Muay Thai/Kickboxing in old age.?

Question

If I train in Muay Thai for fitness reasons (no prize fighting at any levels and only up to 70% power in sparring which would happen occasionally, and I reach my 60th Birthday...would I be skillfull enough to defeat younger more stronger/faster opponents or is my skill limited to the peak of my physiology?

and is it all downhill one I reach my physical fitness in Muay Thai?

Im asking because they say Muay Thai is for younger people, which is mostly true, I tend to notice people doing Muay Thai in their teens early 20s.

Answer 1

Ray H used the key word "experience".

You can rely on your experience to defeat a much younger opponent in a stand up fight. You learn fight tactics and strategies over the course of time and these can prove to be a very valuable asset.

As an example, I am now 52 and have not trained extensively in more than ten years, so I cannot legitimately call myself a Muay Thai fighter anymore because I do not have the ability to use all of the weapons I once could. Just before I turned 52 I was challenged to spar 3 rounds of boxing with a 22 year old tough guy who had just been paroled from prison and wanted to show how bad he was. I accepted the challenge and insisted that he wear a mouthpiece, to which he laughed. I have to admit that I was a bit concerned that I had gotten in over my head this time when I realized that he was not sparring, he was fighting and wanted to knock me out. I took a lot of punches to the head and ribs during the first two rounds, but I was employing the most basic of strategies based upon my experience. All I fed him for nearly three full rounds was the left jab - nothing but the left jab. Near the end of the third round I threw my left jab and followed right begind it with the hardest straight right I could muster. I caught him flush on the left cheek and he went down, out cold. Because of his lack of experience, he had fallen for the most basic tactic there is. I made him forget about my right hand. He only looked for the left and as soon as he did that I showed him the thing he wasn't looking for.

Experience had taught me something of value that inexperienced people don't have - "Tactics and strategies".

I fully expect to be able to do the same thing when I am 60 and you should expect the same thing. I encourage you to test yourself because it is an awesome feeling and very encouraging to know that you still have what it takes, even when you are older.

Answer 2

As a 50 year old martial artist i can tell you that yes, your phyical abilities do decrease after 42 yrs. Something as vigorous as Muay Thai training will result in injury and your fighting ability will not be anything like a young mans.
However, you can fight smarter - elbows and knees don't require that much maintence - but forget the high kicks.
The idea would be to get as good as you can while young and try to maintain your skills without overdong it after middle age and you will still be effective. The practice will keep you supple and fit where a less strenous art would'nt.
Use it or lose it is a favourite saying of mine.
But don't think you can compete with the under 40 yr olds though. No competitive fighting after 40.

Answer 3

Muay thai is very demanding and punishes your body a great deal, unless you are conditioned in other martial art or sport, I wouldn't recommend you try it as you could be injured.

In order to defeat stronger opponents, you need an edge (like speed) and that is not likely the case at your age. Same with faster opponents, you need an edge (like strength). Skill could give you and edge combined with experience, but that takes time to master.

What you've noticed is correct, it's mostly young people (in their 20's or 30's) taking muay thai due to it's demanding nature.

Answer 4

Unless you have trained since you were young and have amassed a lot of ring savvy and experience, it is very difficult to win against a skilled younger, stronger and faster opponent especially if you just started at a late age. The conditioning needed to strengthen your shins and body require years of hard physical training and at 60 this is quite hard especially if you're going up against younger fighters who recover faster from blows and injuries and have better stamina. At best, you can go up against people your age, but not against younger fighters. For you to win against a younger fighter, you'll need to use special tactics that might be considered illegal in the ring. Sorry.

Answer 5

While I agree with the guys above me, there is still a lot of benefit to being in shape and having skills. You'll be able to defend yourself much better than a younger guy *without* all the skill and training, but you have to know your weaknesses as well. There are guys who compete very late, but don't think you're going to be winning too much. Winning isn't everything though, and you can still find people to give you a good workout.

If it keeps you active and in shape, keep at it anyways, I would say.

Answer 6

nah your not too youthful to earnings.. i became approximately 7 whilst my dad experienced me and that i'm nonetheless doing Muay Thai.. my dad is likewise a coach and trains all persons at any age... his oldest shopper became a minimum of 50. so, your stable..

Answer 7

While it may be true that you won't be as fast as the younger boxers, skill and experience often make up for that.