The History of the Saudi Muaythai Federation
Since its establishment, the Saudi Muaythai Federation, under the leadership of Prince Fahad bin Mansour bin Saad Al Saud, has been at the forefront of promoting and growing Muaythai in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Through dedication, vision, and collaboration with international governing bodies, SMF has nurtured a thriving community of athletes, coaches, and referees while proudly representing Saudi Arabia on the global stage.
Timeline of Key Milestones
2019: Establishment of the Saudi Muaythai Federation
In 2019, the Saudi Muaythai Federation was officially established under the Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee (SOPC), with HRHP Fahad Bin Mansour Bin Saad Bin Saud Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud appointed as President.
This marked a pivotal moment for Muaythai in the Kingdom, as the first national framework for the sport was implemented, laying the foundation for its growth and development across Saudi Arabia.
2020: First National Championship and International Recognition
In 2020, the Saudi Muaythai Federation participated in the Virtual Muaythai Competition hosted by IFMA, showcasing the skills of Saudi athletes on an international virtual stage. SMF also took part in the Max Fit Challenge, a virtual fitness competition organized by IFMA, promoting strength and resilience among athletes during a challenging period for global sports.
A major milestone for SMF was hosting the first-ever Kingdom Muaythai Championship, which brought together top athletes from across the Kingdom in an unforgettable display of talent and sportsmanship. This championship set a new standard for local competitions and paved the way for future national events.
In December 2020, SMF achieved official recognition and proudly became a member of the IFMA family, aligning itself with the highest international standards in Muaythai governance and competition. This recognition marked a significant step in SMF’s international presence and solidified its role in the global Muaythai community.
Additionally, Eng. Abdulaziz Albnan was appointed as CEO, bringing leadership and strategic vision to the federation as it embarked on its ambitious journey of development and expansion.
2021: Women Inclusivity and International Expansion
he Saudi Muaythai Federation hosted the first women-only local championship, marking a significant milestone in promoting inclusivity within the sport. Additionally, SMF held the first internationally recognized Technical Officials Workshop in collaboration with IFMA, setting a new standard for technical excellence. The federation also hosted the first mixed-gender local championship, emphasizing its commitment to equality and sportsmanship. Building on its success, SMF organized the second edition of the Kingdom Muaythai Championship, bringing together top talent from across the nation in a celebration of skill and competition.
2021 also saw the Saudi National Muaythai Team compete for the first time in the IFMA World Championship, where they made history by securing one silver medal and two bronze medals in their debut appearance.
Demonstrating its dedication to sports diplomacy and global engagement, SMF co-hosted the United Through Sports (UTS) Festival in collaboration with IFMA and the Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee (SOPC), further solidifying its reputation as a key player in the international sporting community.
2022: A Year of Historic Achievements
In 2022, the Saudi Muaythai Federation reached new milestones on both regional and international stages. The national team made its debut at the Arab Muaythai Championship, proudly representing the Kingdom. Additionally, the Youth National Team participated in the Youth World Championship (YWC) held in Kuala Lumpur, achieving an impressive 9 bronze medals and 3 silver medals, showcasing promising talent on the global platform.
The year also marked a significant victory as Saudi athletes claimed the King’s Cup in Bangkok, a prestigious honor in the world of Muaythai. On the local front, SMF successfully hosted the 3rd Edition of the Kingdom Championship, further solidifying its commitment to developing national competitions and fostering new talent.
A major highlight on the national stage was the 1st Edition of the Saudi Games, where Hattan Alsaif made history by securing her first gold medal, marking a pivotal moment in the federation’s journey to elevate the sport and foster inclusivity in Muaythai.
2023: A Year of Landmark Achievements
In 2023, the Saudi Muaythai Federation marked several historic milestones that elevated its presence both locally and internationally. A significant highlight was the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with His Excellency Mr. Darm Bootham, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand, during the Muaythai Inaugural Gala—an event co-hosted with the Thai Embassy to commemorate the re-opening of the Thai Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
This year also witnessed groundbreaking achievements as Hattan Alsaif made history by winning a gold medal at the IFMA Senior World Championships in Bangkok and later securing her second gold medal during the World Combat Games held in Riyadh. Saudi athletes showcased exceptional talent at both the IFMA Senior and Youth World Championships, earning an impressive total of 4 gold medals, 3 silver medals, and 12 bronze medals—a testament to their dedication and hard work.
Additionally, HRHP Fahad Bin Mansour Bin Saad Bin Saud Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was appointed as the Vice President of IFMA, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s leadership role in the global Muaythai community.
SMF also played a pivotal role in supporting the Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee (SOPC) during the World Combat Games in Riyadh, where Saudi athletes excelled in Muaythai by securing two gold medals. The federation’s commitment to inclusivity was further demonstrated by its participation in Para Muaythai, where Saudi Arabia also won gold.
On the national stage, the federation successfully hosted the 2nd Edition of the Saudi Games Muaythai Championship, where Hattan Alsaif once again displayed her dominance by securing another gold medal.
The year concluded with the successful hosting of the 4th Edition of the Kingdom Championship, further cementing SMF’s reputation for organizing premier Muaythai events in the region.
2024: Kingdom Championship Expansion and International Representation
In 2024, the Saudi Muaythai Federation continued to achieve remarkable milestones that reinforced its position on both the national and international stages. Albaraa Alamoudi made history as the first Saudi male athlete to win a gold medal at the IFMA Senior World Championship, showcasing Saudi excellence on the global platform. Saudi athletes’ outstanding performances at international competitions earned a total of 2 gold medals, 1 silver medal, and 11 bronze medals—a testament to their dedication and skill.
SMF also organized the 5th Edition of the Kingdom Championship, which saw unprecedented participation, with over 480 athletes from various regions of Saudi Arabia and neighboring Gulf countries competing in high-level bouts. The championship highlighted SMF’s commitment to growing the sport and providing athletes with competitive opportunities.
On the international front, the federation proudly represented Saudi Arabia at the Muaythai Olympics Exhibition Event held at the Olympic Village during the Olympic Games—further solidifying Muaythai’s presence in the global sporting community.
The year also witnessed significant progress in strengthening the sport through strategic partnerships with public and private sectors, enhancing athlete development programs, and securing valuable sponsorships.
