International Lethwei Federation Japan

International Lethwei Federation Japan, also known as ILFJ, is a Japanese Lethwei promotion company founded in 2016. The company has its headquarters in Tokyo.[2]

International Lethwei Federation Japan
TypeLethwei promotion
Founded2016
HeadquartersTokyo, Japan[1]
Key people
Yoshiyuki Nakamura[2]
OwnerYoshimitsu Mitsui[3]
(First On Stage Co., Ltd)[3][4]
Websitehttp://ilfj.or.jp/

History

The first ILFJ event titled Lethwei Grand Prix in Japan 2016,[5] was held on 27 October 2016 at Korakuen Hall[3] in Tokyo, Japan.[2]

The promotion signed top Lethwei fighters Dave Leduc,[6] Saw Nga Man,[7] Tun Tun Min,[8] Too Too[9] and Soe Lin Oo.[10]

Business

In 2016, the ILFJ acquired a ‘’Grade-A’’ promoter licence from the Myanmar Traditional Lethwei Federation,[3] allowing them to organize traditional Lethwei events in Japan.[11] ILFJ then entered into a partnership with Myanmar businessman Mr. Wunna[12] CEO of Myanmar Media Group (MMG),[3] the organizer of the Myanmar Lethwei World Championship, to share fighters and co-organize the Lethwei events in Japan.[13]

Media coverage

After having an inaugural first event in the Japan in Tokyo (Lethwei Grand Prix 2016), FITE TV[14] signed a multi-year agreement to broadcast the promotion's Lethwei events.[15]

In 2017, the ILFJ signed a broadcasting deal with MNTV[16] to be aired in Myanmar[17] and livestreaming[18] available in Japan on AbemaTV.[19]

Events
# Event Date Venue Location
15 Lethwei in Japan 15: Kizuna February 22, 2020 Edion Arena Osaka, Japan
14 Lethwei in Japan 14: Mysterious Tenmei November 2, 2019 Korakuen Hall Tokyo, Japan
13 Lethwei in Japan 13: First Intention July 25, 2019 Korakuen Hall Tokyo, Japan
12 Lethwei in Japan 12: Proof of the Brave May 17, 2019 Korakuen Hall Tokyo, Japan
11 Lethwei in Japan 11: Millennium Force February 27, 2019 Korakuen Hall Tokyo, Japan
10 Lethwei in Japan 10: Inori November 14, 2018 Korakuen Hall Tokyo, Japan
9 Lethwei in Japan 9: Kodo September 13, 2018 Korakuen Hall Tokyo, Japan
8 Lethwei in Japan 8: Samurai June 29, 2018 Korakuen Hall Tokyo, Japan
7 Lethwei in Japan 7: Yuki February 21, 2018 Korakuen Hall Tokyo, Japan
6 Lethwei Grand Prix Japan 2017 November 15, 2017 Korakuen Hall Tokyo, Japan
5 Lethwei in Japan 5: Nexurise September 28, 2017 Korakuen Hall Tokyo, Japan
4 Lethwei in Japan 4: Frontier June 16, 2017 Tokyo Dome City Hall Tokyo, Japan
3 Lethwei in Japan 3: Grit April 18, 2017 Korakuen Hall Tokyo, Japan
2 Lethwei in Japan 2: Legacy February 16, 2017 Korakuen Hall Tokyo, Japan
1 Lethwei Grand Prix Japan 2016 October 27, 2016 Korakuen Hall Tokyo, Japan

[20]

List of champions
DivisionUpper weight limitChampionSinceTitle defenses
Openweight80 kg (176.4 lb)+ Dave LeducJune 16, 2017 (Lethwei in Japan 4: Frontier)0
Featherweight65 kg (143.3 lb) Thar A Thae Ta PwintJune 16, 2017 (Lethwei in Japan 4: Frontier)1
Bantamweight60 kg (132.3 lb) Yuta HamamotoJune 16, 2017 (Lethwei in Japan 4: Frontier)0
Women's Featherweight62 kg (136.7 lb) Julija StoliarenkoNovember 15, 2017 (Lethwei Grand Prix Japan 2017)1

Openweight Championship
No Weight limit: 80 kg (176.4 lb) and up
No. Name Event Date Reign Defenses
1 Dave Leduc
def. Nilmungkorn Sudsakorngym		 Lethwei in Japan 4: Frontier
Tokyo, Japan		 June 16, 2017 631 days
(Vacated)

Rules

ILFJ uses traditional Lethwei rules, with no point system. The only way to win is by knockout or because of an injury or the inability to fight any more. At the end of the match if the two fighters are still standing, the fight is declare a draw.

Rounds

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

Weight classes

ILFJ utilizes the following weight classes:

Weight class name Upper limit
in kilograms (kg) in pounds (lb)
Bantamweight 60132.3
Featherweight 65143.3
Welterweight 70154.3
Middleweight 75165.3
Openweight No weight limit

Notable fighters

See also

References
  1. "(Japanese)無敗のミャンマー人と対する一休そうじゅん". Yahoo Japan. 12 September 2018. Archived from the original on 4 November 2018. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  2. T.I (17 March 2018). "世界で一番過激な格闘技 ラウェイの世界(Japanese)". VICE Japan.
  3. "(Japanese) Japan's first MTBF-certified raiding event "Lethwei Grand Prix in Japan 2016" is held at Korakuen Hall". Battle News. 12 September 2016.
  4. "11 · 15 "LETHWEI GP JAPAN 2017" Penalties for reduction of fight money to Kohei Gojigyo". The Weekly Fight. 17 December 2017.
  5. "Lethwei GP in Japan 2016". Bout Review. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  6. "Dave Leduc - ILFJ". ILFJ. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  7. "Saw Nga Man - ILFJ". ILFJ. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  8. "Tun Tun Min - ILFJ". ILFJ. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  9. "Too Too - ILFJ". ILFJ. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  10. "Soe Lin Oo - ILFJ". ILFJ. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  11. "Myanmar-Japan Lethwei fights hosted in Japan". The Global New Light of Myanmar. 2 March 2018.
  12. "後楽園大会出場の外国人戦手が来日＆当日券情報(Japanese)". ILFJ.
  13. "Burmese kick-boxing champ KOs Australian". Burmese DVB. 28 October 2016. Archived from the original on 3 November 2018.
  14. Mike Jonhson (14 June 2017). "FITE TV TO AIR LETHWEI IN JAPAN 4 FRONTIER". PWInsiderXTRA.
  15. Toshiya Kurenai (27 September 2017). "Livestream by FITE『LETHWEI in Japan 5 NEXURISE". Ameblo Japan.
  16. "(Japanese)【ミャンマー】キックボクシングに似た格闘技". Global News Asia. 8 November 2018.
  17. MDN (19 February 2018). "Myanmar Lethwei to take place in Tokyo". Myanmar Digital News.
  18. "LETHWEI GRAND PRIX JAPAN 2017". Abema TV. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  19. "(Japanese)3度目となる日本大会『バガン遺跡群復興支援チャリティーLETHWEI IN JAPAN 3 ～GRIT～』を緊急生中継". Abema Times. 18 April 2017.
  20. "ILFJ events". ILFJ. Retrieved 2018-02-15.
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