Lethwei#Injury time-out

File:Physical culture (1908) (14802472843).jpg tattoos and hitched up longyi (paso hkadaung kyaik).]]

File:Bodleian Ms. Burm. a. 5 fol 162.jpg and Htoe Kwin tattoos.]]

The traditional martial arts of Myanmar are regrouped under a term called "thaing", which includes bando, banshay, naban, shan gyi and Lethwei. According to researchers, thaing can be traced in its earliest form to the 12th century of the Pagan Kingdom dynasty.{{cite news|last=H.|first=Thar|date=12 October 2019|url=https://www.frontiermyanmar.net/en/playing-for-beauty-and-playing-to-fight-myanmars-martial-arts|title=Playing for beauty and playing to fight': Myanmar's martial arts|publisher=Frontier}}

In Bagan, it exists some carvings on temples and pagodas in the central Myanmar plains, which appear to show pairs of men locked in combat, suggesting the sport is potentially over a 1,000 years old.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/lethwei-myanmars-brutal-martial-art-attracting-all-comers-while-fighting-for-recognition-1.98823|title=Lethwei, Myanmar’s brutal Martial Art, attracting all-comers while fighting for recognition|date=December 30, 2015|website=The National News}}

In ancient times, matches were held for entertainment and were popular with every stratum of society. Participation was opened to any male, whether noble or commoner. At that time, matches took place in sand pits instead of rings.{{cite web|url=http://www.bornwarriorsmovie.com/index.php/news/entry/born-warriors-fighting-for-survival|title=Born Warriors: Fighting for Survival|last1=Giordano|first1=Vincent|website=15 July 2015}} Boxers fought without protective equipment, only wrapping their hands in hemp or gauze. There were no draws; the fight went on until one of the participants was knocked out or could no longer continue. Back then, Burmese boxing champions would enter the ring and call for open challenges.{{cite book |title=Journal of the Royal Society of Arts, Volume 41 |publisher=G. Bell and Sons |date=1893 |page=151 |quote=At a Burmese boxing match, a champion will jump into the ring and dance about, smacking his chest and arms and cracking his fingers, challenging all comers.}}

Lethwei went through many years of suppression during the British colonial rule of Burma. The sport was revived under General Ne Win's nationalistic government.Burmese Boxing Sees Revival. Black Belt magazine. September 1970. Unlike Muay Thai, in Lethwei, punches are generally favoured over kicks because of their ability to draw blood more easily.{{cite web |title=What Happens When Muai Thai Fighters Try Lethwei?|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oZH4_3G42E|website=The Joe Rogan Experience|date=October 29, 2019}} Traditional matches include the Flagship Tournament, which are still fought throughout Myanmar, especially during holidays or celebration festivals like Thingyan.{{cite web|last1=Giordano|first1=Vincent|title=Burmese Lethwei: The Tradition of Child Fighters|url=http://www.allaboutmartialarts.com/Burmese-lethwei-the-tradition-of-child-fighters|website=AllAboutMartialArts}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/print/658636/|title=Women join in Myanmar's ferocious kickboxing|date=1 April 2016|website=Bangkok Post}} In rural areas, having a skilled child fighter has been a way of escaping poverty.{{cite web |title=The Violent, Lonely World of Myanmar's Child Boxers|url=https://narratively.com/the-violent-lonely-world-of-myanmars-child-boxers|author=Poppy McPherson|website=Narratively|date=31 July 2017}}

In modern times, the sport is kept alive in Lower Burma in Mon State and Karen State where matches are held for events such as New Year's celebrations.{{cite web |author=Zaw Zaw, A|date=24 December 2015|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/foreigners-drawn-myanmars-bone-crunching-kickboxing-042426376.html|title=Foreigners drawn to Myanmar's bone-crunching kickboxing|publisher=Yahoo Sports}}

Kyar Ba Nyein, who participated in boxing at the 1952 Summer Olympics, pioneered modern Lethwei by setting in place modern rules and regulations.{{cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/14281120/Kyar-ba-nyein|title=Kyar ba nyein|publisher=Scribd|access-date=2015-03-04}} He travelled around Myanmar, especially the Mon and Karen states, where Lethwei is more actively practiced. After training with some of the fighters, Kyar Ba Nyein brought some to Mandalay and Yangon to compete in matches.{{cite web|last1=Giordano|first1=Vincent|title=Born Warriors Redux: A New Era Begins for an Ancient Sport|url=http://www.bornwarriorsmovie.com/index.php/articles/entry/born-warriors-redux-a-new-era-begins-for-an-ancient-sport|date=15 July 2015}}

In 1996, the Myanmar Traditional Lethwei Federation (MTLF), a branch of the Myanmar's Ministry of Health and Sports, added the modern Lethwei rules for the occasion of the Golden Belt Championship in Yangon.{{cite web |url=https://www.mdn.gov.mm/en/tun-tun-min-wins-myanmar-lethwei-world-championship|title=Tun Tun Min wins Myanmar Lethwei World Championship|date=19 August 2019|publisher=Myanmar Daily News}}{{cite web |last=Goyder|first=James |date=17 December 2014|url=http://fightland.vice.com/blog/the-burmese-kickboxing-style-of-lethwei-expands-into-singapore|title=The Burmese Kickboxing Style of Lethwei Expands Into Singapore |publisher=VICE Fightland}}{{cite news|author=Kyaw Zin Hlaing|url=https://www.mmtimes.com/sports/6839-two-two-wins-golden-belt-championship.html|title=Two Two wins Golden Belt Championship|date=20 May 2013|website=Myanmar Times}} The bouts, along with the undercard fights, were organized by the Ministry of Sport, Myanmar Traditional Lethwei Federation and KSM group. This marked a big addition to the art of Lethwei and potentially would make Burmese boxing more marketable internationally.{{cite web|url=http://www.combatsportsasia.com/burmese-lethwei-bare-knuckle-revival|title=Burmese Lethwei: Bare Knuckle Revival|last1=Giordano|first1=Vincent|date=13 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906041409/http://www.combatsportsasia.com/burmese-lethwei-bare-knuckle-revival/|archive-date=September 6, 2015|url-status=dead}}

On 18 July 2015, ONE Championship held the first Lethwei fight in its history inside a cage at the occasion of ONE Championship: Kingdom of Warriors in Yangon, Myanmar.{{cite web|url=https://www.onefc.com/features/6-fascinating-facts-every-martial-arts-fan-needs-to-know-about-myanmar-lethwei|title=6 Fascinating Facts Every Martial Arts Fan Needs To Know About Myanmar Lethwei|website=ONE Championship|date=14 June 2017|quote=Pictures of Phyan Thway and Soe Htet Oo at Kingdom of Warriors}}

• {{cite web|url=https://www.onefc.com/lifestyle/what-separates-lethwei-from-other-martial-arts|title=What Separates Lethwei From Other Martial Arts|website=ONE Championship|author=Matias Andres|date=14 March 2020}}
• {{cite news |author=Andrew Whitelaw|title="A lethwei style MMA fight" - Aung La N Sang on hybrid rules and touching on his Myanmar roots|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/news-aung-la-n-sang-keen-for-a-lethwei-style-mma-fight|work=Sportskeeda|date=28 April 2022|quote=ONE Championship has promoted lethwei fights in the past}} The fight showcased Burmese fighters Phyan Thway and Soe Htet Oo in a dark match and the result was a draw according to the traditional Lethwei rules.{{cite web|url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/46084-one-championship-light-of-a-nation|title=ONE Championship: Light of a Nation|website=Tapology|access-date=4 September 2022}}

In 2017, ONE Championship and World Lethwei Championship officially entered into a partnership to share athletes to fight in each other's organization.{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/news/mma-firm-one-championship-and-the-world-lethwei-championship-are-in-talks-to-cross-pollinate-each-others-organizations/articleshow/76197171.cms|title=MMA firm One Championship and the World Lethwei Championship are in talks to cross-pollinate each other's organizations|author=Alan Dawson|website=Business Insider India|date=4 June 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.insider.com/one-championship-wlc-talking-about-cross-pollenating-each-others-promotion-2020-6|title=World Lethwei Championship is open to a co-promotion in order to expand|author=Alan Dawson|website=Business Insider|date=4 June 2020}}

• {{cite web|url=http://sport360.com/article/boxing-mma/one-championship-mma/223041/world-lethwei-championship-to-be-held-in-myanmar-following-success-of-one-championship|title=World Lethwei championship to be held in Myanmar|website=Sport 360|date=16 February 2017}} On June 30, 2017, ONE Championship held a Lethwei match at ONE Championship: Light of a Nation between Thway Thit Win Hlaing and Soe Htet Oo. Thway Thit Win Hlaing would end up winning a decision according to WLC point system.{{cite web|url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/46084-one-championship-light-of-a-nation|title=ONE Championship: Light of a Nation|website=Tapology|access-date=4 September 2022}}

In 2016, Myanmar's first international Lethwei promotion called World Lethwei Championship (WLC) launched its events using the tournament Lethwei rules.{{cite web|url=http://myanmaritv.com/news/world-letwhei-championship-biggest-intl-lethwei-competition-myanmar|title=World Lethwei Championship: Biggest Int'l. Lethwei Competition in Myanmar|publisher=Myanmari TV|access-date=25 May 2017}}{{Cite news|url=http://rough.asia/interviews/zay-thiha-bringing-lethwei-to-the-world/|title=Zay Thiha: Bringing Lethwei to the World|work=Rough Magazine|date=11 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814051952if_/http://rough.asia/interviews/zay-thiha-bringing-lethwei-to-the-world/|archive-date=14 August 2017}}

In 2019, the WLC marked history by broadcasting WLC 7: Mighty Warriors, the first Lethwei event, internationally live on UFC Fight Pass.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thefightnation.com/world-lethwei-championship-lines-up-big-card-for-ufc-fight-pass-debut|title=World Lethwei Championship Lines Up Big Card for UFC Fight Pass Debut|website=The Fight Nation|date=31 January 2019|language=en}}

File:Lethwei fights Ye city Myanmar.png

From 7 to 12 July 2001, twelve years after Burma changed its name to Myanmar, the first international event took place in Yangon with professional fighters from the United States facing Burmese fighters under full traditional Lethwei rules. The delegation of three American fighters brought by the IKF were Shannon Ritch, Albert Ramirez and Doug Evans. Ritch faced Ei Htee Kaw, Ramirez faced Saw Thei Myo, and Evans faced openweight Lethwei champion Wan Chai. All three Americans lost to the Burmese. A revenge match with American and European fighters was cancelled the last minute by Lethwei promoters and the military in 2002.

From 10 to 11 July 2004, the second event headlining foreigners took place with four Japanese fighters fighting against Burmese fighters. They were mixed martial arts fighters Akitoshi Tamura, Yoshitaro Niimi, Takeharu Yamamoto and Naruji Wakasugi. Tamura knocked out Aya Bo Sein in the second round and became the first foreigner to beat a Myanmar Lethwei practitioner in an official match. International matches continued with the exciting Cyrus Washington vs. Tun Tun Min trilogy.

In 2016, after having previously fought to an explosive draw, Dave Leduc and Tun Tun Min rematched at the Air KBZ Aung Lan Championship in Yangon, Myanmar. The rematch was sweetened by an added bonus: ownership of the Lethwei Openweight World Championship Belt.{{cite web|title=デーブ・レダックチャンピオン Dave Leduc Champion|url=https://miruhon.net/51700|website=The Weekly Fight Japan|date=12 December 2016}} Leduc became the first non-Burmese fighter to win the Lethwei Golden Belt and become Lethwei world champion after defeating Tun Tun Min in the third round.{{cite news|author=Kyaw Zin Hlaing|url=http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/sports/24187-myanmar-s-lethwei-goliath-toppled-by-canadian-dave.html|title=Myanmar's lethwei goliath toppled by Canadian 'Dave' |date=13 December 2016|website=Myanmar Times}}{{cite news|url=http://www.journallarevue.com/sports/2016/12/20/tout-sauf-de-la-chance-pour-dave-leduc.html|title=Tout sauf de la chance pour Dave Leduc|author=Anthony Da Silva-Casimiro|date=20 December 2016|work=La Revue|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612162416/https://www.journallarevue.com/sports/2016/12/20/tout-sauf-de-la-chance-pour-dave-leduc.html|archive-date=June 12, 2018|url-status=usurped}}

Following his title defence, Leduc said in an interview, "I have so much vision for this sport. I see Lethwei doing the same for Myanmar as what Muay Thai has done for Thailand."{{cite web|last1=Eaton|first1=Matt|title=Embracing tradition: The rise of LethweiI|url=http://www.thefightnation.com/embracing-tradition-the-rise-of-lethwei/|website=The Fight Nation|date=18 April 2017}}

On 18 April 2017, for his second title defense under traditional rules,{{Cite web|url=http://miruhon.net/64893|title=Weigh ins for Lethwei in Japan 3 GRIT - 明日開催！第3回日本ラウェイ大会『ラウェイinジャパン 3 ～GRIT～』後楽園ホール大会！計量と公開記者会見終了|website=The Weekly Fight|date=17 April 2017}} Dave Leduc faced Turkish Australian challenger Adem Yilmaz at Lethwei in Japan 3: Grit in Tokyo, Japan.{{Cite web|url=http://miruhon.net/64893|title=4・18『Lethwei in Japan 3 ～GRIT～』全対戦7カード発表！ミャンマーvs.日本（4対4）vs.USA（2対2）にカナダの現ラウェイ王者が再参戦！相手は第1回大会参戦のオーストラリア選手！ – 週刊ファイト|website=The Weekly Fight|date=3 March 2017}} This marked the first Lethwei World title fight headlining two non-Burmese in the sport's history and for the occasion, the Ambassador of Myanmar to Japan was present at the event held in the Korakuen Hall.{{cite journal|date=21 April 2017|title=Lethwei in Japan 3 GRIT|trans-title=Lethwei in Japan 3 GRIT is the third tournament is Japan|url=http://www.free4reader.com/issue_detail.php?id=10002|language=my|journal=Myanma Allin Daily}}

Due to the violent ruleset, Lethwei is difficult to sanction and is illegal in most countries outside of Myanmar.{{cite web |url=https://mmachannel.com/what-is-lethwei-burmese-bare-knuckle-boxing-explained|title=What Is Lethwei? Burmese Bare Knuckle Boxing Explained|access-date=21 July 2022|website=MMA Channel}} Even though headbutts are allowed in Lethwei, they are banned from most other combat sports including mixed martial arts, kickboxing, and Muay Thai.{{cite news|url=https://www.onefc.com/lifestyle/what-separates-lethwei-from-other-martial-arts|title=What Separates Lethwei From Other Martial Arts?|author=Matias Andres|date=14 March 2020|website=ONE Championship|archive-date=June 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620082956/https://www.onefc.com/lifestyle/what-separates-lethwei-from-other-martial-arts/}} As of 2022, Myanmar Lethwei is only legal in the following countries: Myanmar, Japan, Singapore, Slovakia, Austria, Thailand, Taiwan, England, United States (only the state of Wyoming), New Zealand and Poland.{{cite web |url=http://lethweiworld.com/new-zealand-to-become-the-9th-country-to-host-lethwei-fights|title=New Zealand To Become The 10th Country To Host Pro Lethwei Fight|author=Aung Mint Sein|date=28 October 2020|publisher=Lethwei World|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404050716/http://lethweiworld.com/new-zealand-to-become-the-9th-country-to-host-lethwei-fights/|archive-date=April 4, 2023}}{{cite news |author=Kyaw Zin Hlaing|date=30 April 2015|url=https://www.mmtimes.com/sports/14207-slovakia-the-next-stop-for-lethwei-stars.html|title=Slovakia the next stop for Lethwei stars|website=Myanmar Times|archive-date=July 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720145933/https://www.mmtimes.com/sports/14207-slovakia-the-next-stop-for-lethwei-stars.html}}

• {{cite news|url=http://lethweiworld.com/lethwei-rising-in-popularity-slovakia|title=Lethwei Rising In Popularity In Slovakia|date=27 July 2022|author=Aung Mint Sein|website=Lethwei World|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519002055/https://lethweiworld.com/lethwei-rising-in-popularity-slovakia/|archive-date=May 19, 2023}} The World Lethwei Federation has the responsibility to sanction and support the growth of Lethwei worldwide outside of Myanmar.{{Cite web |title=2nd Amateur Lethwei World Championship To Be Held In Poland In 2021|url=https://lethweiworld.com/poland-world-championship|author=Matthew Carter|date=September 18, 2020|website=Lethwei World|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515214325/https://lethweiworld.com/poland-world-championship/|archive-date=May 15, 2023}}

{{main|Lethwei in popular culture}}

Lethwei has been featured in variety of popular culture and mass media, including written works, live-action film and television and animation in Myanmar and occasionally abroad. In 2016, the sport gained worldwide attention after Dave Leduc defeated Tun Tun Min, a Golden Belt champion.{{cite web|last1=Eaton|first1=Matt|title=Bare essentials: Canadian raises profile of Burmese combat sport|url=https://asiatimes.com/article/bare-essentials-canadian-raises-profile-burmese-combat-sport/|website=Asia Times|date=15 May 2017}}

• {{cite web |url=http://lethweiworld.com/dave-leduc-on-the-cover-of-legendary-magazine|title=Dave Leduc On The Cover Of Legendary Martial Arts Magazine|author=Matthew Carter|date=22 June 2020|website=Lethwei World}}
• {{cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en_asia/article/3kgyen/lethwei-brutal-sport-burmese-kickboxing-myanmar|title=Inside a Burmese Lethwei Gym |author=Karl D. De Mesa|date=12 March 2019|publisher=VICE}}
• {{cite web |url=https://thebodylockmma.com/lethwei/a-royal-portrait-dave-leduc-king-of-lethwei|title=A royal portrait: Dave Leduc, King of Lethwei|author=Rhodri Morgan|date=20 July 2019|publisher=The Body Lock}} The same year, Born Warriors released a series of documentaries shot throughout Myanmar. In 2018, Frank Grillo travelled to Myanmar and featured Lethwei in the Netflix documentary FightWorld.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/oct/24/can-netflixs-fightworld-help-rehabilitate-mmas-image|title=Can Netflix's Fightworld help rehabilitate MMA's image?|website=The Guardian|date=24 October 2018|access-date=11 July 2020}} In 2019, Lethwei was featured in The Joe Rogan Experience podcast by Joe Rogan with Leduc as guest.{{cite news|url=https://www.jrepodcast.com/episode/jre-mma-show-81-with-dave-leduc/|title=JRE MMA Show #81 with Dave Leduc|date=October 29, 2019|publisher=The Joe Rogan Experience}}{{cite news|url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3036975/dave-leduc-blasts-delusional-liam-harrison|title=Dave Leduc blasts 'delusional' Liam Harrison and challenges him to fight Lethwei|author=Nick Atkin|date=8 November 2019|website=South China Morning Post}} The sport has also been featured in the popular Japanese manga series Kengan Ashura.{{cite web |url=https://superherojacked.com/2022/06/25/saw-paing-workout|title=Saw Paing Workout: Train like The Kengan Ashura Lethwei Fighter!|date=June 25, 2022|publisher=Super Hero Jacked}} In the series, the Burmese Lethwei master named Saw Paing, is so indestructible that an opponent shatters every bone in their hand trying to punch him.{{cite web |url=https://www.mmamania.com/2020/4/27/21233239/kengan-ashura-yabako-sandrovich-tournament-arc-fighting-fiction-japanese-anime-mma|title=Fighting Fiction: 'Kengan Ashura' perfects the martial arts tournament arc|author=Patrick L. Stumberg|date=27 April 2020|publisher=MMA Mania}}

The lekkha moun is the traditional gesture performed by Lethwei fighters to challenge their opponents with courage and respect. The lekkha moun is done by clapping 3 times with right palm to the triangle shaped hole formed while bending the left arm. The clapping hand must be in form of a cup, while the left hand must be placed under the right armpit. The lekkha moun is done at the beginning of the Lethwei yay and can also be done while fighting.

File:provoc0.jpg

This invitation to fight is inspired from the birds of prey, like the eagle, as they flap their wings when flying and hunting.

The Lethwei yay could be described as a fight dance. It is performed before the fight as a way to showcase the fighter's skills and as a victory dance after the fight. The lekkha moun is usually confused with the lethwei yay, but the lekkha moun is done along with the Lethwei yay.{{cite web |last1=Andres |first1=Matias |title=What Separates Lethwei From Other Martial Arts? |url=https://www.onefc.com/lifestyle/what-separates-lethwei-from-other-martial-arts/ |website=ONE Championship|date=14 March 2020}}

Before modernisation, especially in colonial times, the pre-fight dance was more commonly referred to as han yay (ဟန်ရေး). Performed in accordance with the tempo of the traditional orchestra (ဆိုင်း), it incorporated a much more elaborate dance and show of skills. Boastful poetry was sometimes recited along with the dance.{{cite magazine|author1-link=Kyar Ba Nyein|last=Ba Nyein |first=Kyar |date=1 March 1968 |title=တိမ်ယံကထွက်လာသော ဗမာ့လက်ဝှေ့ |magazine=ရှေ့သို့ |page=27 |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1764128223826658 |access-date=8 September 2021 |trans-title=Forward|language=my}}

File:dance0.jpg|

File:percut0.jpg|

File:Lethwei bloody handwraps.png

Permitted techniques

• Headbutts
• All punches
• All elbow strikes
• All knee strikes
• All kicks
• Extensive clinching
• Sweeps, throws and takedowns

The use of the feet, hands, knees, elbows and head is permitted.

Rounds

Each bout can be booked as a 3, 4 or 5 round fight with 3 minutes per round and a 2-minute break in between rounds. Championship bouts are 5 round fights with 3 minutes per round and a 2-minute break between rounds.

Fighting attire

The Burmese bareknuckle boxing rules prohibits the use of gloves.

• The fighters must only wear tape, gauze and electrical tape on their hands and feet.
• The fighters shall wear only shorts, without a shirt or shoes.
• The fighters must wear a groin protector.
• The fighters must wear a gum shield.

The fighters are required to apply the wrapping in front of the fight officials, who will endorse the wraps.

Referee

One referee oversees the fight. The referee has the power to:

• End the fight if he considers one fighter to be significantly outclassed by his opponent.
• Stop the fight and refer to the doctor if a fighter is heavily wounded.
• Warn the fighters. He makes sure the fight proceeds fairly and in compliance with the rules.

The traditional rules, also known as yoe yar rules, which comes from the Burmese Myanma yoe yar Latway, which means Myanmar traditional boxing.{{cite news |author=Mark Schroeder|date=17 September 2019|url=https://www.thefight-site.com/home/introduction-to-lethwei-1|title=Introduction to Lethwei|publisher=The Fight Site}} Traditional matches are still fought throughout Myanmar, especially during festivals or celebrations like Thingyan. Traditional Lethwei is notorious for not having a scoring system and for its controversial rule of knock-out only to win.

At the end of the match, in the eventuality that there is no knockout or stoppage, if the two fighters are still standing, even if one fighter dominated the fight, the match is declared a draw. Fighters can win by incapacitating their rivals in a few different ways.

• A knock-out (KO) is when a fighter falls to the ground, leans unconscious or if a fighter is unable to stand up or defend themself for 20 seconds (10 counts with 1 count every 2 seconds).
• When 3 counts are performed in a single round, the fight is terminated and scored as knock-out (count limit) (KO).
• When 4 counts are performed during the entire duration of the fight, the match is terminated and scored as knock-out (count limit) (KO).
• A technical knock-out (TKO) is when a fighter forfeits, has an injury or is in a position that can damage or severely harm them if the fight continues. The ring doctor is consulted and makes the decision.{{cite web|url=http://www.martialartsentertainment.com/born-warriors-documentarian-vincent-giordano-interview-part-2/|title=Born Warriors: Documentarian Vincent Giordano Interview Part 2|last1=Xegarra|first1=Guillermo|website=Martial Arts Entertainment|date=7 June 2016}}

Promotions that use traditional rules

• Most Lethwei promotions in Myanmar
• Annual Myanmar Lethwei World Championship
• Air KBZ Aung Lan Championship
• International Lethwei Federation Japan
• Challenge fights
• Flagship Tournaments
• Festivals & celebrations

• If a knockout or injury occurs, the fighter can take a special 2 minute time-out to recover. After the time-out the fighter can choose whether he wishes to continue the bout or not. Each fighter may only do so once during the fight.{{cite news |last=Looi |first=Florence |date=8 September 2015 |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/09/myanmar-lethwei-fighters-bare-knuckles-150908100052020.html |title=Myanmar's Lethwei fighters bare their knuckles |publisher=Al Jazeera}}
• The time-out cannot be used in the fifth round.
• The use of the time-out is considered as 1 count.

{{Main|Lethwei Golden Belt}}

The traditional Lethwei Golden Belt is regarded as the highest and most prestigious award for Lethwei fighters.{{Cite web |title=Dave Leduc Vs Samnang to Headline MFC 2|url=https://www.combatsportsuk.co.uk/dave-leduc-vs-samnang-to-headline-mfc-2|date=April 10, 2023|author=James Rees|website=Combat Sports UK|quote=The Openweight Lethwei World Championship is one of the most prestigious titles in combat sports.}}{{cite news|author=Kyaw Zin Hlaing|url=http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/sports/24187-myanmar-s-lethwei-goliath-toppled-by-canadian-dave.html|title=Myanmar's lethwei goliath toppled by Canadian 'Dave'|date=13 December 2016|website=Myanmar Times}} Not to be confused with the annual Golden Belt Championship, composed mostly of younger rising talent and using the tournament rules point system.

There is only one Golden Belt champion for each weight categories, with the openweight class champion being considered the strongest fighter in Myanmar.{{Cite news|url=https://www.mmtimes.com/sports/18254-a-tun-tun-minute.html|title=A Tun Tun Minute|last=Hlaing|first=Kyaw Zin|website=Myanmar Times|date=22 December 2015}} The openweight Golden Belt champion is the equivalent of being pound-for-pound champion in the world of Lethwei.{{cite web|title=SONS OF LETHWEI LEGENDS TO MEET IN THE RING AT WLC: KING OF NINE LIMBS|url=https://apmma.net/sons-of-lethwei-legends-to-meet-in-the-ring-at-wlc-king-of-nine-limbs|date=22 June 2019|publisher=Asia Persuasian MMA}}

In 1996, the Myanmar Traditional Lethwei Federation created the tournament ruleset for the inaugural Golden Belt Championship tournament. The two-minute injury timeout was removed and judges were added ringside to determine a winner in the event there was no knockout. This modified ruleset prevents the outcome of a draw and helped choose a winner to advance in the tournament. Myanmar's first international promotion, the World Lethwei Championship, opted for this ruleset in order to follow international safety regulations and have clear winners.

Judging criteria

The knockout is still highly desired under this ruleset, but in the event that a bout goes the distance, judges will present a decision. The 3 judges should score the bout based on:

• aggression
• damage
• amount of blood drawn
• number of significant strikes per round

Fighters have a maximum of 3 knockdowns per round and 4 knockdowns in the entire fight before the fight is ruled a knockout.

Aside from punches, kicks, elbows and knee attacks, Burmese fighters also make use of head-butts, raking knuckle strikes and take downs.

File:lethwei-Elbow.jpg|Spinning elbow strike

File:lethwei-Hight-kick.jpg|Roundhouse kick

File:lethwei-Knee-Elbow.jpg|Knee and elbow strike

File:lethwei-Knee-Hand.jpg|Knee and punch

File:Lethwei-Step-Elbow.jpg|Jumping knee and elbow

File:HookKick001.jpg|Back hook kick

{{anchor|Headbutt}}

{{anchor|Punching}}

File:Lethwei figths in Ye city Myanmar 2.png

{{anchor|Elbow}}

The elbow can be used in several ways as a striking weapon: horizontal, diagonal-upwards, diagonal-downwards, uppercut, downward, backward-spinning and flying. They can be used as either a finishing move or as a way to cut the opponent's eyebrow to draw blood.

Elbows can be used to great effect as blocks or defenses against, for example, spring knees, side body knees, body kicks or punches. When well connected, an elbow strike can cause serious damage to the opponent, including cuts or even a knockout.

The foot-thrust is one of the techniques in Lethwei. It is used as a defensive technique to control distance or block attacks and as a way to set up attack. Foot-thrusts should be thrown quickly but with enough force to knock an opponent off balance.

Note - The Myanglish spelling and phonetics based spelling are two different things. The words used are phonetics based words which are more friendly and easy to pronounce for non-Myanmar speaking people. The phonetics wording is provided by Liger Paing from United Myanmar Bando Nation.

{{for|practitioners of Lethwei|List of Lethwei fighters}}

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• Kyar Ba Nyein
• Pyi Taw Pyan
• Bala Sein
• Phyu Gyi
• Kyaung Thar
• Moe Kyoe
• Tway Ma Shaung
• Dave Leduc
• Tun Tun Min
• Too Too
• Saw Nga Man
• Lone Chaw
• Shwe Sai
• Soe Lin Oo
• Cyrus Washington
• Wan Chai
• Mite Yine
• Tun Lwin Moe

{{div col end}}

{{Portal|Martial arts}}

• List of Lethwei fighters
• Burmese martial arts
• Bando
• Banshay
• Naban
• Pongyi thaing

{{reflist|30em}}

• Maung Gyi, Burmese bando boxing, Ed. R.Maxwell, Baltimore, 1978
• Zoran Rebac, Traditional Burmese boxing, Ed. Paladin Press, Boulder, 2003

{{Commons category}}

{{Lethwei}}

{{Martial arts}}

Category:Burmese martial arts

Category:Mixed martial arts styles

Category:Sport in Myanmar

Category:Sports originating in Myanmar