Martial arts traditions and fighting sports have always been an integral part of life in Myanmar (Burma). Lethwei, the art of bare-knuckle fighting is an age-old tradition that has been quietly maintained in rural villages throughout Myanmar for centuries. In ancient times, Lethwei was used as preparation for war and survival. It also served as a rite of passage for boys transitioning into adulthood. Hidden from the rest of the world for many years, Lethwei like Myanmar itself is experiencing a revival and rediscovery both at home and abroad. Lethwei is considered one of the most aggressive and powerful fighting arts in the world. Lethwei, known as the art of nine limbs, allows the use of fists, feet, elbows knees, and the head. In all other kickboxing styles, head butts are illegal, but Lethwei recognizes the head as essential to a complete and effective offense. Among the Myanmar people, it is a widely accepted belief that Myanmar monks developed Lethwei around the 3rd century for discipline and self-defense. Inscriptions on temple walls in the ancient city of Bagan provide archaeological and historical evidence that establishes Lethwei around 800 A.D... Ancient royal chronicles and other written records show the sport of Lethwei became increasingly popular during the 10th century A.D. when the warrior King, Anawratha, defeated the neighboring territories. During the reigns of the Nyaungyan dynasty (16th century) and King Alaungpaya (18th century), Lethwei spread to Myanmar’s neighboring countries through the conquests of the neighboring kingdoms. From 1044 to 1885, highly skilled boxers were designated “Royal Boxers,” and their names were recorded on the royal treasury roles. Historically, there was no round system, time limits, or weight classes. Kicks, punches, elbows, knees, head butts, holds, and throws were permitted. Lethwei was banned by the British from 1886 until 1948. In spite of this, Lethwei and the other traditional Myanmar fighting arts did not disappear among the Myanmar people. Rather, Lethwei and other Myanmar fighting arts were maintained by concealing them as dances or cultural traditions during festivals, especially in the Shan and Karen States. Lethwei also remained an active sport in the rural villages where it was quietly propagated and kept alive. After World War II Lethwei began to see a steady revitalization. During this period of restoration and up to the present day, Lethwei has been able to maintain its traditions as well as offer adaptations to make it more commercially appealing. From its traditional practice with few rules in the dirt circles of rural villages to the more modern context in major cities with full-size rings, the practice of Lethwei has persevered. The sport got a modern update in the 1950s when boxer Kyar Ba Nyein formalized the rules and brought awareness of the sport to the contemporary stage.

Mall-yuddha or Malla-kridha is the traditional South Asian form of combat-wrestling, today is commonly known as ‘Kushti’ in India. Word ‘mall’ in Sanskrit means "wrestler" or "fighter" and yuddha means "combat." Thus, ‘mall-yuddha’ literally means “wrestling combat”, and ‘mall’ or ‘malla’ in its origin was a title awarded to fierce and courageous fighters. Mall-yuddha is the combat version while Mall-krida is the sport version. Matches were traditionally codified into four types which progressed from purely sportive contests of strength to actual full-contact fights known as Yuddha. Malla-yuddha incorporates grappling, joint-breaking, punching, biting, choking, and pressure point striking. It is divided into four styles, each named after Hindu gods and legendary fighters: - Hanumanti concentrates on technical superiority while - Bhimaseni focuses on sheer strength. - Jambuvanti uses locks and holds to force the opponent into submission, - Jarasandhi concentrates on breaking the limbs and joints. Due to the extreme violence, this final form is generally no longer practiced. The second form, wherein the wrestlers attempt to lift each other off the ground for three seconds, still exists in south India. Mallyuddha in South Asia has a history of at least 5000 years making it the oldest known codified form of fighting in the region. Competitions held for entertainment were popular among all social classes, with even kings and other royalty taking part. Wrestlers represented their kings in matches between rival kingdoms; deathmatches before the royal court served as a way to settle disputes and avoid large-scale wars. As such, professional wrestlers were held in high regard. In pastoral communities, people would even wrestle against steers. Traditional Indian wrestling first began to decline in the north after the medieval Muslim invasions when influences from Persian wrestling were incorporated into native malla-yuddha. Under the Mughal rule, courtly fashion favoured the Persianate pehlwani style. Traditional malla-yuddha remained popular in the south, however, and was particularly common in the Vijayanagara Empire. The descendants of the Jyesti clan continued to practice their ancestral arts of malla-yuddha and vajra-musti into the 1980s but rarely do so today. Mallayuddha has survived in south India however, and can still be seen in Karnataka and pockets of Tamil Nadu today.

Silat is a combative art of self-defense and survival rooted in the Malay Archipelago. Traced back to the early days of the Langkasuka Kingdom, Silat has evolved into a fine practice of physical and spiritual training also encompassing traditional Malay attire, Silat musical instruments, and customs. There are many styles of Silat, inspired by the movements of human anatomy, nature, and animals. For example, Silat Harimau involves an aesthetic rhythmic motion imitating the art of self-defense and the attack of the tiger. In Malaysia alone, there are more than 150 known Silat styles whose names derive from natural elements such as animals and plants. Originally, Malay Silat was practiced by warriors – as noble enforcers of justice – but nowadays practitioners consist of masters, gurus, teachers, and students, who are responsible for maintaining the practice. Training sessions usually take place in the evening or at night in an open space such as a courtyard, led by the Master and ‘Jurukaka’. A large number of practitioners have been trained and nurtured, and an increasing number of training centers have been established in various regions. With this accelerated dissemination, the practice has increasingly transcended its status as a martial art to become a performing art; consequently, it is now a popular sport for health and leisure.

In Hebrew, Krav Maga means “contact combat”, and it is self-defense with the practical counterattack. It is a modern martial art created with an emphasis on displaying the best efficiency needed for survival in a real crisis and aims for martial arts that are easy to teach and learn. If other martial arts compete for strength and skill under equal conditions of each opponent, Krav Maga aims to overcome the situation in which is placed at a disadvantage. Thanks to the conscription system, all Israeli citizens(including women) who are obliged to serve two to three years in the military are learning basic Krav Maga skills. Imrich “Imi” Lichtenfeld(אימריך “אימי” ליכטנפלד), the founder of Krav Maga, is a Hungarian Jew who has done various sports, including boxing, wrestling, and gymnastics. His father, then a police officer, was also teaching other police officers self-defense techniques, so he learned practical techniques from his father and organized these factors to develop Krav Maga. He began instructing Jews living in Bratislava against war and fascism. When Israel was founded, he moved to Israel and served as a senior instructor at the Israeli military and police. After retirement, he taught Krav Maga to ordinary citizens, and this martial art became widely known.