Lethwei

Lethwei
လက်ဝှေ့
Also known as Burmese Bareknuckle Boxing, Myanmar Traditional Boxing, Bando Kickboxing, The Art of 9 limbs
Focus Striking
Hardness Full-contact
Country of origin Myanmar Myanmar
Famous practitioners Kyar Ba Nyein, Dave Leduc, Too Too, Nilar Win, Tun Tun Min, Tway Ma Shaung, Lone Chaw, Soe Lin Oo, U Bo Sein, Shwe Du Won, Wan Chine, Phyan Thwe, Saw Shark, Saw Gaw Mu Doe

Lethwei (Burmese: လက်ဝှေ့; IPA: [lɛʔ.ʍḛ]) or Burmese bareknuckle boxing is a full contact combat sport from Myanmar that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques.[1] Lethwei is considered to be one of the most aggressive and brutal martial arts in the world, because the fighters fight bareknuckle with only the use tape and gauze on their hands.[2] The use of fists, elbows, knees, feet but more surprisingly, the head makes it a very unusual martial art. Although disallowed in many combat sports, in Lethwei, the use of headbutt is encouraged. This is the reason it also known as "The Art of 9 limbs".[3][4]

It is similar to related styles in other parts of the Indian cultural sphere, namely Muay Thai from Thailand, Pradal Serey from Cambodia, Muay Lao from Laos, Tomoi from Malaysia and Musti-yuddha from India.[5]

History

In ancient times, matches were held for entertainment and were popular with every strata of society. Participation was opened to any male, whether king or commoner. At that time, matches took place in sandpits instead of rings.[6] Boxers fought without protective equipment, only wrapping their hands in hemp or gauze. There were no draws and no point system—the fight went on until one of the participants was knocked out or could no longer continue. Back then, Burmese boxing champions would enter the ring and call for open challenges.[7]

Modernization

Establishing rules and regulations

Kyar Ba Nyein, who participated in boxing at the 1952 Summer Olympics, pioneered modern Lethwei by setting in place modern rules and regulations.[8] He travelled around Myanmar, especially the Mon and Karen states, where many of the villagers were still actively practicing Lethwei. Kyar Ba Nyein brought them back to Mandalay and Yangon and, after training with them, encouraged them to compete in matches.[9]

The Myanmar government made some organizational changes to make Burmese boxing more marketable internationally.[10][11][12][13]

In 2016, a new promotion called World Lethwei Championship launched using a modified rule-set. Unlike traditional lethwei events, judges determine a winner if the fight ends without a knockout. There are also no injury time outs.

Attracting foreign fighters

The first international Lethwei event was held in June 2001, when three kickboxers from the USA competed against lethwei practitioners. They were Shannon Ritch, Albert Ramirez and Doug Evans. All three Americans were knocked out in the first round.

From 10 to 11 July 2004, the second event headlining foreigners took place with four Japanese fighters fighting against Burmese boxers. They were Akitoshi Tamura, Yoshitaro Niimi, Takeharu Yamamoto and Naruji Wakasugi. MMA fighter Tamura, knocked out Aya Bo Sein in the second round and became the first foreigner to beat a lethwei practitioner in an official match.

On 16 December 2016, the rematch of Dave Leduc and Tun Tun Min took place at the Air KBZ Aung Lan Championship in Yangon, Myanmar. The two previously fought in October to an explosive draw, but the rematch was sweetened by an added bonus: ownership of the Lethwei Open Weight World Championship Belt. Leduc became the first non-Burmese fighter to win the Lethwei world title by defeating Tun Tun Min in the second round as he could not continue the fight due to his injured knee.[14][15][16] Following his win, Leduc said in an interview ″I have so much vision for this sport. I see Lethwei doing the same for Myanmar as what Muay Thai has done for Thailand.”[17]

On April 18, 2017, for his second title defense,[18] Dave Leduc faced Turkish Australian fighter Adem Yilmaz in Tokyo, Japan in traditional Lethwei rules.[19][17][20]

This match was the first Lethwei World Title fight headlining two non-burmese in the sport's history. For the occasion, the Ambassador of Myanmar to Japan was present at the event held in the Korakuen Hall.[21]

Techniques

Aside from punches, kicks, elbows and knee attacks, Burmese fighters also make use of head-butts, raking knuckle strikes and take downs.

Traditional gesture

Lekkha Moun

Dave Leduc challenging his opponent with the lekkha Moun in a Lethwei fight in Tokyo, Japan.

The lekkha moun is the traditional gesture performed by Lethwei fighters to challenge their opponent with courage and respect. The lekkha moun is done by clapping 3 times with right palm to the triangle shaped hole formed while bending the left arm. The clapping hand must be in form of a cup, while the left hand must be placed under the right armpit. The lekkha moun is done at the beginning of the lethwei yay and can also be done while fighting.

This invitation to fight is inspired from the birds of prey, like the eagle, as they flap their wings when flying and hunting.

Lethwei Yay

The lethwei yay could be described as a fight dance. It is done before the fight and as a victory dance after the fight. The lekkha moun is usually confused with the lethwei yay, but the lekkha moun is performed alongside with lethwei yay.

Rules

If a knockout occurs, the fighter is revived and has the option of continuing the bout.[22] The only win by knockout, there are no point system. If neither fighter gets by knockout then the fight is declared a draw.[23]

Traditional matches include Flagship Tournament, which are still fought throughout Myanmar, especially during holidays or celebration festivals like Thingyan.[24][25][23]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Kyaw Zin Hlaing (1 September 2015). "Easy win for Lethwei fighters". Myanmar Times.
  2. ↑ Nomad, Team (12 August 2016). "Dave Leduc To Fight In The Bloodiest And Most Brutal Form Of Striking Martial Art, Lethwei". Team Nomad.
  3. ↑ Goyder, James (22 July 2015). "Inside a Burmese Lethwei Gym". Fightland Blog (Vice).
  4. ↑ "Myanmese women show fighting spirit by embracing brutal martial art of Lethwei". South China Morning Post. 19 August 2015.
  5. ↑ https://books.google.com.au/books/about/Combat_Sports.html?id=vb29ngEACAAJ&redir_esc=y
  6. ↑ Giordano, Vincent. "Born Warriors: Fighting for Survival". 15 July 2015.
  7. ↑ Journal of the Royal Society of Arts, Volume 41. G. Bell and Sons. 1893. p. 151. At a Burmese boxing match a champion will jump into the ring and dance about, smacking his breast and arms and cracking his fingers, challenging all comers.
  8. ↑ "Kyar ba nyein". Scribd.com. Retrieved 2015-03-04.
  9. ↑ Giordano, Vincent. "Born Warriors Redux: A New Era Begins for an Ancient Sport". Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  10. ↑ Goyder, James (17 December 2014). "The Burmese Kickboxing Style of Lethwei Expands Into Singapore". Vice Fightland).
  11. ↑ Giordano, Vincent (13 August 2015). "Burmese Lethwei: Bare Knuckle Revival".
  12. ↑ Calderon, Justin (23 September 2014). "Punches, headbutts, knockouts: Asia's 'new' martial arts sensation". CNN.
  13. ↑ Olavarria, Pedro (2 December 2014). "Bando: The style of Burmese Martial Arts". Vice Fightland.
  14. ↑ Kyaw Zin Hlaing (13 December 2016). "Myanmar's lethwei goliath toppled by Canadian 'Dave'". Myanmar Times.
  15. ↑ "デーブ・レダックチャンピオン Dave Leduc Champion". The Weekly Fight Japan. 12 December 2016.
  16. ↑ Anthony Da Silva-Casimiro (20 December 2016). "Tout sauf de la chance pour Dave Leduc". La Revue.
  17. 1 2 Eaton, Matt (18 April 2017). "Embracing tradition: The rise of LethweiI". The Fight Nation.
  18. ↑ "Weigh ins for Lethwei in Japan 3 GRIT - 明日開催！第3回日本ラウェイ大会『ラウェイinジャパン 3 ～GRIT～』後楽園ホール大会！計量と公開記者会見終了". The Weekly Fight. 17 April 2017.
  19. ↑ "4・18『Lethwei in Japan 3 ～GRIT～』全対戦7カード発表！ミャンマーvs.日本（4対4）vs.USA（2対2）にカナダの現ラウェイ王者が再参戦！相手は第1回大会参戦のオーストラリア選手！ – 週刊ファイト". The Weekly Fight. 3 March 2017.
  20. ↑ Marcil, Patrick (12 April 2017). "Gatineau Fight Team: Avril en action!". Gatineau Martial Arts.
  21. ↑ "Lethwei in Japan 3 GRIT" [Lethwei in Japan 3 GRIT is the third tournament is Japan]. Myanma Allin Daily (in Burmese). 21 April 2017.
  22. ↑ Looi, Florence (8 September 2015). "Myanmar's Lethwei fighters bare their knuckles". Al Jazeera.
  23. 1 2 Xegarra, Guillermo. "Born Warriors: Documentarian Vincent Giordano Interview Part 2".
  24. ↑ Giordano, Vincent. "Burmese Lethwei: The Tradition of Child Fighters". Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  25. ↑ "Women join in Myanmar's ferocious kickboxing". Bangkok Post. 1 April 2016.

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