Hey, Phil.
I was wondering if you could provide some expertise in distinguishing Lethwei and Bando. Training, rules, etc.
Thanks in advance.
The burmese words usually used in the arts for kickboxing
Bando is a catch all phrase for martial arts in Burma. It seems to be a term I have only really seen used by the ethnic Burmans. I have never really paid much attention to what the ABA under Dr. Gyi does other than it is supposed to be a more eclectic style with various outside influences. ( this is not from experiance just what I have read and been told by those that practice it)
Lethwei or Myanma Yuya Louvi or Traditional Burmese Boxing or Myanma Traditional Boxing is practiced by some as a style onto itself and by others as part of a parent art. My experiance is in the Chingpaw/Naga varient Htwi hkyen. It was practiced as a way to prepare for the attributes needed in battle. Good lethwei will always feel as if the guy you are fighting is trying to kill you not setting you up for something. One of the really unique aspects of it is the punching. You are actually launching your body with the punches as it is bare knuckle and evrything is done to go for the KO.
The one event Thai fighters that fought in a big event in Burma had the following results I am trying to get info on the Thai fighter the names may have been butchered
--Ah Mun Heing (BB) vs. Ce Kay (MT) Draw
----Thu Rya Year Aung (BB) vs Apone (MT) KO win Thu Rya Year Aung
--- Down Nyo Lay (BB) vs. Aphut (MT) KO win for Down Nyo Lay
------- Sau The Myo (BB) vs. Eich Phun (MT) KO win for Sau The Myo
------Pashoo Lay (BB) vs Nunt Khun Lake (MT) KO win for Pashoo Lay
---- Shwe Kya Pyu (BB) vs. Dee Ga Lone (MT) KO win Shwe Kya Pyu
Sau Wan Chine (BB) vs. Sone Sut (MT) Ko win Sau Wan Chine
Awesome results by the Burmese! Thanks Phil.
TTT for more info.
great thread
The Burmese did very well in the recent Burma Vs Japan event in Yangon.
Just located Scott Mallon's articles written regarding Lethwei --
Not So Familiar Arts of Myanmar and Kampucheau
&
Prize Fighting - It ain't what it used to be...
Mallon's material is not very well researched and clearly doesnt show any depth of understanding.
This was an article originally in from Croatia about Burmese Boxing training
The Toughest Stand up Fighting You Can Imagine
Article By : Davor Kudrna
I am sure that most of readers have quite good idea what Muay Thai or Thai boxing is. My first live contact was with master Chang who worked as waiter in restaurant in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia – I was shocked when I saw what a real master of only about 110 lbs. can do to the heavy bag. It was 50 bone breaking roundhouse kicks with left leg and immediately the same with right without stoppage. I mean bone crushing, not that ballet choreography when you stay on one leg and whip 3 times another. I was hooked. Depending on the tournament it is 3 to 5 rounds of 2 to 3 minutes, classical weight classes, fists and feet, elbows and knees, hard clench fight and throwing.
Now imagine some changes:
-No gloves, only bandages.
- You can hit (or be hit) with your head.
- If you throw your opponent, you can hit him (or be hit yourself if you are the one who is falling) while he falls until his head is one foot above ground.
- There are NO weight classes. If you are a little guy who made it to the finals, you are just little guy who was good enough to have a chance to become the champion, the heavyweight champion. In the beginning though judges try to put together fighters of similar sizes.
-And the dessert, the so-called «flag» tournaments at the top level. Each champion has his own flag with the symbol and they challenge each other as they did in medieval knight's tournaments. All fighters must finish the first round in the circuit, after the last two are over, the first two started the second round, and after that for all pairs who started the third and last round without a time deadline, there can be only two endings. A K.O. or a withdrawal, which most often means the reason is a serious injury. Oh, by the way, a K.O. doesn't mean that you wasn't able to get up for 10 sec. Depending on the agreement before the tournament you'll have at least 2 minutes to come round and you have the right to continue as if nothing happened (often you can see a stubborn fighter who finishes on the floor of the ring countless times to win at the end.
If you don't know where people fight this way, go to Myanmar (former Burma), where they practice Myanma Yuya Louvi – a traditional full-contact martial art that hasn't been changed for centuries (as you can see by rules). Why have most people never heard about this? Well, I am not sure, but I think the first reason is the politically complicated situation which results in closeness of the country, and second, you must admit that the rules are little bit harsh for wide popularity.
I was fortunate to practice under guidance of Nilar Win –a champ from Myanmar who spent some time in Croatia on his way to Paris. In Burma they all have fighting/spiritual names given by coaches or peers for a characteristic in fighting, and the meaning of his is ‘Shiny Jewel'. It describes his excellent proficiency in fighting and coaching. Let's try to say it this way - until meeting that man I was good fighter, after that he made me a warrior. Today he holds a very successful Thai boxing centre and creates champions on the French and European levels.
How do you prepare for such an event? I can give you example of one of his championship training:
A.M.
He used to ‘jog' as he called it. When I went with him for the first time, it was serious run for 6 -7 miles, a sprint workout (for example 15 x 100 metres with an easy jog back to the starting line), a ‘jog' back home.
P.M.
After a warm-up (mobility exercises, shadow boxing, rope jumping) :
5 rounds x 5 minutes of roundhouse kicks on a heavy bag,
5 x 5 knee work on a heavy bag,
5 x 5 hand work on Thai pads,
1 x 5 shadow boxing using all techniques as «relaxation» round and transition to sparring
15 x 5 with 5 different sparring partners in circuit. Rest between rounds is 30 seconds. Sometimes he would change partners for 25 rounds x 3 minutes without rest – 75 minutes sparring total.
Considering modern training theories, someone will tell this way of working out is straight path to overtraining, but how can one prepare himself for fight without deadline against similar prepared opponent under the above mentioned rules? You can come to such a level only after years of persistent daily practice. Of course, if you compete for three 3-minute rounds, you should customize your preparation. You have no use of marathon endurance but lacking wind, strength and explosiveness in last round of match.
But today, when you see more and more limitations and rules (for example K1 – no elbow, no clench fight, and the last one was, you can hit only ones after you catch your opponent's lousy kick and then you must let him go), it's nice to see that somewhere someone still practice hard enough in traditional way further of modern fame and commercialization, and closer to the old and real purpose of martial arts, for the battle.
Conditioning for Burmese boxing
Let's describe first traditional methods of Burmese and boxers. They put a great emphasis on strength, endurance, and hardness of the contact parts of the body. Workouts are hold early in the morning and late in the evening because of the humid and warm climate. Sun would catch fighters on the river coast in dawn. They would run, swim and pitch fists in the mud – opening and closing it inside – developing strength and endurance for punching and clench fight. For hardening fists and elbows they would hit an unripe coconut hung on rope. For feet, shins, and knees they used a «tandy» yield which is bigger and harder than coconut. Similar to the karate tameshiwari practice they used to break stones and bricks of fried pug. For hardness, flexibility, and agility they played «chin lon», a game where you hit a ball made of knit sticks with legs and head (in Thailand they called it «tackrow») and they played it on acrobatic level. They climbed on palms for strength and agility. They incorporated long, slow running and swimming, and also lots of sprinting work (today's recommendation is to sprint with mouthpiece as a situation training for a clench fight –the principle of specificity – and the emphasis is on practicing proper breathing). They include lots of jumping exercises and jumping kicks and punches. First for conditioning, and second they are better afterwards in the easier standing versions – the «train hard, fight easy» principle applied to technique. Beside lots of calisthenics (for example, they do many gymnastic bridges from the standing position and call it the «monkey wheel») they use barbells and dumbbells. They also practice special tumbles.
You should use every aspect of your training for developing other aspects. 90% of kickboxers leave their head and ribs open when roundhouse kicking –a no-no. Croatian K-1 and Pride champ Mirko «Cro cup» Filipovic would use that opening for his famous left high K.O. kick.
This is an a government release on the modern rules of Burmese Boxing
This is the official Government approved History of Burmese Boxing Myanma Traditional Boxing as Practiced in the Government Sactioned Golden Belt Tounements.
Myanmar Traditional Boxing |
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Myanma Lethwei
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Myanma traditional boxing (Myanma Letwhave) had developed since many years ago. It is the national art of self-defence
which stimulates hereditary courage and the national spirit. As all the Myanmar nationals can hold, boxing matches in every region in Myanmar, the traditional boxing becomes the national art of Self-defence. It is the heritage not only owned by one national but by all the nationals of Myanmar.
Myanma traditional boxing is the high standard of fighting art without weapons. The traditional boxing match is man to man fighting. Thus, it is regarded as mannliness. In an ancient saying, if a man has no tatto marks, he is regarded as womanish. So also, if a man does not know the traditional boxing, he is regarded as a sissy. At the time of ancient Myanmar kings, traditonal boxing matches were held in grand scale. (Pagan, Nagayone Myanma encyclopaedia, No-12, Page from 175 tp 179). The pictures of a man standing on his head, wrestlers and dancers can be found on the wall of a cave mear Bagan. The picture of the two wrestlers are vivid. Both are stout and they look real sportsmen. It is assumed that Boxing might develop in the Bagan era.
During the era of Inwa, the two boxers, Augnsegon Thangarazar and Shangyi fought in the boxing match. The former killed the latter with his right hand. Long long ago, the militant soldiers who know the military strategy were trained the art of boxing, Some historians said that at the time of Thibaw, the last King of Konebaung dynasty, good boxers are put in the royal list as " Letwhave Taw Thut".
The boxers of prewar period could break bamboo poles with their fists. And they were able to hit certain mark on the face. They could fight tirelessly from sunrise to sunset to get high reward to get the champion's flag (Alan Lu Pwe).
After the indenpendence in postwar period, Myanma traditional boxing revived as the national heritage. The Boxers, mostly farmers, kept the Myanma traditional boxing alive.
Twenty of Myanmar top boxers were sent to Thailand in 1955 and to China in 1960 to partictpage in the boxing matches hold there. Said U Bo Sein who had been to China. Boxing matches are being held at the time of the Shwedagon Pagoda festivals, indenpendence days and Farmers's days. So that Myanmar nationals can deeply enjoy them.
In the past, the boxing matches were held on the ground of about 24 feet wide. The groud was covered with sand or husks of paddy. Nowadays, the boxers fight in the ring which is 20 feet wide. They wear only short pants and the top is tied by longyiof triangle shape. Their hands are bandaged. There are two references ( Ko Wyne Daing) in the ring and three judges on the bench (Khone Daing). Myanmar traditional music is being played while they are fighting.
Various spirits are worshipped before the match is started for the successful ending.
Myanma traditional boxing is an art of fighting and self-defence. When a boxer fights his opponent he can tactfully use his feet, hands, knees, elbows and head. (Nine Big Weapons). Therefore, the famous old boxers said that there were nine entering hits and nine defending. They said that fists were to blow, elbows to make a side thrust, head to hit, feet, knees and forearms to strike.
Nowadays, three kinds of Myanma traditional boxing matches are generally held according to the size and types of the festivals. They are--
1. GYAR PWE (Interim boxing match)
2. ALAN LU PWE (Boxing match to get champion's belt)
3. SEIN KHAW PWE (Boxing match of challenge)
Thus, by preserving and practising Myanma traditional boxing, patriotism and union spirit are strengthened and uplifted. Besides, there are many advantages to be developed which are good character, health and fitness, selt-confidence, safety at work, defence of the country and Myanmar young people's love for their country.
The rules of boxing matches
The rules and regulations of Myanma traditional boxing matches varied in accord with different regions
long ago. But at present the rules and regulations observed and practised by the boxers are the same through out Myanmar.
Now, Myanma traditional boxing matches are held as " Gyar Pwe" (interim Boxing match), "Alan Lu Pwe" (Boxing match to get champios's belt and " Sein Khaw Pwe" (Boxing match of challenge) according to the size of the festivals. The competitors must strictly follow the rules and regulations mentioned below:-
1. The competitors must have medical checked up and those medically unfit will not be admitted.
2. They have to dress neatly and their hair and nails have to be cut.
They have to get on the stage from the prescribed corner in prescribed manner.
3. There must not be any hard things under the banages and in the socks. If these are found, the boxer will be expelled and action will be taken against him.
4. Oil must not be used on the Body more than necessary and chilli style ointment must
not be used.
5. At the begining of the match, every competitor has to demonstrate his style of fighting.
6. He can worship according to his faith but it must not be against the national culture.
7. Team leaders or trainers and judges must arrange the competitors to be matched so that they cannot be wounded.
8. The two competitors must not right each other until the ring referees them to do so.
9. They must stop fighting if the referees shout "halt" or show with hand or foot.
10. If a boxer falls down while fighting, he must be lying flat on the floor.
11. The boxers must not scrach, bite, pull the hair and kick the balls of each other.
12. If they are holding each other for a long time, the referees must stop the match.
13. If one of the two boxers steps back and gives up, the match must be stopped.
14. If one boxer falls and ligs flat on the floor, he must not be attacked. If he is attacked, the attacker will lose the match.
15. If the two boxers are pretending to fight, the referees must stop the match and take action against them.
16. If the referees and judges ask one of the boxers to give up the fight, he must willingly accept it.
17. Boxers must compete according to three conditions that is one will lose because of fear, (Give up the match, because of injury, because of inability to fight any more.)
18. Refrees and judges must laid down the number of rounds.
19. Boxers must not sleep, look back and run round in the ring. If the does not pay
attention to the frequent warnings of the refrees and judges, he will be declared as a loser.
20. In the interim matches (Gyar Pwe), the boxers must compete three rounds with three minutes in one round, If there is no winner and loser, the match will end in a draw. If one boxer falls down, referees will take care of him for two minutes. After that he becomes the loser.
21. In the matches to get the champion's belt (Alan Lu Pwe), the boxers must compete on three
conditions, Kyauk Shone (lose because of fear), Kwe Shone (Lose because of injury) and Thet Lone Shone (because of inability to fight any more). If there is no winner or loser, the match must be continued another thirty minutes. If one of the boxers has injury cut and bleeds, it must be approved by the doctor he cannot continue to fight.
22. If one boxer falls down in the Alan Lu Pwe, the referee will take care of him. But if he falls down and can't to get up after three calls for challenge, he will be declared.
23. In 5 rounds match Sein Khaw Pwe, the boxers must compete five rounds by three minutes fight and three minutes rest. They are allowed to extend the rest time to six minutes only once during first 3 rounds. If one boxer is wounded during first 3 rounds, he can win the match with the approval of the doctor and the decision of the referees and the competition jury.
24. In 7 rounds match Sein Khaw Pwe, the boxers must compete seven rounds by three minutes fight and three minutes rest. They allow to extend the rest for six minutes once in first 6 rounds. If one boxer is wounded during first 6 rounds, he can win the match with the approval of the doctor and the decision of the referees and competition jury.
25. In 10 rounds match Sein Khaw Pwe, the boxers must compete ten rounds with three minutes fight and three minutes rest, They are allowed to entend the rest time for six minutes twice in first 7 rounds, If one boxer is wounded during first 7 rounds, he can win the match with the approval of the doctor and decision of referees and competition jury.
26. In 12 rounds match Sein Khaw Pwe, the boxers with 3 minutes fight and 3 minutes rest must compete twelve rounds. They are allowed to extend the rest time to six minutes 3 times in first 8 rounds. If one boxer is wounded during first 8 rounds, he can win the match with the approval of the doctor and the decision of the referees and the competition jury.
In the traditional Myanmar Boxing, the boxers can use tactfully and skillfully their feet, hands, knees, elbows and head in fight.
Nevertheless, the boxers must observe the rules and regulation laid down by the Myanma Traditonal Boxing Federation and boxing matches are being held in accord with our tradition.
As to the Scott Mallon pieces I have to agree with Vinny his research and knowledge leave a lot to be disired. Unfortantly people write these things and others take them as gospel
Thanks for the superb information guys!