Khao
เข่า
Thai for knee and a knee strike. In muay thai, knees are among the main weapons, especially in the clinch.
Quick Facts
Definition
Khao (เข่า) means knee. In muay thai it refers to knee strikes that target the thighs, ribs, abdomen and head. They are used most often in the clinch, where the fighter holds the opponent by the neck, but also in a jump. Muay thai distinguishes a number of knees, for example khao trong (straight knee), khao khong (curved knee) or khao loi (jumping knee). A fighter who specializes in knees is called muay khao.
Relations to other terms
Equivalent in another art
See also
Close-range standing fight in which opponents hold each other by the neck, arms or torso. In muay thai and MMA it is used for knee strikes and takedowns.
Muay khaoมวยเข่าA muay thai fighter type who wins with knees and the clinch. He keeps pushing, closes the distance and attacks the torso with knees in the clinch.