Hungary’s biggest Thai box camp is going international at Lake Balaton – PHOTO, VIDEO

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In 2021 for the third time, the Great Balaton Sparring Party was organized by Kurdy gym, where more than a hundred fighters Thai boxers, kick boxers, boxers and martial artists met. This event tops a week long Thai box camp where beginners can learn from internationally acclaimed fighters like Norbert Spéth and István Kurdy Jr. who is the host of the camp alongside his father. The organisers have no secret plans to invite foreign clubs to the shores of Lake Balaton in 2022 alongside with numerous Hungarian clubs, to expand the learning experience.

It has become a tradition in recent years that on the last day of the summer Thai box training camp – organised by the leader of Kurdy Gym, István Kurdy Senior –, several clubs and sportspeople visited the beach of Balatonszárszó to have a day of sparring. This summer 15 rounds were held in the morning and 15 in the afternoon including both fixed and unattached rounds. There was a strong emphasis both on hand-foot techniques and clinching, so that the fighters could get a feel for the whole of muaythai.

You could also learn from the Hungarian muaythai national team

Most Thai boxing clubs in Hungary came to the event, but not only their competitors, but also with their hobbyists and beginners. Just as the training camp was not limited by skill, gender or age, the big sparring party was also attended by older and younger people, boys, girls, hobbyists and higher level competitors. The fighters also had the chance to test themselves against members of the Hungarian national muaythai team, from whom they learned a lot during the event according to the testimonies.

The beginner fighters didn’t have to worry, because the day was without stakes, so everyone tried to fight to the level of their partner. It was a great opportunity to prepare for competition, as everyone was able to fight against unknown opponents, or even just to put in one last effort to close the camp. “The big sparring party is not a competition, here everyone was brought together by the love of muaythai and the desire to move” – said Hungarian Thai box legend István Kurdy Senior.

Before, between and after the two sparring sessions the fighters could relax on the shores of Lake Balaton, or just enjoy the time to meet other members of the association and exchange a few words with old acquaintances.