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Imre ("Imi") Lichtenfeld (1910 – January 9, 1998) is the founder of the self-defense system Krav Maga.[1] He is also known by the Hebrew calque of his name, Imi Sde-Or.[2]
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Early life
Imre was born to a Hungarian Jewish family in Budapest in the Austro-Hungarian Empire and grew up in Pozsony (now Bratislava). His father, Samuel Lichtenfeld, was a chief inspector on the Bratislava police force and a former circus acrobat.[3] Imi trained at the Hercules Gym, which was owned by his father Samuel who taught self-defense. As a young man, Imi was a successful boxer and wrestler.[2] Imi competed at National and International levels and was a champion and member of the Slovakian National Wrestling Team.
Development of Krav Maga
In the late 1930s, anti-Semitic riots threatened the Jewish population of Bratislava. Together with other Jewish boxers and wrestlers, Lichtenfeld helped to defend his Jewish neighborhood against fascist gangs.[2] He quickly realised that sport has little in common with real combat and began developing a system of techniques for practical self-defense in life threatening situations.
In 1940, Lichtenfeld fled the Nazi occupation of his homeland, heading for Palestine. He arrived there in 1942. He began to teach his combat techniques to the members of the Jewish underground organisations Haganah and Palmach.[3] After the establishment of Israel in 1948, he became the Chief Instructor of Physical Training in the Israel Defense Forces.[2] It was during this time that his system came to be called Krav Maga.[4]
Later life
In 1964, Lichtenfeld retired from the Israeli military. He then modified Krav Maga to fit the needs of police forces and ordinary civilians. He trained teams of Krav Maga instructors who were accredited by him and the Israeli Ministry of Education.[2] He also created the Israeli Krav Maga Association in 1978.[3] Lichtenfeld died in Netanya, Israel at the age of 87.
Combat techniques
Krav Maga is known for its main principles:
- Do as much damage in as little time as possible.
- Change from defending to attacking as quickly as possible (including simultaneously).
- Use items around you as weapons.
- Be aware of everything that is happening around you.
Notes
- ^ Korvo, Kevin (2008-09-30). "Krav Maga: training for self-defense and fitness". Mansfield News Journal. http://www.snponline.com/articles/2008/09/30/multiple_papers/business/allhlkravm_20080930_1144am_3.txt. Retrieved on 2008-10-11.
- ^ a b c d e Brown, Nathan (2007). The Everything Krav Maga for Fitness Book. Adams Media. p. 2. ISBN 1598694243.
- ^ a b c Christophe, Phillipe (2006). The Essential Krav Maga. Blue Snake Books. p. 91. ISBN 1583941681.
- ^ "1948 State of Israel is Formed". Krav Maga Worldwide. http://www.kravmaga.com/hist1948.asp. Retrieved on 2008-10-11.
See also
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