Festival, The coaches and trainers prepare Phoom Khaosod, a 6-year-old boy from Surin, who is competing in the 22 kg category. His team places a mat on the floor next to the ring, applies oil to his body and wraps his hands with tape and bandages. At his age he has already competed 13 times; 6 wins, 5 losses, 2 draws. © Alain Schroeder

Elephant Festival, In preparation, fighters sit on floor mats around the stadium to oil their bodies and hair and wrap their hands and wrists to minimize injuries. Reusable cloth wraps are used for training while gauze bandages and tape are used in competition. Two young fighters from the same gym stand ready to fight. © Alain Schroeder