Lethwei
 |
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| Also known as | Burmese Boxing |
|---|---|
| Focus | Striking |
| Hardness | Full-contact |
| Country of origin |
 Myanmar
|
| Famous practitioners | Kyar Ba Nyein, Lone Chaw, Nilar Win, Phyan Thwe, Saw Shark, Soe Lin Oo, Too Too, Tun Tun Min, Tway Ma Shaung, U Bo Sein, U Pyi Kyaw, Dave Leduc |
| Olympic sport | No |
Lethwei (Burmese: လက်ဝှေ့; IPA: [lɛʔ.ʍḛ]) is an unarmed Burmese martial art. 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.
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. 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.
Kyar Ba Nyein, who participated in boxing at the 1952 Summer Olympics, pioneered modern lethwei by setting in place modern rules and regulations. He travelled around Myanmar, especially the Mon and Karen states, where many of the villagers still actively practiced Lethwei. Kyar Ba Nyein brought them back to Mandalay and Rangoon and, after training with them, encouraged them to compete in the matches he organized.
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Wikipedia