The 2025 Amazing MuayThai World Festival in Verona marked a major milestone in the global growth of MuayThai. We visited the new Evolution MuayThai facility in the West Midlands, who following the Championship event, now boast 5 gold medallists as part of their team. The girls touched on the importance of their investment into a new gym which has given them the chance to excel and train more consistently together. The West Midlands is suddenly becoming a complete hotspot for combat sport across the country.
00:00The amazing Muay Thai World Festival in Verona marked a major milestone in the global growth of Muay Thai.
00:09Across five days, 949 bouts were held and over 400 medals awarded.
00:14This included 150 official gold medalists and 160 gold medalists with youth and exhibition categories.
00:21Notable awards included Team England as the team of the tournament.
00:25I visited the new Evolution Muay Thai facility in the West Midlands who following the championship event now boast five gold medalists as part of their team.
00:35I'm Grace Griffiths and I've just been to the amazing Muay Thai World Festival and all five of the girls from Evolution won gold.
00:42Yeah, it just didn't feel real at the time to be honest. It was just so crazy like all of us just won gold.
00:47It was just like, it's just like once in a lifetime really.
00:51We've always just been on the same level. It was just who we fought on the day was why I got gold.
00:56They've always been like capable of getting gold but yeah, it's just great training with everyone else that's also gold medalists.
01:02Because like we wouldn't be able to do it without each other just because we've got each other is the reason why we've all got gold medals.
01:08Seeing the others grow as well, like seeing yourself grow obviously. So first you're like a junior and then you're going to like maybe N class as head contact and then C class you're taking off the shin pads.
01:17And then also like seeing all the other girls like transition as well. Obviously Darcy's like the lightest and the youngest fighter and she's getting through her head contact fights now.
01:26Grace is, I did my first C class for like the girls at the gym but then Grace like a couple of weeks after did her first C class.
01:34So seeing everyone grow, not even just you, it's like watching everyone. It's just you're proud of everyone and when you're at a show and you see someone like one of the girls win, it feels like yourself as one.
01:44Like so you're just proud of everyone else as well because you've trained with them and you've watched them train every day when they're like dieting, training as hard as they can, like you're in it with them.
01:53So it's just a proud moment for everyone really.
01:56So we went to Verona with a little girl and their gym have like posted us and it just shows that we're, like we don't realise it but we're inspiring so many younger children who like want to be like us.
02:10And we, we like are the best at our weight. So it's really good.
02:17The girls touched on the importance of their investment into a new gym which has given them the chance to excel and train more consistently together.
02:25The West Midlands is suddenly becoming a complete hotspot for combat sports across the country.
02:31So before, while we was waiting for this, a training in a village hall with literally just mats, no ring, no bags or anything.
02:38So we just had each other. And even then like, this is my first time at the festival but they've been before.
02:44They've won gold, silver there. They've got, we've got WBC belts that came from village hall.
02:49So now we've got the proper thing. We're really excited to see what we do.
02:52Probably last year we were training in a village hall, 45 minute classes.
02:58So, and now we've got a proper gym, a ring and we've got an hour and a half sessions and everything.
03:03It's just like we're just putting the work in and obviously we're seeing the outcome for it.
03:06This occasion also showed just how much the girls' reputation is growing, something they hope to continue in the future.
03:15A couple of others won British titles as well, like from that space, do you know what I mean?
03:20But coming here, having a proper ring full time again, which is fantastic for ring craft.
03:25And a lot of new bodies coming through the door for them to spar and train and the atmosphere in the classes.
03:30It's been fantastic and I think it's just going to keep growing.
03:33I had to speak with the girls sort of a few years ago when they were 14 and said,
03:37listen, you know, we're in this sport, you've got where you are, which is quite high.
03:41There's going to be a time where other things come into your life, driving, boys, drinking, partying, you know.
03:48But I'm telling you now, I'm fully committed to you.
03:50If you're fully committed, by the time you get to 21, 22, you won't regret it, you know.
03:55So put your foot down, just keep going and who knows.
03:59And you know what, if they gave it all up tomorrow, we've achieved more than I could possibly imagine.
04:05But I truly believe that they want it.
04:08I think they'll carry on and, you know, we dare to dream and Olympics has got to be that dream.
04:13You know, if ever it enters into it, I think the girls will be 25.
04:16I don't think they'll be stepping aside for anyone.
04:20And I trust in all of their abilities, you know, so.
04:23So, yeah, let's do it.
04:25This year's festival wasn't just about winners.
04:28It was about community, culture and building something that will take the sport further in the future.
04:34Planning is already underway for next year's event in Thailand.
04:38And the girls are ready to defend their goals.
04:45So, yeah.
04:46I'm going to build a field too.
04:48That was great in Thailand.
04:49I've taken off the field, I expect the country to reach my Voilà ite in Thailand.
04:53You and you really have to come up with Frank!
04:53And you are already there that in Thailand, you must agree.
