The online tournament evolved from the "#MuaythaiConnects" campaign, launched on social media in May in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

It has given people a chance to practice the sport and taste competition despite a host of traditional events, including the Youth World Championships, having to be called off because of the global health crisis. 

More than 30,000 athletes representing 100 countries took part, from qualifying through to finals, the IFMA reported.

The World Virtual Championships were held across four categories - wai kru, shadow boxing, max fit and aero fit.

Many of the winning performances are now available to view on the IFMA YouTube channel.

Forty-eight youngsters who made it to the finals in the last two categories are set to represent Muaythai later this month at the United Through Sports (UTS) World Youth Festival, where they will take on athletes from other sports.

"This is an important event to engage all our youth and also to continue the close cooperation we have within the Olympic family as an IOC [International Olympic Committee]-recognised organisation," IFMA President Sakchye Tapsuwan said.

"The numbers for this year’s competition have been much higher than we normally experience when participants need to physically travel to the host country of the event. 

"We consider this a big success in engaging many more youth around the world, taking the COVID-19 crisis as an opportunity to restructure our event format to create wider engagement - something we will now analyse for the future of the IFMA calendar to ensure such an event will take place each year.

"Congratulations to all the winners of the IFMA Virtual Championships. 

"IFMA will continue to stand United Through Sports in the One Spirit One Heart movement for the upcoming UTS festival."