ALAMO – The Muay Thai Alliance of Texas (MTAT) and the United States Muaythai Federation (USMF), announced that Roel Alvarado, 10th grade student at PSJA Memorial High School, has earned a place on the United States National Team (Team USA) that will compete at the International Federation of Muay Thai Amateur (IFMA) World Championships in Bangkok, Thailand in honor and in celebration of H.M. the King of Thailand’s Birthday on December 5.
IFMA, in conjunction with the World Muay Thai Council (WMC) is the official World governing body for Muay Thai at the amateur level recognized by the Kingdom of Thailand. The tournament will be held from November 27 to December 5 with the Finals to be held at Sanam Luang (“Field of Kings”) on the King’s Birthday directly across from the Grand Palace.
At this time, the 15-year-old of San Juan, is the first of two youth athletes selected from Texas and the first from the Rio Grande Valley selected to represent Team USA in Thailand.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recently has acknowledged Muay Thai and is close to including it in the Olympic Games–so until it does, Alvarado’s appointment to Team USA is comparable and equivalent to being appointed to the Olympic team of other sports. Additionally, the IOC will be in attendance of this event.
Good Job Roel! I hope to see you in the Olympics one day soon.