Sport-travel

Archive for the ‘sport-travel’ Category

The Art of Fighting in Southeast Asia

Nov 9th, 2009 by Exotissimo | Comments: 0

Fans of competitive in-ring fighting will be thrilled when visiting Southeast Asia. The region boasts some of the most spectacular martial arts and you can also learn how to properly utilize the techniques or watch competitive boxing during your visit.

The boxing codes from Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos utilizes every part of the body. All of these martial arts are pretty similar and evolved from the same martial arts tree with each country calling it differently. Muay Thai (Thailand), Pradal Serey (Cambodia) and Muay Laos (Laos) uses eight limbs to attack opponents. Points of attacks include fists, elbows, knees and shins which provide different striking options for the boxer as opposed to two limbs (hands) in traditional boxing. Lethwei would be an exception to its martial arts cousins because head-butts are allowed, thus sometimes being referred to the art of nine limbs.

Vietnam has developed many martial arts styles with Viet Vo Dao being the main philosophy behind all these styles. Two of these styles are Vovinam and Qwan Ki Do. Both styles may or may not incorporate a weapon. Qwan Ki Do utilizes hand, foot and jumping techniques while Vovinam adds elbow, levering and wrestling techniques.

Watching a live Southeast Asian martial arts match is a must for fight fans who are planning to come to the region. You can also learn a little bit about the sport by visiting a gym and training with the masters and students in them. You can visit our multi-country tour collection and see the culture and vibrant life the region has to offer or contact Exotissimo to enquire about including boxing matches or gym training to your itinerary.

trhai-boxing-min

Filed under: Southeast Asia travel, sport-travel

Acrobatic Kick Volleyball

Oct 30th, 2009 by Exotissimo | Comments: 0

When you come to Southeast Asia, you may notice a group of young boys kicking around a rattan ball. Some may just be casually passing the ball to each other while preventing the ball from hitting the ground. Others may be engaged in competitive action complete with emotion and acrobatics.

This game is called sepak takraw. The objective of the game is similar to volleyball, but with a couple major differences. The ball is made of rattan and any part of the body can be used to move the ball around except the hands and arms. These exceptions alone can make watching sepak takraw a very exciting experience. These guys will expertly keep the ball in the air and acrobatically flip their bodies midair when going for the kill. If there is a sport that combines power, skill, balance and acrobatics, sepak takraw must surely be it.

The sport is also growing outside of the region. Countries in Asia, Europe, and North America are starting to embrace the game and have founded their own national associations and teams. The King’s Cup in Thailand brings in the top international teams to determine the world champion.

The sport is very popular in many countries in the region such as Laos, Vietnam and Thailand. You can always stop and admire the skill these sepak takraw players are displaying when you walk by them in the streets. Who knows, they may even invite you to play with them. Collegiate and professional leagues are competed in these countries as well, so you can always check out Exotissimo’s multi-country tours and see the competition while also taking time to experience the region.

Rattan balls used for sepak takraw.

Filed under: Southeast Asia travel, sport-travel

The 25th SEA Games in Vientiane, Laos

Oct 26th, 2009 by Exotissimo | Comments: 0

The Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) is a biennial multi-sporting event, similar to the Asian Games or Pan-Am Games, contested between all countries in Southeast Asia. The International Olympic Council (IOC) and the Olympic Council of Asia supervises the event.

The SEA Games is an excellent venue for sports fans and cultural enthusiasts to see sports that are unique to the region. You will see pétanque, a favorite Lao pastime only in the SEA Games. Sepak Takraw, a very athletic foot volleyball game is also unique to the region and the event. You will also get to see Muay Laos, a martial art that includes attacks from knees, elbows, fists and kicks which is similar to Muay Thai at this year’s games.

The 25^th SEA Games in Laos will be hosted by the country’s capital city, Vientiane. The opening ceremony will take place on December 9^th with a closing ceremony to complete the event taking place on December 18^th. A total of 28 sporting disciplines will be contested, with bronze medals awarded for third place, silver medals for second and gold for the champion in each sport, all cumulating to each country’s medals and gold tallies.

Check out Exotissimo’s Laos tour section for an opportunity to visit the country in the midst of the games. The world will be keeping an eye on Laos during December and you can always contact Exotissimo to add the SEA Games to your travel itinerary. Please book in advance. Accommodation can be very difficult to find right before and during the games, as athletes, delegates and fans will surely occupy the country’s hotels.

The event was founded in 1958 with the first games being held in Bangkok, Thailand in 1959. The purpose was to enhance cooperation, understanding and relations among countries in the region. There were six founding member countries before the start of the first event, with the list expanding over time to the current number of 11 members.