Over the past few months, the Ayeyarwady region in Myanmar has managed to avoid the conflict and violence that has plagued the rest of the country since the military seized control in February 2021. The region’s geographical isolation and lack of land borders with neighboring countries make it difficult to secure necessary supplies from overseas.
One unique facet of the region is Lethwei, Myanmar’s brutal national sport. Lethwei, also known as the “art of nine limbs,” allows fighters to use fists, feet, elbows, knees, and even their heads in combat. Unlike other martial arts in the area, Lethwei is a bare-knuckle sport, with fighters wearing only thin gauze to protect their hands.
Due to the unreliable energy network in the country, a generator powers the venue where Lethwei fights are held. The generator provides electricity for the strip lights above the ring and the sound system, which amplifies the sounds of the fights.
One group of fighters, called Power Punch, traveled from Yangon to a small town in Ayeyarwady to participate in a Lethwei competition. These fights give the fighters a chance to perform in front of a large audience, enhance their gym’s reputation, and earn prize money. Although not all of the team’s fights resulted in victories, the experience gained from competing is invaluable for the young fighters, according to Sayar Hein, the owner and coach of Power Punch.
“After each fight, we have conversations with the fighters to assess their performance and correct any mistakes,” Hein explained. The fighters have a short time to recover from their injuries before their next match in Naypyidaw, Myanmar’s capital.
Overall, despite the challenges faced by the region, Ayeyarwady remains relatively peaceful and provides a platform for the development and promotion of Lethwei, a unique and intense sport in Myanmar.