 | |
| Company type | Lethwei promotion |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2016 |
| Headquarters | Tokyo, Japan[1] |
Key people | Kakuo Shimizu [2] |
| Owner | Yoshimitsu Mitsui[3] (First On Stage Co., Ltd)[3][4] |
| Website | http://ilfj.or.jp/ |
International Lethwei Federation Japan, also known as ILFJ, is a Japanese Lethwei promotion company with headquarters in Tokyo.[5]
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.[6][7] ILFJ then entered into a partnership with Myanmar businessman Mr. Wunna[8] 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.[9] The first ILFJ event titled Lethwei Grand Prix in Japan 2016,[10] was held on 27 October 2016 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.[5][3]
On April 18, 2017, the Ambassador of Myanmar to Japan attended the first ever Lethwei world title fight headlining two non-Burmese in the sport's history at Lethwei in Japan 3.[11] The event organized by ILFJ featured reigning champion Dave Leduc vs Adem Yilmaz inside the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.[12]
On July 10, 2022, hosted a 10 fights Lethwei tournament named Lethwei Unbeatable in Oyabe, Japan.[13][14][15]
After having an inaugural first event in the Japan in Tokyo (Lethwei Grand Prix 2016), FITE TV[16] signed a multi-year agreement to broadcast the promotion's Lethwei events.[17]
In 2017, the ILFJ signed a broadcasting deal with MNTV[18] to be aired in Myanmar[19] and livestreaming[20] available in Japan on AbemaTV.[21]
| Division | Upper weight limit | Champion | Since | Title defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Openweight | 80 kg (176.4 lb)+ |  Dave Leduc |
June 16, 2017 (Lethwei in Japan 4: Frontier) | 0 |
| Featherweight | 65 kg (143.3 lb) |  Thar A Thae Ta Pwint |
June 16, 2017 (Lethwei in Japan 4: Frontier) | 1 |
| Bantamweight | 60 kg (132.3 lb) |  Yuta Hamamoto |
June 16, 2017 (Lethwei in Japan 4: Frontier) | 0 |
| Women's Featherweight | 62 kg (136.7 lb) |  Julija Stoliarenko |
November 15, 2017 (Lethwei Grand Prix Japan 2017) | 1 |
| 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) |
Vacated March 9, 2019 [23] |
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 declared a draw.
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.
ILFJ utilizes the following weight classes:
| Weight class name | Upper limit | |
|---|---|---|
| in kilograms (kg) | in pounds (lb) | |
| Bantamweight | 60 | 132.3 |
| Featherweight | 65 | 143.3 |
| Welterweight | 70 | 154.3 |
| Middleweight | 75 | 165.3 |
| Openweight | No weight limit | |
