Combat Sports are Hitting the Singaporean Market Hard
- Wayne Aw
- Aug 2, 2019
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 8, 2019
The popularity of combat sports has been skyrocketing in Singapore, here’s why you should jump on the bandwagon
Punches and kicks ripping into heavy bags, the smell of sweat and Tiger Balm, every age and gender smashing punching pads – expect these in combat-sports classes.
The popularity of combat sports is on the rise in Singapore with people flocking to the nearest fight gym to sign up for Boxing, Muay Thai and even Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) classes. Various reputable fight gyms are adapting to the rising demand, including Evolve MMA which has expanded to four locations since 2009.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) also partnered with local brand NF fitness to open 15 gyms in Singapore.
So, what is the appeal to these seemingly violent combat sports?
“I’ve seen a huge increase in people doing combat sports. With the whole Pacquiao versus Mayweather match, that was a cosmic shift in the boxing balance. I think people are coming into gyms in Singapore because of the hype and many are sticking around.” Says coach Prithiv Elansharan, a well-built fighter with a warm smile who teaches at Vanda Fight Gym.
A large cause of the recent surge in Singaporeans interested in combat sports can also be attributed to the benefits they boast. According to an article by Harvard Medical School, combat sports can benefit any individual physically and mentally. Combat sports can serve as good strength training, aerobic exercise and drastically improve hand-eye coordination.
Combat sports can also act as a medium for character building or emotional relief. Although majority join to improve their physicality, a handful also participate to get out of a dark place in life. One such person is student Finnegan Tan, 20, who joined the Ngee Ann Polytechnic Muay Thai team early 2019.
“I was in a dark place in time. Losing loved ones, failing at my studies, my life was horrible. I picked up Muay Thai as a platform to learn values to deal with my harsh reality. It taught me resilience, strength and endeavour,” he says confidently.
However, despite the multitude of benefits combat sports bring to the table, Singaporeans still have concerns regarding hurting people or getting hit, even if for sport.
In September 2017, Singaporean bodybuilder Pradip Subramanian died in a celebrity Muay Thai match. This sent Singaporeans in a frenzy, some even blaming the Amateur Muay Thai Association of Singapore (AMAS).
It caused the public to reconsider the safety of combat sports. Netizens expressed their worry in various forums, claiming the AMAS made a poor choice allowing the bout to happen.
Parents often worry for their children who want to join combat sports classes. Aw Bing Xun, 20, notes that he struggled initially to gain his parents approval to pick up Muay Thai.
“It’s the same old story. My parents were worried I would get injured. Head trauma, a permanently broken limb, you know the deal.” - Aw Bing Xun
He continues, “I understand why they were concerned but when they went to the gym, the coaches coaxed my parents, saying that I would be safe and sound.”
Fight gyms in Singapore ensure patrons’ utmost safety during their combat sports. Coaches at gyms like Evolve MMA and Vanda Fight Gym are certified in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and are trained to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Some are also affiliated to large combat sports organisations including the World Muay Thai Association and the World Boxing Council.
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