forward 1973

by Tekkatho Kyaw Sein Than

Originally published in ရှေ့သို့/Forward in 1973, as shared by Alex Tsui

Note: This is excerpted, only tournament information is included. Karen is referred to as Kawhtoolei. The dates do not match the days for whatever reason, January 3rd was on a Wednesday. Win Naing Sein is U Bo Sein's son. In the opening paragraph it erroneously says 1972 instead of 1973.

Today, the revolutionary government of Burma, which firmly believes that the health of the nation as a whole is crucial to the success of a socialist society, encourages modern sports as well as the revival of traditional sports.

Therefore, on Union Day, Labor Day, Independence Day and State Day, Burmese boxing matches were gradually included (on 25th anniversary of independence in 1972, the Burmese boxing matches were held at Kyaikkasan Stadium in Yangon from January 3rd to January 9th every night starting at 7pm.)

On the first day (3-1-1973), 15 matches were held. Kyaung Thar Lay and Aung Thein from Kawthoolei State fought in the first start-off match. Both of them were young beginners. The fighters fought tactically and wisely.

The audience could not stop clapping, it was such a lively event. Kyaung Thar Lay often used his “push kick” technique cold-bloodedly and also strikes his opponent with his “flying knee”. In the first half Kyaung Thar Lay was getting the upper hand. However, in the second round, when Kyaung Thar Lay finished one of his “push kicks”, Aung Thein saw an opening and hit him with a firm right hand which knocked Kyaung Thar Lay down on his back. Aung Thein's monstrous blow cut Kyaung Thar Lay on the face. Aung Thein was able to demonstrate his lethwei yay as a sign of victory inside the boxing ring.

On that same day Burmese boxer Mae Pya and Pauk Tu, who were in their 50s, had an exhibition match. The veteran boxer, known by the fans as "Strong-hearted Mae Pya", demonstrated true Burmese boxing knowledge with his jumping round kick and straight knee strike in unison amidst a loud roar of applause.

On Friday, 7-1-1973, in the fourth class (B) grade flag fight, 6 bouts were held. In the first match Sein Dar Myaung and Tint Tae met. As they were young, both of them fought actively and exchanged blows. It was a good match. But because Tint Tae fought using his head, hands and legs effectively, Sein Dar Myaung's eyebrows were cut and he gave up. Tint Tae showed his lethwei yay as a sign of victory.

Sein Palae (Yangon) and Saw Tin Oo (Kale Tagun Daing) competed in the fourth class (A) grade flag fight. Despite having a small build, Saw Tin Oo fought strategically and in the second round Sein Pale gave up stating that the fight was not fair.

In the second match Maung Aye (Thaton) and Than Tin (Hpa-An) had a match. In the first round, Than Tin's knee got dislocated and Maung Aye won, he was sure to advance up to the finals.

On Saturday, 8-1-1973, Moe Lone (Naung Kone) and Kyan Yit (Phaung Sein village) competed in the third class flag fight which is the fan favourite. Kyan Yit was a veteran boxer who won the Kawthoolei State Day flag. He used both defensive and offensive techniques beautifully and fought calmly, using punches, kicks and knee strikes. In the second round, Moe Lone injured his knee and could no longer continue fighting, so Kyan Yit advanced to the finals.

On the same day, the remaining matches of the fourth class (A) grade continued. In the match between Ye Aung and Pyone Pyone Lay, both boxers grappled closely and fell to ground. Ye Aung hurt his back and could not continue fighting. Pyone Pyone Lay won the match and advanced to the finals.

On that day one first class fight was included. Since some of the famous fighters did not arrive, there were only four boxers left and the 1000 kyats flag could not be awarded because for the first division flag fight to proceed there must be at least eight boxers participating. Instead the event supervisor made a decision of creating two bouts for four boxers. The loser was to be given 100 kyats and the winner was to be rewarded 200 kyats.

The first match was between Tin Swe Gyi and Pat Ma Sein. They were both experienced and heavily built fighters and they fought slowly, trying not to make a single mistake as they approached with one technique at a time. In the second round, Pat Ma Sein hit Tin Swe Gyi on the jaw with his right fist. But Pat Ma Sein's hand was injured as his hand hit Tin Swe Gyi's teeth. The pain was so agonising to the point Pat Ma Sein could not continue fighting and had to give up. Tin Swe Gyi was awarded a 200 kyats prize.

9-1-1974 - The finals were held on Sunday night. The fourth class (B) grade final was between Dawna (Htee Lan village) and Maung Maung (Tan Phyu Za Yat). In the first round, both fighters avoided making mistakes as they were both looking for an opening. The fighters fought for four rounds straight. Dawna fought calmly and applied his techniques cleverly using his knee, foot, fists, and arms and rained those blows consecutively onto the opponent. Maung Maung got hurt in the first round but he had the endurance to keep on fighting. In the fourth and last round Dawna got dizzy and he could no longer finished the match; Maung Maung was awarded the fourth class (B) grade flag.

Maung Aye and Pyone Pyone Lay had a finals match in the fourth class (A) grade. Amidst the applause of the audience, the fight was really bloody just as two furious tigers killing each other. With Pyone Pyone Lay's right and left combinations, Maung Aye got hurt badly in the second round and gave up. Pyone Pyone Lay became victorious.

Tin Win (Thaton) and Kyan Yit (Phaung Sein village) competed for the third class flag. Tin Win's hand got injured in just the first round of the match, so Kyan Yit from Phaung Sein village easily won the flag.

Aung Myint Sein and Kyal Ni competed for the second class flag. Both the fighters were experienced and they were rivals for a long time. Aung Myint Sein couldn't put up quite a fight as he was already in pain due to his previous matches. In the second round Aung Myint Sein fractured one of his teeth and he could not continue the fight. As a result, Kyal Ni won the second class flag prize easily.

Aung Thein and Win Naing Sein met in a special youth flag fight. Both the fighters fought actively. Win Naing Sein's technique was much more advanced. Aung Thein made sure not to give any opening and delivered killer blows as well. The match became the fans favourite and ultimately won up to three prizes. The fight went on for 45 minutes and as both the boxers did not have any injuries and did not give up, it was ruled a joint victory. This kind of result was very rare in the Myanmar Boxing World and the spirit, perseverance and boxing knowledge of the fighters were quite a wonder.

In the final match, Sakkaw Ma and Moe Kyoe competed in the 1000 Kyats Win or Lose match. Although Sakkaw Ma was heavily built, he could not cope with Moe Kyoe who was an experienced fighter. As soon as the first round started, due to Moe Kyoe's fast punches and kicks, Sakkaw Ma got hurt in the stomach and could not continue fighting. Moe Kyoe easily won the match and enjoyed his victory by showing his lethwei yay to the audience.