Lethwei (or Burmese boxing): one of the most brutal martial arts in the world

Qu’est-ce que le lethwei ?

Lethwei, or Burmese boxing, is the art of 9 limbs. All parts of the body are used as weapons: fists, legs, elbows, knees and head. Practiced without gloves, boxers use bands to protect their hands and feet. This boxing is dangerous and brutal.

The origins of Burmese boxing

Lethwei, also called bama lethwei, is a martial art which finds its origin on the battlefield At Myanmar (formerly Burma). Indeed, over the centuries, the country has faced numerous internal and border wars. Burmese warriors then developed a method of hand-to-hand combat which allows them to continue fighting even when they find themselves unarmed against the enemy. 

The discipline became popular 11th century with the warrior king Anawratha. The fights are supervised by 2 referees and they take place in circles, on clay. Boxers, bare feet and hands, confront each other without rules. Since no blow is prohibited, the fights are then extremely violent and long. To be declared the winner, a fighter must put his opponent KO Or unable to fight.

The way of confronting each other is also particular. Unlike more eastern boxes, the fighters here are inspired by animal behavior. 

Over time, Burmese boxing became very popular within the country. The different princes of the Burmese empires and the people like to practice it or watch the fights.

The evolution of lethwei

In 1952, the boxer Kyar Ba Nyein, said Tiger, represents Burma at the Olympic Games. Unfortunately, he lost in the first round against a Polish boxer. 

Two years later, however, he joined the Myanmar government sports council. He then aims to revive the practice of lethwei. The discipline has indeed lost its luster and its reputation has been tarnished among the Burmese world and internationally.

For modernize sport, it then introduces rules which are closer to the systems already in place for the other boxes in the world. These new rules form the basis of today's lethwei.

From now on, the fights take place in 5 rounds in Burmese boxing 3 minutes. Between rounds, boxers have a 2-minute break. 

According to traditional rules, there is no rating system. A boxer must knock out his opponent to win. And again, that's not exactly true!

When a fighter is knocked out, he actually has 2 minutes to recover strength in his corner of the ring. Then, the fight resumes to complete the 5 rounds.

If at the end of these 5 rounds, both boxers are still standing, the match is simply declared. null.

In 1996, the 2 minutes of time-out used in the event of an injury were deleted. Of the judges are also added to the ringside. This new regulation makes it possible to avoid having draws. A winner is thus constantly chosen at the end of a fight.

The culture around Burmese boxing

Although it is extremely violent as a discipline, lethwei is taught to Burmese children from the age of 6-7. Seen from abroad, the culture of this sport can therefore scandalize more than one person.

However, Burmese boxing serves a important family base. It's a tradition which is transmitted between a father and his son. It allows young people to show both their strength and their courage. It's a ritual by which they show that they become men.

The lethwei also participates in the creation of a valuable social base in a country where people often live in the poverty. The instructors will take on the role of educator, supervisor and trainer for the combatants. From a very young age, boxers learn themutual aid, THE respect and thehumility. 

The training camps then become a second family for all these fighters. 

On a national scale, lethwei takes on an even greater dimension symbolic. She is considered a true national identity which has persisted despite the numerous conflicts that Myanmar has suffered over time.

Authorized techniques

Burmese boxing consists of a set of traditional techniques Burmese warriors. 

Three main elements must be taken into account:

1. Weapons used: head, fists, elbows, knees and feet
2. The desired objective: touch the opponent
3. Combat distances: the clinch (grabs and throws), the medium distance (knee strikes, fists and elbows) and the long distance (mainly kicks)

How to practice lethwei in France?

As a rule, fighters follow the traditional rules during matches. However, in France, the federation has regulated the discipline more harshly in order to better supervise it. Headbutts are for example prohibited in French regulations.

Authorized target zones

Combat techniques can be used to attack:

• there head : front, side, forehead, top of the head
• THE torso : front and side above the waist
• THE legs : from the foot to the top of the thigh
• THE arm : from the biceps/triceps, to the hands

Prohibited techniques

In competitions on French territory, boxers cannot:

• head butt
• tackle sensitive parts of the body: eyes, throat, neck, back of the head, spine, private parts, joints, pelvis and chest in women
• hit open hands 
• make progress head forward
• hit an opponent on the ground or when he gets up
• se to drop on his opponent when he is on the ground

Le déroulement d’un combat

The meetings always take place on rings regulated. 

The competitions are divided into 2 categories: assaults and the fights.

In the assaults, out of combat is prohibited and keys are controlled.

Conversely, in the fights, practitioners can go out of combat and their touches are no longer retained. They are from full contact.  

Depending on the categories and types of competition, the fights last between 2 to 3 rounds with 2 to 3 minutes rest between.

If the two opponents can still fight at the end of the 5 rounds of the fight, it is the system of judges' scoring which will help determine the winner. At the end of each round, they awarded points to each fighter. The referee just has to collect them to give the final decision of the match.

Traditions before the fight

Before the meetings, Burmese traditions must be respected by combatants. 

The arrival of the boxers takes place on a traditional music Burmese. 

Each in turn, they then carry out the Lethwei Yé, a traditional warrior dance. With this parade, the fighters demonstrate their skill and their courage. 

The Lethwei Yé ends with a traditional gesture, the lekkha moun. On one leg and arms crossed, this position is inspired by the wing movement of birds of prey, like the eagle, when they fly And hunt.

 It allows the fighter who performs it to challenge your opponent with courage And respect. It is also a way for the boxer to announce to his opponent that he is ready to fight.

The divisions of lethwei in France

On French territory, fighters must be at least 18 years old to participate in competitions. 

The lethwei is divided into 5 divisions: 

• JD class – “junior-beginner”: 0 to 5 attacks
• class JA – “advanced junior”: more than 5 fights (and assaults)
• class B – “senior-hopeful”: 5 to 15 fights won
• class A – “senior-elite”: more than 15 fights won
• pro class: at an international level

Practitioners cannot change their practice level during the season. If all the prerequisites are met, they must wait for the next season to compete in the higher class.

Weight and age categories

At the men, the categories "junior" And "senior” are divided as follows: 

• less than 55 kg
• less than 60 kg
• less than 63.5 kg
• less than 67 kg
• less than 71 kg
• less than 75 kg
• less than 80 kg
• less than 80 kg
• less than 91 kg
• more than 91 kg

For categories female « junior » et “senior”, the divisions are: 

• less than 45 kg
• less than 50 kg
• less than 55 kg
• less than 60 kg
• less than 65 kg
• more than 66 kg

For both men and women, 3 age categories are used:

• THE juniors : 16 and 17 years old
• THE seniors : from 18 to 40 years old
• THE veterans : from 41 to 50 years old

Age upgrades are prohibited.

What equipment for Burmese boxing? 

As with all combat sports, having good equipment is essential to practice and fight safely. We have listed all the elements required for lethwei.

Competitors' outfit

During official meetings, boxers (Lethwei doo or Thu) must wear very basic clothing: 

• A shorts boxing
• A square of fabric red or blue depending on the corner where he fights

Boxer protections

To protect yourself, the list of equipment to wear is however more complete:

• A helmet of fight
• A chestplate for the JD class (junior-beginner) with the club t-shirt underneath
• of the shin/foot guards bound, sock type
• a shell for private parts
• A chest protector for female fighters
• of the elbow pads And knee pads
• of the boxing gloves

To conclude

Lethwei, or Burmese boxing, is a discipline very dangerous. Many consider that the muay thai or thai boxing is the deadliest martial art, but in reality, Burmese boxing is even more brutal. 

Here are the most important points to remember about lethwei:

• In the discipline, the whole body can be used as a weapon: head, fists, legs, elbows, knees 
• Burmese boxing is a self defense art which allows you to fight without weapon
• Originally practiced bare hands and feet, some national federations now require the wearing gloves and of protections for a fight
• There modernization de ce sport a notamment été permise avec l’ajout d’un rating system qui permet d’assurer un vainqueur à chaque combat
• There violence of this art limits its internationalization

The Boxing Circle: to box without hurting yourself

You want to get started combat sports but you prefer not to come out with lots of bruises during your workouts? We have the boxing studio you need!

At the Circle, on vous propose de pratiquer une modernisation de la boxe à mains nues : la boxe anglaise ! Ici, on n’utilise que les poings, et ils sont bien protégés dans des gants de boxe !

During 50 minutes, you will be able to de-stress and hit with all your might on our aqua-bags. No experience necessary to let off steam without the fuss. 

You will alternate between traditional boxing And muscle strengthening for a workout complete And immersive. 

In a diving room in the dark, let yourself be guided by the advice of our coaches and give everything on our playlists made in Le Cercle.

We're waiting for you in the Tiger round!