THE Master, or Saya, WIN ZIN OO, is the founder and head coach of Thut Ti Lethwei Club in Yangon.
"THUT TI" means "courage" in Burmese. The gym itself is home not only to pro and amateur fighters but also known as a fitness destination. While there's of course competition training for lethwei fighters available, a wide range of people go there who don’t want to compete, but rather want to learn lethwei for fitness and wellness, for self-defense or to combat stress.
LETHWEI is the 2,000 years old Burmese style of bareknuckle kickboxing that is similar to the more popular striking art of Muay Thai, except it's fought without gloves and with legal headbutts. Known as the "Art of 9 Limbs" it's not an easy sport or something for the faint of heart. It's brutal and beautiful. And as awareness has spread of its unique spirit and format in the fight world it's been blowing up in Asia and the West.
AS a pioneering lethwei instructor, Win is now one of the legendary coaches of the martial art known not only in his native Myanmar but also around the globe. His training began at a young age under his grandfather; a farmer and amateur Lethwei competitor.
HE has since coached many high profile champions and fighter during his long career, including Maung Maung Gyi, Shan Lay Thway, Saw Gaw Mu Doe, and the legendary Lone Chaw.
AS the political situation in Myanmar has led to its fall back into closure under military rule, exacerbated by the ravages of COVID, this interview with Saya Win back in 2018 is an episode that personally includes my hope for Myanmar eventually rising back to the light of democracy.
SAYA Win talks here about his passion for the sport, the technicalities of fighting with all 9 limbs, and his joy at teaching both competitors and casuals, it's a hope that goes out not only so that fighters and coaches can continue to promote the beauty and spirit of this unique art, but also so that the values and culture of traditional lethwei does not disappear from the history books or from the memory of the fighting world.
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CONTAINS sound samples from "Cottonmouth" by Surrogate Prey. Used with permission. DDP is powered and distributed by Anchor.fm.