Myanmese women show fighting spirit by embracing brutal martial art of Lethwei
Lethwei fighters say their sport is the toughest member of Southeast Asia’s kickboxing family, leaving Thailand’s more famous Muay Thai in the blood-flecked dust thanks to its disdain for gloves and use of skull-cracking headbutts.
Moe Pwint Oo shoots the grimy punchbag a steely glare before slamming her fist into it, striking a blow for equality as she practises Myanmar’s homespun martial art Lethwei – a sport that encourages head-butting and grants victory by knockout only.
The petite medical sciences student is one of a growing number of women taking up Lethwei kickboxing, building up a sweat in the yard of a gritty Yangon gym where some of the country’s best fighters train alongside local enthusiasts, expats and even the odd actress.
“I think Lethwei is becoming really popular here because I see a lot of my friends here as well. But I am here to box not to socialise,” said Moe Pwint Oo, as a woman from Japan practised spin kicks in a makeshift ring behind her.
Lethwei fighters say their sport is the toughest member of Southeast Asia’s kickboxing family, leaving Thailand’s more famous Muay Thai in the blood-flecked dust thanks to its disdain for gloves and use of skull-cracking headbutts.
To win a Lethwei fight you must batter your opponent unconscious, or to the point where they surrender. If no one gets knocked out in five three-minute rounds, the match ends in a draw.
It is perhaps little wonder that few women traditionally enter the ring in Myanmar, where gender norms favour demure damsels over fearsome fighters. But that has begun to change in recent years as gender roles shift, spurred by the country opening up to the world after decades of isolating military rule.