Lethwei

The sport of Lethwei (Burmese boxing) is perhaps the one style of fighting that is more brutal than even the Thai form of boxing, and it is still ‘played’ today. Popular in poorer farming areas, Burmese boxing is a very loosely regulated sport that is poorly administered. There are no weight categories and contestants are divided only according to age and experience (youth, novice, intermediate and professional). When a Burmese boxer has accumulated enough wins he advances to the next category. A win is determined at the end of a fourth, untimed round. If one contestant is cut about the face or head, gives up or is knocked out then he loses. The prior three rounds are similarly untimed and continue until one or the other is struck so hard as to be visibly shocked, or else an effective grappling technique is applied. Kicks to the groin, the area just below the navel, hair pulling and scratching, are all banned. Headbutting on the other hand is perfectly acceptable (the fight above ends with a TKO by headbutt) and, despite being described as a type of boxing, it is permissible to use throws, the successful execution of which is enhanced by the contestants not wearing gloves but simply having their hands wrapped.

Burmese martial arts were originally influenced by Indian arts, transposed by Buddhist monks in the main, then by travelers from China. Early styles were affected further, first through occupation by the Mongols and then by almost three hundred years of intermittent warfare with Thailand up until the British takeover in 1885. A popular style called Bando has perhaps remained closest to early exposure to Indian and Chinese arts, stressing a softer, non-confrontational approach where defensive techniques and tactics are taught first. Lethwei on the other hand is geared to taking the offense and defeating an opponent before any attack can be launched.

Training in Lethwei

Training includes solo shadow boxing and conditioning supplemented with sparring practice to develop skills in distancing and timing. Equipment associated with both Western boxing and Thai boxing, such as punch bags and focus mitts are not used by Burmese boxers. Practice is geared towards effectiveness in a fight against a similarly trained opponent and any mental or spiritual concerns are extraneous to this goal. The art is not pursued as a way of self-cultivation.

An expert Burmese boxer uses an array of powerful hand, foot and elbow techniques to secure victory by knocking an opponent unconscious. When the distance is closed he possesses a range of grappling and throwing skills but does not excel in groundwork. In a match a thrown opponent may not be kicked while on the ground, but in life-or-death combat a Burmese boxer would not hesitate to do so. This form of boxing lacks the subtlety of pressure point strikes or spectacular flying kicks but is devastatingly effective.