USA Muaythai had an incredible and historic experience at the 2023 IFMA World Championships in Bangkok, Thailand. The team had a unique blend of both IFMA veterans and athletes making their debut in international competition, representing USA Muaythai for the first time. All of our athletes competed with heart, skill, and determination and represented the USA with honor.
The team earned seven total medals and finished as the second-ranked team in the world, only behind the host nation of Thailand. Three of the ten medals were gold medals in the Elite category, which is a team record in IFMA World Championship competition. Aaron Ortiz of Worcester, Massachusetts (Team Link Muay Thai) captured the -86kg gold medal for the second consecutive year, while 2022 -57kg gold medalist Tierra Brandt of Mesa, Arizona (Dan’s Gym) moved up a weight class this year to become the 2023 -60kg IFMA World Champion. Megan Washam of the Bay Area (Woodenman Muay Thai) also captured gold in the -54kg category in her first-ever international competition.
Both of USA Muaythai’s silver medals came in the U23 category, with Andy Kiecker of Elk River, Minnesota (The Academy MN) earning second place in the -81kg division and Huxley Martin of Portland, Oregon (Ringcraft Muay Thai) doing the same in the -86kg division.
Five more USA Muaythai athletes received bronze medals. Three Los Angeles, California-based athletes each earned third place: Donavan McKiver and Caia Knoles of (Boxing Works) in the U23 -63.5kg and Elite -51kg divisions respectively, as well as Erin Clayton (The Thai Boxing Institute) in the Elite -63.5kg division. Also picking up bronze medals were Denver, Colorado’s Allie Readmond (Easton Muay Thai) in the Elite -71kg division and Chicago, Illinois’s Adam Reynolds (Prime Muay Thai) in the Elite -91kg division.
Additionally, USA Muaythai’s head coaches received the honor of being named 2023 IFMA Head Coaches of the Year. The head coaches were Danny Brandt of Mesa, Arizona (Dan’s Gym), Rami Ibrahim of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Rami Elite), Sean Madden of Denver, Colorado (Easton Muay Thai), and Jose Aguirre of Virginia Beach, Virginia (East Side Muay Thai).
USA Muaythai’s performance at the 2023 IFMA World Championships is a testament to the team’s growth in recent years. While the team struggled to make the top 10 a few short years ago, it has now proven that it can compete with the best of the best in the world. With the newly-implemented ascension model and the development of youth programs across the country, the future of USA Muaythai as a top-level team in the world is looking even brighter for the next generation of American Muaythai athletes.
USA Muaythai President Michael Corley is especially excited for the future of the sport in America, saying, “It has been amazing to witness the progress of USA Muaythai over the years! From seeing athletes battle it out at the National Championships, to standing on the podium at the IFMA World Championships and coming second only to Thailand – USA Muaythai is growing!”