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Sport | Lethwei |
---|---|
Jurisdiction | Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs |
Abbreviation | MLF |
Founded | 1995 |
Headquarters | Thuwunna Indoor Stadium Offices in Thein Pyu Stadium |
Location | Yangon, Myanmar |
President | U Thein Aung |
Chairman | U Sai Zaw Zaw [1] |
Vice president(s) | Ne Win |
Official website | |
mtlfederation |
Myanmar Lethwei Federation (MLF) (Burmese : မြန်မာနိုင်ငံရိုးရာလက်ဝှေ့အဖွဲ့ချုပ်) formerly known as Myanmar Traditional Lethwei Federation is one of two major organizations which sanctions professional Lethwei bouts worldwide and the only one who oversees Lethwei competitions in Myanmar. [2] [3]
The Myanmar Lethwei Federation or MLF is a branch of the Myanmar's Ministry of Health and Sports. [4] [5] The federation was initially founded in 1995 as the Myanmar Traditional Boxing Federation, [6] since Lethwei is translated to Boxing in Burmese language. [1] In 2019, the federation adapted its name to the MTLF - Myanmar Traditional Lethwei Federation, reflecting a more modern approach to the world and later updated it to Myanmar Lethwei Federation.
Since 1990's, MLF has been the sponsor of Thein Pyu Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar and holds an office space in the premise. [7]
In 2016, the MLF granted a ‘’Grade-A’’ promoter licence from the International Lethwei Federation Japan [8] allowing them to organize traditional Lethwei events in Japan. [9] [10] [11]
On April 28, 2021, Dave Leduc criticized Muay Thai fighter Buakaw Banchamek and historical figure Nai Khanom Tom in a social media post. Leduc questioned the veracity and claimed that the Nai Khanom Tom folklore story is exaggerated and that he was simply a prisoner in ancient Burma, referring to Siamese prisoners captured by Burmese troops during the Burmese–Siamese War. [12] [13] The post sparked considerable backlash from the Muaythai and combat sports community. In a letter, the Myanmar Traditional Lethwei Federation explained that Muaythai promoters made a complaint about Leduc. Muaythai promoter Nuttadaj Vachirarattanawong urged the MTLF to reprimand Leduc. [14] [15] According to the MTLF, Leduc had "committed personal attacks" on Buakaw Banchamek and Muaythai history potentially tarnishing the relationship between Myanmar and Thailand. [16] The federation issued a two-year ban Lethwei competitions under the MTLF. [17] There were speculations that the ban was political due to Leduc denouncing the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état and supporting the freedom movement in the Myanmar. [18] [19]
In response to the letter, Dave Leduc wrote on social media: "They’re not the World Lethwei Federation (WLF), the WLF is the most powerful, they have affiliated federations all accross[ sic ] the world [...] Nobody in the world tells me anything. The World Lethwei Federation can’t, and especially not the MTLF" [20] "They made an “official letter” saying they ban me from their federation “for 2 years” Am I supposed to care? Not only do I not care, I will go further and say: I will never fight in their federation (MTLF) ever again." Leduc added. [21] [18] [22] [23]
Muay Thai, sometimes referred to as Thai boxing, the Art of Eight Limbs or the Science of Eight Limbs, is a Thai martial art and full-contact combat sport that uses stand-up striking, sweeps, and various clinching techniques. The name “Art of Eight Limbs” refers to the combined use of fists, elbows, knees and shins. Muay Thai became widespread internationally in the late 20th to 21st century, when Westernised practitioners from Thailand began competing in kickboxing and mixed-rules matches as well as matches under Muay Thai rules around the world. The professional league is governed by the Professional Boxing Association of Thailand (PAT), sanctioned by the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT).
Lethwei or Burmese boxing is a full contact combat sport originating from Myanmar and is regarded as one of the most brutal martial arts in the world. Lethwei fighters are allowed to use stand-up striking techniques such as kicks, knees, elbows and punches, and the use of headbutts is also permitted. Fighters compete bareknuckle, wrapping their hands with only tape and gauze. Disallowed in most combat sports, headbutts are important weapons in a Lethwei fighter's arsenal, giving Lethwei its name of the "Art of nine limbs". This, combined with its bareknuckle nature, gave Lethwei a reputation for being one of the bloodiest and most violent martial arts. Lethwei is the last remaining sport in the world that allows headbutts. Although popular throughout Myanmar, Lethwei has been primarily and historically associated with the Karen people of the Kayin State; the vast majority of competitive Lethwei fighters are ethnolinguistically of Karen descent.
Sombat Banchamek, also known by his ring name Buakaw Banchamek is a Thai professional Muay Thai fighter and kickboxer. Known for his fierce fighting style, he is regarded as one of the greatest Muay Thai fighters of all time.
Umar Semata is a Ugandan middleweight and super middleweight Muay Thai fighter and the former WBC World Boxing Council Muay Thai Interim Super Middleweight Champion.
Tun Tun Min is a Burmese Lethwei fighter of Mon descent, former openweight Lethwei World Champion. In 2014, he became the youngest fighter to ever win the Lethwei Golden Belt, obtaining the title at age 21. Tun Tun Min is considered Myanmar's top Lethwei fighter and is notable for fighting foreign challengers from outside Myanmar.
Dave Leduc is a Canadian Lethwei fighter. He is a former six-time Lethwei world champion who held the Openweight Lethwei World Championship and was undefeated under traditional rules KO to win. In 2014, Leduc first gained widespread notoriety by winning his fight in the controversial Prison Fight inside a maximum security prison in Thailand.
World Lethwei Championship was a Lethwei promotion based in Yangon, Myanmar. The promotion brought the millennia-old Burmese martial of Lethwei to UFC Fight Pass and showcased it to the world. The WLC events combined the historic traditions of Lethwei with modern entertainment.
International Lethwei Federation Japan, also known as ILFJ, is a Japanese Lethwei promotion company with headquarters in Tokyo.
The year 2017 was the second year in the history of the ILFJ, a Japanese Lethwei promotion and the year started with Lethwei in Japan 2: Legacy. The events are streamed online by FITE TV, Abema TV in Japan and through television agreements with MNTV in Myanmar.
Diesellek TopkingBoxing is a Thai Muaythai fighter. He is a former Rajadamnern Stadium, WMPF and IKF World Champion.
Nuttadaj Vachirarattanawong, nicknamed Boat, is a Thai Muay Thai and boxing promoter. He is the owner of both Petchyindee Academy and Petchyindee Promotions.
Corentin Jallon is an Algerian-French Kickboxer competing in the heavyweight and cruiserweight division. He is the former World Kickboxing Network (WKN) Cruiserweight World Champion as well as the Muaythai & K-1 FFSCDA France -91kg Champion, King of the Ring -91kg Champion and he has competed in SUPERKOMBAT. In 2013, Jallon became the WKN World Champion after defeating Cristian Bosch in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Nilmungkorn Sudsakorngym is a Thai Muay Thai fighter. As an amateur, he won the 2015 IMTF World Championship. In 2016 & 2017 as a professional, Nilmungkorn became the SUPER Muay Thai World Champion, winning the tournament two years in a row. In 2017, he also competed in Lethwei for the International Lethwei Federation Japan at Lethwei in Japan 4 in Tokyo.
Artur Saładiak is a Polish Muay Thai kickboxer and Lethwei fighter. He who competed in Glory and World Lethwei Championship where he is the former WLC Light Middleweight World Champion.
Thai Fight is a Muay Thai promotion based in Bangkok, Thailand, which hosts events worldwide and all across Thailand. Thai Fight events are produced in conjunction with the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The inaugural tournament took place on August 29, 2010, and the promotion has since featured notable fighters such as Youssef Boughanem, Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee, Saiyok Pumpanmuang, Yodsanklai Fairtex, Buakaw Banchamek and Saenchai.
Cyrus Washington is an American kickboxer, Taekwondo, Muay Thai and Lethwei fighter. He is former WKA, WMF, WKBF and PK-1 Muay Thai World Champion, as well as former WBC Muaythai USA Champion, WMC and Lumpinee Stadium title contender. In 2012, he competed in the Emmy nominated Thailand VS Challenger TV Series. Washington received worldwide attention for being one of the first successful foreigners to compete in Lethwei in Myanmar.
Vero Nika is a Burmese Lethwei and Muay Thai fighter. She is one of the most successful female Lethwei fighters in the sport. In 2022, amid unrest in Myanmar because of the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, she started competing in Muay Thai in neighboring Thailand where she reached the no.1 spot in the female world Muay Thai rankings at 53 kg according to World Muay Thai Organization and became Thai Fight Kard Chuek Champion. In 2025, she signed with ONE Championship.
Prom Samnang, is a Cambodian Kun Khmer fighter and is one of the most successful Kun Khmer fighters in Cambodia. In 2023, Samnang won the Thai Fight Kard Chuek championship title in Thailand and won the gold medal against Tun Tun Min in the Khun Khmer Men's 81kg division.
The World Lethwei Federation (WLF) was founded in 2019 as the international governing body for amateur and professional Lethwei. The WLF has the responsibility to sanction and support the growth of Lethwei worldwide outside of Myanmar, including enforcement of its traditions, rules and regulations.
Dave Leduc vs. Tun Tun Min III, also known as The Biggest Fight In Lethwei History, was a Lethwei world title match between undefeated openweight Lethwei World Champion Dave Leduc and former openweight Lethwei World Champion Tun Tun Min that took place at Thein Pyu Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar, on December 16, 2018.
criticizing Buakaw Banchamek and questioning whether the legendary tale of Nai Khanom Tom was actually true. He was also banned from competing by one of the major sanctioning bodies for lethwei after making these comments
Ils ne sont pas la fédération mondiale de lethwei [WLF]. Celle-ci est la plus puissante, elle a des ententes avec des fédérations partout sur la planète. [...] Personne au monde ne me dit quoi faire. La WLF ne peut pas et encore moins la MTLF