Women have participated in kickboxing since the 1960s in Thailand.[1] But there has been a superstition and prejudice women have often being prevented from participating in the major tournaments in Thailand.[2][3][4][5]
The World’s Muay Thai Angels is one of the first organisations to be a place for women to participate in and the first tournament was won by Chommanee Sor Taehiran.[6][7]
Women's kickboxing in Australia has a small but devoted following. In the 1970s women in the United States took up kickboxing as they were prevented from taking part in women's boxing.[8] In the UK kickboxing has a growing following according to the WMC.[9]
In May 2016 the kickboxing organisation Glory announced the creation of a women's division built around Tiffany van Soest.[10]
^Gampell, Jennifer (July 14–16, 2000). "Weekend Journal: Thailand's Boxing Babes- Women Make Their Way Back into the Ring". The Asian Wall Street Journal.