LETHWEI AMERICA
History of Lethwei In America
In the early 19060s, Dr. Maung Gyi, introduced the Hanthawaddy Burmese Bando Boxing developed by his father, U Ba Than Gyi, to the United States. During that time, Dr. Gyi formed the American Bando Association (ABA) whose mission was to promote the Hanthawaddy Bando system.1,2,3,4
During this time period, Dr. Gyi revised the rules of his father’s Hanthawaddy Burmese Bando Boxing further limiting the allowable techniques and tactics. The new modified rules allowed for punching, kicking above the waist and to the legs, as well as knees from the outside standup position. All other techniques and tactics of traditional Lethwei were prohibited. Hanthawaddy Burmese Bando Boxing competitions used much of the same equipment and a similar scoring system to that used in amateur Western boxing. These modifications were introduced with the intent of making it safer and more appealing to the American public. Further adding to the “westernization” of Hanthawaddy Burmese Boxing the traditions associated with Lethwei were not included in its practice or competitions.
Participation in the Hanthawaddy Burmese Bando Boxing grew during the 70s and 80s. In the early-to-mid-1990s out of a fear of injury and potential litigation, Dr. Gyi and the ABA further modified the rules of Hanthawaddy Burmese Boxing, disallowing the use of stand-up knees. This prohibition westernized Hanthawaddy Burmese Boxing even further, bringing it in line with the rules of American and International Kickboxing that was common in the United States. It also movedHanthawddy Burmese Boxing even farther away from the traditional Lethwei roots. American Kickboxing Rules, previously called Professional Karate Association (PKA) rules, allows for punching and kicking above the waist. International kickboxing rules, previously called the World Karate Association (WKA) rules adds to the PKA rules by allowing kicks to the legs. Unlike Lethwei, both PKA and WKA rules require the use of gloves and neither allow headbutts, elbows, knees, throws, or techniques in the clinch.5,6
In the mid-to-late 1990s, participation in the Hanthawaddy Bando system and Hanthawaddy Burmese Bando Boxing began to see a decline. It was also during this time that an increase in interest and participation in harder, more physically rugged combat sports such as MuayThai, Mixed Martial Arts, and Brazilian Jujitsu was occurring in the United States and globally. While the trend occurring nationally was on more challenging training and competitions, the focus within the American Bando Association was shifting to a greater focus on more traditional practices of Hanthawaddy Bando and away from Hanthawaddy Burmese Bando Boxing.5,7,8
In recent years, the trend within the ABA on even more traditional Myanmar martial arts practices has resulted in virtual elimination of any form of kickboxing training within the ABA. Examination of the ABA’s website currently shows only cursory reference to Hanthawaddy Burmese Bando Boxing, or kickboxing of any type.7,8
In a recent document published by Dr. Maung Gyi and the ABA titled, “The New Chapter of The American Bando Association”, make the following statement that is reflective of the ABA’s changing organizational philosophy away from Hanthawaddy Burmese Bando Boxing and towards a focus on the practice of empty-hand and weapons forms, Gurkha role play/reenactment, and yoga/qigong-like exercises:
“During the last few years, because of the serious decline in participation in the Annual Bando Kick-Boxing and Bando Free-Fighting Tournaments…the American Bando Association will focus on the preservation of the 9 Bando Animals, Bando Weapons Systems and Bando Healing Arts Systems…”6
To date, Lethwei is not as well as known as many other forms of kickboxing in the United States. Technologies such as websites, social media, and online streaming media sites have provided some access to Lethwei. Even with the availability of these informational resources, the techniques, training methods, strategies, and traditions of Lethwei remain relatively unknown to most Americans.5
In addition to the Hanthawaddy Burmese Bando Boxing introduced to the United States, other modified Lethwei practices were disseminated in Europe. A similar revised form was introduced to England in the early 1960s by U Hla Win, who emigrated from Myanmar to England and began teaching Bando and Lethwei in the Liverpool area. Saya U Hla Win’s modifications to Lethwei were similar to those by Dr. Gyi, included the use of headgear and gloves and eliminated the practice of head-butting. Grandmaster Jonathan Collins, an American student of Dr Maung Gyi, introduced Hanthawaddy Burmese Bando Boxing to France, Switzerland and Spain in 1986.9,10
Lethwei distinguishes itself from other forms of southeast Asian kickboxing in that it includes not only kicking, kneeing, punching, and elbowing techniques, but head-butting, trapping, throwing and takedowns as well. To honor and support traditional Lethwei as practiced in Myanmar today, it would is essential for a program to include and emphasize all its technical, tactical, strategic, and cultural components. Exclusion of those foundational elements, as was the case with the modified form of Hanthawaddy Burmese Bando Boxing in the U.S., does not accurately represent either combat sport or martial art that is Lethwei.5
Lethwei’s traditional, bare-fisted, head butting, virtually anything-goes competitions are unlikely to be sanctioned in the United States in the near future. However, the flexibility of Lethwei offers a number of benefits beyond just competition. In addition to the competitive or sporting aspect, Lethwei also offers personal defense and fitness development opportunities. Lethwei not only teaches timing, distance, and movement but also the ability to absorb and deliver punishment.
The goal in Lethwei is not just winning but also how to fight hard and learn lessons of survival. These facets of Lethwei practice go well beyond sport preparation. It also encompasses a rich traditional culture and value system. Ultimately, the goal of Lethwei training is to prepare one to absorb the difficulties in life and better prepare one to respond appropriately and effectively to them.11
Lethwei’s less restrictive techniques and strategies also provide an effective method of self-defense training. Lethwei is arguably more applicable to street defense and MMA cage fighting than Muay Thai, American Kickboxing, Khun Khmer, and other kickboxing approaches. Learning to fight bare-fisted with techniques that include all possible anatomical weapons and virtually unrestricted fighting tactics provides a more complete approach to self-defense preparation. In addition to the competitive, psychological, and self-defense benefits, Lethwei’s emphasis on conditioning provides an excellent method for high-level of fitness development. Lethwei training is highly adaptable to individual and group fitness programs and can be performed at both high intensity and low intensities.12
References
1 American Bando Association. (2018). About Sayaji U Ba Than Gyi. https://americanbandoassociation.com/about-us/history/about-sayaji-u-ba-than-gyi/
2 Duff, 20xx. History of Bando. (http://www.jkd.gr/bando.html; Scribd.com)
3 Flynn, S. M. (Oct. 1987). Bando Pioneer Protecting Art’s Dignity. Inside Kung Fu
4 Martin, Michael. (2001). A Glimpse into the Traditional Martial Arts in Burma. The Journal of Burma Studies. Vol. 6
5 International Kickboxing Federation (2018). Rules Regarding Event Rule Styles. (http://www.ikfkickboxing.com/Rules.htm)
6 Courderette, M. (2017). Lethwei: Myanmar Traditional Boxing. Ginger Editions Publisher
7 Wikipedia. (2017). Bando. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bando
8 7 Gyi, M. (2017). The New Chapter of The American Bando Association. American Bando Association.