Draft:Lethwei Golden Belt
| Golden Belt | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | Lethwei Champion |
| Sponsored by | Myanmar Lethwei Federation |
| Country | Myanmar |
The Lethwei Golden Belt, also known simply as the Golden Belt, is regarded as the highest and most prestigious award for Lethwei fighters under traditional rules.[1][2]
History
[edit]In 2016, Canadian born fighter Dave Leduc became the first non-Burmese fighter to win the Lethwei golden belt.[3][4][5]
Openweight champions
[edit]Lethwei champions in the openweight category, sometimes referred as the "free weight" champions,[6]}} compete at the weight of 80kg and under, but its not uncommon to see openweight champion accept challenges from heavier opponents. This is historically the heaviest category in Myanmar traditional Lethwei. There is only one Golden Belt champion per weight categories, with the openweight class champion being considered the strongest fighter in Myanmar.[7] The openweight Golden Belt champion is the equivalent of being pound-for-pound champion in the world of Lethwei.[8] The openweight Golden Belt is considered the most high-profile belt.[9]
Win Zin Oo, Burmese gym owner and former coach of Lethwei openweight champion Lone Chaw explains:
| “ | If you win the golden belt you are the national champion, there is only one champion in each division, but there is also an openweight champion who is considered to be the best fighter in Myanmar.[10] | ” |
| Champion | Reign began | Defeated |
|---|---|---|
 Moe Kyoe
|
from 1971-1978 | |
| Moe Kyoe
|
20 December 1909 | |
| Moe Kyoe
|
21 March 1910 | |
| Moe Kyoe
|
18 April 1910 | |
| Moe Kyoe
|
17 October 1910 | |
| Moe Kyoe
|
24 April 1911 | |
| Moe Kyoe
|
4 December 1911 | |
| Moe Kyoe
|
9 March 1914 |
See also
[edit]Bibliography
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ James Rees (April 10, 2023). "Dave Leduc Vs Samnang to Headline MFC 2". Combat Sports UK.
The Openweight Lethwei World Championship is one of the most prestigious titles in combat sports.
- ^ Kyaw Zin Hlaing (13 December 2016). "Myanmar's lethwei goliath toppled by Canadian 'Dave'". Myanmar Times. Archived from the original on July 20, 2022.
- ^ Alan Dawson (28 April 2020). "Asia's biggest MMA firm would love to recruit head-butting Lethwei 'monster' Dave Leduc once the coronavirus pandemic slows". Business Insider.
first non-Burmese athlete to win the coveted Lethwei golden belt
- ^ Kyaw Zin Hlaing (13 December 2016). "Myanmar's lethwei goliath toppled by Canadian 'Dave'". Myanmar Times. Archived from the original on 18 August 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
- ^ Jordan Wright (30 August 2022). "Marshall Inu Crypto Promotion Unveiled By Dave Leduc". MMA News.
- ^ Justin Calderon (22 July 2015). "Lethwei boxing in Myanmar: Asia's new martial arts sensation". CNN Travel.
Golden Belt freeweight champion
- ^ Hlaing, Kyaw Zin (22 December 2015). "A Tun Tun Minute". Myanmar Times. Archived from the original on April 7, 2022.
- ^ "SONS OF LETHWEI LEGENDS TO MEET IN THE RING AT WLC: KING OF NINE LIMBS". Asia Persuasian MMA. 22 June 2019. Archived from the original on April 20, 2024.
- ^ Joe Henley (28 January 2018). "Burmese bare-knuckle kick-boxing goes mainstream as foreigners discover ancient combat sport". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021.
- ^ Goyder, James (22 July 2015). "Inside a Burmese Lethwei Gym". VICE Fightland.