Dhaka hosts first-ever International Muay Thai tournament today

For the first time in Bangladesh’s sporting history, an international Muay Thai (Thai boxing) tournament is being held in Dhaka, marking a significant milestone in the country’s combat sports scene.

The event, titled 'Double Horse Knockout Fight Night 001', is set to begin today, Friday, at 3.00pm at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center. Organized by the Jamuna Group, the one-day tournament has drawn participation from four countries, including host nation Bangladesh.

A total of 34 fighters will compete across 17 bouts, featuring five professional and twelve amateur fights. Bangladesh leads with 27 participants, while India is sending three fighters, and Thailand and Kyrgyzstan are represented by two fighters each. The matches will be held under standard Muay Thai rules — amateur bouts will consist of three rounds of three minutes, and professional bouts will have five rounds of three minutes each.

Notably, the tournament also features a women's fight, with two Bangladeshi athletes facing off in the ring.

Although currently a single-day event, the organizers plan to turn it into a regular league-format competition, aiming to continue the initiative for at least the next ten years, according to Yasin Islam Nazel, director of Jamuna Group. Speaking at a press conference held Thursday at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Dhaka, Nazel—himself a martial arts practitioner—said the event is a result of his personal passion for the sport.

The press conference was attended by fighters and officials from all participating countries. In a gesture of goodwill, the Kyrgyz delegation presented Nazel with traditional gowns and hats, symbolizing brotherhood between Bangladesh and Kyrgyzstan. In return, the Bangladeshi organizers plan to present the Kyrgyz team with a commemorative belt.

To ensure fair play and professionalism, four international judges from Thailand have been brought in to officiate the matches. They have also brought five specially crafted championship belts for the winners of the professional bouts.

Tickets, priced at Tk 600, are available online via Tikify. The venue has a seating capacity of 950 spectators, and organizers expect a full house for this historic event.