The International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA), the sole world governing body for Muaythai recognised by the International Olympic Committee, has confirmed that athletes from Russia and Belarus are now fully authorised to return to international Muaythai competition under their national flags and symbols across all age groups and categories.
Under the updated participation framework, athletes from both nations will compete under their respective national flags at all IFMA-sanctioned events, including youth, junior, U23, and senior championships. National team uniforms will once again be permitted to display official country abbreviations and national insignia in accordance with IFMA competition regulations.
In addition, the national anthems of both countries will be played during medal ceremonies should athletes or teams secure championship titles at official IFMA events. All participation will continue to operate fully under IFMA’s established international competition rules, integrity standards, safeguarding policies, and anti-doping regulations.
IFMA President Dr. Sakchye Tapsuwan emphasised that Muaythai has always stood for inclusion, friendship, mutual respect, and unity among nations, while noting that Russian and Belarusian athletes had continued to participate actively in IFMA events in recent years under neutral status.
“Muaythai is built upon the values of respect, honour, tradition, and unity. Throughout this period, athletes from Russia and Belarus continued to participate in IFMA events at all levels as neutral athletes, often with very strong delegations and significant participation numbers.
At the same time, youth athletes from Russia and Belarus were never fully sanctioned or excluded from IFMA development pathways, because children and young athletes should never carry the burden of political conflict.
IFMA has always believed it was important to preserve communication, friendship, and the unifying power of sport. Today’s decision reflects the spirit of unity through sport and the belief that athletes should have the opportunity to compete with dignity and respect while upholding the values of the Olympic Movement.”
The return to full participation has been implemented progressively over recent years. Following the initial recommendations introduced across international sport in 2022, IFMA maintained continuous dialogue with all relevant stakeholders while ensuring full compliance with international sport governance, integrity, safeguarding, and anti-doping standards.
During this period, Russian and Belarusian athletes continued to compete regularly at IFMA World Championships, continental championships, and international events under neutral participation frameworks, frequently participating with large delegations and strong athlete numbers across multiple divisions and age categories.
The reinstatement of national symbols now marks the final step towards full reintegration into the international Muaythai family.
The return of Russian and Belarusian athletes under their national flags is expected to further strengthen competition at upcoming IFMA events while reinforcing Muaythai’s commitment to sport as a platform for friendship, excellence, inclusion, cultural exchange, and peace through sport.
