U Than Shwe
Translation provided by Aung Kyaw Thu
Translation provided by Aung Kyaw Thu
Published in Nat Kha Ta Yaung Che (Starlight) Magazine August 1999 - Win Tint Oo
Back in 1999 in February and March, the author had once again travelled to Myawaddy Township and paid a visit to Saya’s residence, Hnin Wut Hmone restaurant, which is located on Bayint Naung Street, near Bayint Naung (Thai-Myanmar friendship) bridge.
Once the author had arrived, the Saya welcomed him warmly with much delight and gave host with food and drinks. Afterwards Saya kept on talking about Myanmar traditional boxing energetically.
U Than Shwe: Since I have aged, I won’t be able to fight in the boxing ring anymore myself, but teaching youngster and amateur boxers is my aim and desire to promote Burmese boxing to the world.
Besides his wish for the improvement and development of present Myanmar traditional boxing, Saya Myawaddy U Than Shwe also gives his opinions and thoughts about the country’s traditional boxing knowledge while placing his benevolence ahead.
U Than Shwe: There are still lots of professional boxers in Myanmar. For instance, Sayagyi U Bo Sein, Chit Sayar (Thaton), Ba Hnit Gyi (Thaton) and Yangon Kyaw Sint (currently living in Mudon). Besides Tha Mann Kyar, we have to provide more strength to the Myanmar Traditional Boxing Federation and try to make Burmese boxing gain great popularity not only in Myanmar, but also in the rest of the world.
Last month I already told you about powerful mantras including the “Hanuman mantra” and certain incantations. This time, apart from those mantras, I will tell you about “The Lion King Mantra” that I had once used. This mantra has to be recited after chanting the “Hanuman” mantra.
“Oane….Shin Pu Shin Nat YaKat”
The mantra has to be recited at least three times and the saliva has to be swallowed. As long as you remember, before and during the boxing contest, you have to chant the mantra repeatedly and swallow the saliva in spite of spitting it. That mantra is very strong and it can give you tremendous strength just like a lion, and you can overpower your opponent without going out of breath, leading to victory. And that was what I personally came across, sir. Besides, let me also tell you more about succeeding mantras such as the “Law Mantra” and “Shan Mantra”.
If you are unfortunate and get knocked down while fighting with your opponent, you will have to recite the “Law Mantra” to help you get back on your feet quickly.
“HtaKyar, KawtKawt KyarCha”
The mantra has to be recited three times swiftly, and then try getting up quickly. You will be back on your feet with ease.
“Oane PonPon KwanPonTon”
The mantra has to be chanted thirty-seven times. But if you can not manage to do it thirty seven times, you must at least recite the mantra quickly three times and then swallow the saliva.
In traditional boxing there is a saying: “Feet, Hand, Forehead, Elbow, and Knee”. Those body parts are to be used accordingly to fight and strike the opponent, in order to win. By using those main five body parts proportionally and with proper balancing, you can dodge any incoming attacks and will be able to neutralize it. So to teach the boxing techniques as systematic and strategic as possible to my students, my eldest son Ko Shwe Win has joined me as my coaching assistant.
Writer: Sayagyi, can you please let me know the names of the students that you are presently teaching and the names of the old students that you have previously taught? Saya then explained in detail to the author in the following paragraphs.
U Than Shwe: It was the year 1967 when “S.B” U Ngwe Hla sent me to Saya Kyar Ba Nyein. Just as soon as we met, Saya Kyar Ba Nyein punched me so hard he broke my nasal septum. In the year 1968, after learning Saya Kyar's methodology and techniques, together with the power of Hanuman Mantra, I was able to defeat Maung Dway and Chit Zabe. Shortly after I started my coaching career.
I have coached and even provided food to Saw Yi Lay, Nge Nge, Aung Htoo, Kawkareik Thein Soe, Naung Lone Phyan (Welterweight first runner-up), Aung Aung Tun and so-called “A Lwan” by the whole of Myawaddy Township; Wan Chai (Present Myanmar Traditional Boxing Champion). Shwe War Tun also came and pursued from me for many days. I also once taught the famous boxer Tha Mann Kyar.
I have also taught to Shwe Du Won (Hpa-An), Aye Ko, Naing Naing, Naing Naing Tun, Shan Daung Shwe and Dawna Pann also known as Poe Hat Phyu.
At the moment I am teaching Shwe Htake Tin (Shwe Du Won brother), Shwe Du Won (Hpa-An), Aung Than Win (Professor’s son), Kyaw Swar also known as Shan Lay Tway (Saya’s youngest son), Taw Lay Nge, M16, Nar Kat and Dawna Pann.
Writer: What is your opinion on the current state of traditional boxing, Saya?
U Than Shwe: In Myanmar, Boxing knowledge should have been widespread from the beginning. If the talented traditional boxers are rewarded and treated rightfully by the sport federations and are being systematically well-trained, just as in Western Boxing, then Myanmar Boxing will also be recognized worldwide.
Within the Boxing Associations in Myanmar, the only well-known establishments are those of Yangon and Tontay, Mandalay, Myawaddy, Thaton and Hpa-An and Taunggu organization. Taunggu and Hpa-An have grown weaker unlike their earlier periods.
As for the Mawlamyine organization, they no longer show up in tournaments. And Kawkareik and Kyondoe are nowhere to be found.
In my point of view, I believe that instead of the different organisations being dispersed accordingly with townships, there should only be one Central Association where techniques and skill-set are taught both literally and practically, so Burmese Boxing can one day be recognized worldwide standing on top of the world’s boxing platform.
For this very reason I trained my students precisely and treated them systematically to nourished meals, for instance; eggs so as to keep them strong and healthy. I don’t expect nothing special back from my students, some of the students don’t know the benevolence of my training. It does not matter whether they are thankful to me or not. If they are not ungrateful towards me, I am fine with them.
Writer: Have you encountered those students who are unappreciative towards the teacher, Saya?
U Than Shwe: Yes, of course I have come across them sir.
Writer: By the way Sayagyi, do you have further mantras that are good at protection? Like the ones that you had used yourselves.
U Than Shwe: I do have, sir. While boxing it can be very troublesome when sand and debris enters your eyes. When we are in that situation, we are not able to see the opponent’s movement and have to suffer miserably. So as to not get sand and debris get into our eyes, there is a mantra for it. If we recite the mantra faithfully while boxing, sand and debris will never get in our eyes, sir.
Writer: Sayagyi, Can you please tell me how you actually test the mantra yourself?
U Than Shwe: This mantra has to be recited with Burmese pronunciation. It has to be recited 37 times and we have to flip up with our hands from the eyes to the tip of the forehead at least seven times. The mantra is simple and short.
“Buddhar Ni, Twarha”
I had once faithfully chanted the mantra thirty seven times and waved with my hands starting from my mouth up to the forehead. Then I grabbed a handful of sand and threw it in my face. It is quite surprising, sir. Not even a grain of sand had entered my eyes. I knew it (worked) as I did my own personal test. In a boxing tournament I would chant the mantra and fight in sandy boxing rings but none of the sand, debris or dust entered my eyes. That is my personal encounter, sir.
Writer: It is quite fascinating, Saya. Listening to your conversations is both educational and also knowledgeable.
U Than Shwe: I love reading, sir. I don’t know how to write but I want to give it a try. Just as you will be writing down this interview, it is convenient, sir.
The author then greeted the famed Myanmar Boxing Coach, Saya Myawaddy U Than Shwe and his family goodbye and went back to the “Oo” hostel.
In his mind, Myawaddy U Than Shwe’s personal encounter of Myanmar Traditional Boxing and powerful mantras were still flying afloat. Although the Sun had disappeared behind the Daw Na Mountain, the city was still beautifully sparkling under the modern electric lights of Bayint Naung’s Friendship Bridge in Myawaddy Township.