# International Lethwei Federation Japan

International Lethwei Federation Japan, also known as ILFJ, is a Japanese Lethwei promotion company with headquarters in Tokyo.

## History

In 2016, the ILFJ acquired a ‘’Grade-A’’ promoter licence from the Myanmar Traditional Lethwei Federation, allowing them to organize traditional Lethwei events in Japan. ILFJ then entered into a partnership with Myanmar businessman Mr. Wunna CEO of Myanmar Media Group (MMG), the organizer of the Myanmar Lethwei World Championship, to share fighters and co-organize the Lethwei events in Japan. The first ILFJ event titled Lethwei Grand Prix in Japan 2016, was held on 27 October 2016 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
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. The event organized by ILFJ featured reigning champion Dave Leduc vs Adem Yilmaz inside the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.
On July 10, 2022, hosted a 10 fights Lethwei tournament named Lethwei Unbeatable in Oyabe, Japan.

## Media coverage

After having an inaugural first event in the Japan in Tokyo (Lethwei Grand Prix 2016), FITE TV signed a multi-year agreement to broadcast the promotion's Lethwei events.
In 2017, the ILFJ signed a broadcasting deal with MNTV to be aired in Myanmar and livestreaming available in Japan on AbemaTV.

## Events

| # | Event | Date | Venue | Location |
| 16 | Lethwei Unbeatable | February 22, 2022 | Oyabe Arena | Oyabe, Japan |
| 15 | Lethwei in Japan 15: Kizuna | February 22, 2020 | Edion Arena | Osaka, Japan |
| 14 | Lethwei in Japan 14: Mysterious Tenmei | November 2, 2019 | Korakuen Hall | Tokyo, Japan |
| 13 | Lethwei in Japan 13: First Intention | July 25, 2019 | Korakuen Hall | Tokyo, Japan |
| 12 | Lethwei in Japan 12: Proof of the Brave | May 17, 2019 | Korakuen Hall | Tokyo, Japan |
| 11 | Lethwei in Japan 11: Millennium Force | February 27, 2019 | Korakuen Hall | Tokyo, Japan |
| 10 | Lethwei in Japan 10: Inori | November 14, 2018 | Korakuen Hall | Tokyo, Japan |
| 9 | Lethwei in Japan 9: Kodo | September 13, 2018 | Korakuen Hall | Tokyo, Japan |
| 8 | Lethwei in Japan 8: Samurai | June 29, 2018 | Korakuen Hall | Tokyo, Japan |
| 7 | Lethwei in Japan 7: Yuki | February 21, 2018 | Korakuen Hall | Tokyo, Japan |
| 6 | Lethwei Grand Prix Japan 2017 | November 15, 2017 | Korakuen Hall | Tokyo, Japan |
| 5 | Lethwei in Japan 5: Nexurise | September 28, 2017 | Korakuen Hall | Tokyo, Japan |
| 4 | Lethwei in Japan 4: Frontier | June 16, 2017 | Tokyo Dome City Hall | Tokyo, Japan |
| 3 | Lethwei in Japan 3: Grit | April 18, 2017 | Korakuen Hall | Tokyo, Japan |
| 2 | Lethwei in Japan 2: Legacy | February 16, 2017 | Korakuen Hall | Tokyo, Japan |
| 1 | Lethwei Grand Prix Japan 2016 | October 27, 2016 | Korakuen Hall | Tokyo, Japan |

## List of champions

| 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 |

### World championship history
#### Openweight Championship

    No Weight limit: 80 kg (176.4 lb) and up
| 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 |

## Rules

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.

### Rounds

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.

### Weight classes

ILFJ utilizes the following weight classes:
| Weight class name | Upper limit | Upper limit |
| Weight class name | 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 | No weight limit |

## Notable fighters

* Dave Leduc
* Tun Lwin Moe
* Tun Tun Min
* Too Too
* Saw Nga Man
* Soe Lin Oo
* Shunichi Shimizu
* Julija Stoliarenko
* Vero V.Rujirawong