King's Cup

Every year, the King’s Cup is held in Bangkok in honour of the King of Thailand, drawing Muay Thai fighters from around the world. In Thailand, Muay Thai is the national sport and a deep part of the culture: it is everywhere, in packed stadiums, in neighbourhood gyms, on television every weekend. For Thai fighters, the tournament is a source of income and prestige. For fighters from the West, it is a place to prove themselves; those who succeed here go home with a name. I spent a month in the camps where fighters prepared for the tournament, training alongside them, following their daily lives, and photographing the bouts themselves.