Combat Corner

MATT WILLIAMS

Owner, Bones MMA

There’s a rising tide building for Muay Thai in Australia, and this weekend it surges into the Melbourne Showgrounds.

For the first time, the Muay Thai Australia International Open and Muay Thai Nationals will run concurrently, bringing together more than 400 competitors from across the country and overseas.

It’s a significant moment for the sport locally, with international teams arriving to test themselves against Australia’s best, while every state fields its top representatives in the national competition.

The event runs across Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with Saturday dedicated to the Nationals, a showcase of the country’s elite talent competing state versus state.

It’s a format that raises the stakes and gives fighters a chance to represent something bigger than themselves.

For readers less familiar, Muay Thai known as the “Art of Eight Limbs” is a striking sport that incorporates punches, kicks, elbows and knees. It demands timing, discipline and composure, qualities that take years to refine and are often built from a young age.

That’s where athletes like nine-year-old Armstrong Creek local Astin Sword come into the picture. Having trained for around three years, Astin has already built an impressive 5-0 record competing through Muay Thai Victoria.

This weekend he returns, not just as an individual, but as part of a wider team alongside a 10-strong Surf Coast squad.

Experiences like this can be formative. Being the youngest in a team teaches accountability, builds confidence and exposes young athletes to higher standards early.

It’s not just about winning or losing, it’s about learning how to prepare, how to handle pressure and how to carry yourself among more experienced teammates. For someone like Astin, it’s a glimpse of what lies ahead.

For BJ Sword its a proud dad moment.

“Astin has trained so hard for the Nationals. He has made some really healthy choices in preparation. Having an event so big to motivate him like this is awesome,” he said.

The sport itself has grown steadily in Australia over the past decade, moving from smaller local shows to events of this scale.

International opens like this one are key to that growth. They raise the level of competition and provide pathways for athletes at every stage of their journey.

Among those representing Victoria this weekend is Torquay’s Kai Young in the 63.5kg division.

Kai is coming of an impressive debut win as a professional and is strong form. He opens against Ben Wilson of the ACT, a seasoned fighter out of the respected Lee Fook gym and a former Australian representative – a tough first round pick for the elimination tournament.

With affordable tickets covering all three days, it’s an accessible opportunity for locals, from longtime fans to curious newcomers to experience the sport up close and cheer on the Surf Coast’s own.