Important Note to Readers:
The following is a translated transcript of an interview video conducted in Burmese with Sayar Thaman Kyar. He was the second fighter in history to be recognized as a Lethwei Openweight Champion. This interview was conducted before Sayar Thaman Kyar passed away on January 21, 2025.
The following transcript is presented strictly as a cultural artifact documenting the oral history of a veteran Lethwei athlete.
The information shared by the interviewee consists of personal anecdotes, recollections, and subjective interpretations, and has not been independently verified against historical or medical records.
These were the answers he provided, and this is how he chooses to frame his legacy.
Lethwei World is not responsible for the information included in the transcript. Readers should be aware that these accounts may contain hyperbole and memory discrepancies common in oral narratives, and reflect perspectives rooted in the specific cultural, religious, and historical context of the speaker.
Minor edits have been made in the transcription for clarity, and readability while preserving the speakers’ original words.
Credits of the interview and the original video goes to UK Matchday and interviewer Sayar Nandawun Nyein Chan.
(Chan) – Hello everyone, welcome to the UK Matchday Facebook and YouTube channel. Hello to all the fans as well.
I am currently here in Taikkyi Township. This is Taikkyi Township in the Yangon Region. We are here with a legendary fighter of Myanmar traditional lethwei, a former Myanmar national champion. He holds the record as the longest-reigning champion in Myanmar and was the second national champion to emerge after the great Grandmaster Moe Kyoe. This is Uncle U Thaman Kyar. He is 73 years old.
Fans have been requesting a lot to see and hear from him. After trying to track down his address, we finally managed to get in touch. We have to thank the seniors from the Traditional Lethwei Federation for this. Through U Chit Ko and Uncle U Daung Ni, we have finally reached U Thaman Kyar. We will be asking him the things both the fans and we are eager to know.
Mingalarbar, Uncle.
(Kyar) – Mingalarbar.
(Chan) – We had to do quite a bit of searching to find you. During our inquiries, I was initially under the impression that your health was in severe decline. Because of that, I even wondered if an interview would be possible. After thinking it over, I finally decided to just give you a call. When I did, you sounded incredibly strong. Your voice was firm and cheerful, and I thought to myself that you actually sounded quite healthy! It was only later, when you mentioned your illness, that I understood. So, could you start by telling us a bit about your current health condition?
(Kyar) – At first, I had no idea I had prostate cancer. I never used to pay much attention to minor illnesses. When they inserted the medical tube, I screamed. I yelled so loud the whole ward could hear me. I went to a clinic in Taikkyi for two months, but it didn’t get better. I asked the doctor, “You are a senior physician, and I am Thaman Kyar. Please tell me exactly what is wrong with me.” The cancer had started spreading from there.
From there, I came to Yangon. They ran tests and told me it was prostate cancer. They had to insert a urinary catheter, but I couldn’t stand the bleeding, so I ended up pulling it out. I was going back and forth to the hospital. The injections were intense; they gave me all kinds of shots. Finally, I asked about prostate cancer. “Doctor, I want to know why I didn’t show any prior symptoms.” The doctor asked, “What do you do for a living? Are you a farmer?” I replied, “I don’t farm. I am Thaman Kyar. I fight lethwei.” He was taken aback and said, “Of course I know the famous Thaman Kyar.” Then the doctor told me, “All the physical trauma and injuries you absorbed from fighting are taking their toll on you internally.”
They put me on cancer medication. I have been taking it for 9 months now. For the first 9 months, it was one pill a day. When I went back for a checkup, they increased it to three pills a day. I have been taking three pills a day for two months now.
When other people take this medicine, their hair falls out, they lose weight, and they lose their appetite. As for me, I have experienced none of that. It is by God’s grace. In my life today, the God I worship protects and sustains me. I believed and prayed, “Lord, save me.” I preach and share my faith. Everyday people like me. The seniors might not always favor me, but the youth really like me. The young people tell me, “Uncle Kyar, we draw so much strength from your speeches.”
I have spent a lot of time in hospitals. I had to lay low for over a year and a half. When I go to church, they give me priority and let me preach from start to finish. Looking back at my life today, I fought in so many lethwei matches, well over a hundred. Those injuries definitely add up. When I showed my body, the doctors were shocked. I am still solid, feel this carefully. (The interviewer feels and agrees, “Yes, it is hard, very firm”). The muscle is still firm, even though I am currently unwell.
At that time, when I was questioning the doctor, I was feeling frustrated. I said, “Doc, please don’t be angry with me.” My wife was with me. They asked me to sign a medical consent form, but I refused and had my wife sign it instead. I told him, “Doc, a man only dies once, not twice. The God I worship answers when I call and provides when I ask. My faith teaches that without His will, not even a single sparrow will fall to the ground.”
The doctor understood my perspective. People say that lethwei leaves you with these kinds of underlying injuries. They had to draw blood for testing. A single blood test cost 35,000 kyats, and later it went up to 55,000 kyats. Seeing specialists one after another drains your money. You go in, one person comes in, they take x-rays, they do this and that. I didn’t complain; I just endured it. My associates and friends stepped up to help me out of goodwill. At one point, I said I was going to stop treatment, but they told me, “Please continue your treatment, Sayar Kyar. Our organization will cover everything.” I was so happy to hear that. For my medical expenses, one group gave 5 lakh, another gave 5 lakh. The Lethwei Federation also provided me with funds. If I submit a request to them, they give it; if I don’t, they don’t. To be completely honest, I don’t know if they like me or not. People are just like that. I am a very straightforward person, sayar. I don’t know how to be a yes-man or a follower, and I don’t know how to learn to be one.
(Chan) – Uncle, if that is the case, there is someone we know of, and talking to you connects the dots. We learned that you are a descendant of the great Grandmaster U Shwe Dingar, who was very famous during the British colonial era and fought against English boxers. As far as I know, U Shwe Dingar’s name is recorded in English colonial records. He was from Twantay Township.
(Kyar) – He was exiled to a penal colony from Twantay.
(Chan) – So he was serving time in the penal colony.
(Kyar) – Yes, while serving his time.
(Chan) – Please tell us a little about that.
(Kyar) – I only know about it because my grandmother told me. Otherwise, how would I know? I was just a baby, and he (U Shwe Dingar) had already been dead for a long time. My grandmother told me, “Grandson, among the lethwei fighters in Twantay, there are so many of your grandfather’s grandchildren.” It was only when I went to Twantay and met relatives generation after generation that we realized we were relatives, and they realized I was Thaman Kyar.
(Chan) – So, you actually have a lineage of lethwei fighters.
(Kyar) – I did, yes.
(Chan) – Having that lethwei lineage, when it actually came time to enter the lethwei world… You also worked as a police officer, right?
(Kyar) – Yes, I worked as a police officer.
(Chan) – For how long, Uncle?
(Kyar) – I think it was for about four or five years.
(Chan) – And then you met Grandmaster U Kyar Ba Nyein, right? Please tell us how you met him.
(Kyar) – I was fighting lethwei, just casually fighting in Yangon, showing up with large patches of Thanaka paste on my cheeks. The master said, “Wow, this kid is good, he has potential. I will promote him; I will train him.”
Since I was passionate about it, I was skilled. Dodging, evading, doing it all, pulling, blocking, I mastered everything because I loved the sport. When striking, instead of throwing a direct hit (shows a dodging motion) “whoosh!”, I would strike (shows an elbow strike). He really loved that. Every time I executed those dodges, he completely trusted me as his disciple. He was the one who set up the match with Moe Kyoe. I did not dare to fight him, absolutely not. I was terrified.
(Chan) – Was Moe Kyoe extremely strong?
(Kyar) – He was strong, and when he gripped, oh, you would just get swept away. Okay, so I fought Moe Kyoe. Where was it…
(Chan) – Moe Kyoe was the very first Myanmar national champion at that time, right?
(Kyar) – The champion. Nobody dared to fight him. Lethwei fighters have their own tiers. They would say, “I won’t fight Moe Kyoe, but I will fight Thaman Kyar,” haha, things like that. They said that because they were afraid of Moe Kyoe. When Moe Kyoe gripped, he would use his chin like this, “ungh!” (shows an upward chin strike/headbutt) and hit you. When we grapple, “ungh!”, you cannot do anything. I am just saying this because I remember it fondly. He would say, “Hey, you better watch out, I am going to beat you.” That is fine, we are both lethwei fighters, it is fine, no problem. But eventually, he lost. One time it went 15 rounds in Bago. Another time it went 13 rounds, and another time I forgot how many rounds. We fought three times. I won all three times.
(Chan) – You beat Moe Kyoe all three times?
(Kyar) – But they also ruled it a draw at times. Because it went the full 15 rounds. I fought completely cleanly.
(Chan) – Do you still remember the year you beat Moe Kyoe and became the Myanmar national champion?
(Kyar) – I remember. I was 24. Around 1976 or 1978.
(Chan) – I think it was 1973, Uncle.
(Kyar) – Yes, 1973. On Kayin State Day.
(Chan) – In Hpa-An, right?
(Kyar) – In Hpa-An.
(Chan) – Please share a bit about your experience in that match.
(Kyar) – I was an upcoming youngster. I was strong, incredibly strong. Everyone was amazed; I could lift a grown man like this, just like lifting a child (demonstrates lifting a child).
So when the match with Moe Kyoe was set, Sayar Kyar Ba Nyein told me, “Disciple, you can do this, I know it.” I replied, “Sayar, can I really handle it? Moe Kyoe is famous, he is going to destroy me in the ring.” He said, “Do not worry, your teacher is here.” The supporters were cheering. So, we fought.
In round 2 or 3, I got cut somewhere, I do not know exactly where, but I definitely got cut and scraped a little (points to one of his eyebrows). The doctor said I was fine to continue. We kept fighting, and in round 11, Moe Kyoe fell flat on his stomach, and I went down with him. He fell, and I hit him with an elbow. He could not salvage his pride anymore; he had never experienced anything like that before. But he still did not accept it, so we fought again, and he got hit again. If he chased me, he got hit; if he did not chase, he did not get hit. But if he chased, he got hit with everything. Elbows connected left and right, left and right.
(Chan) – Uncle, your elbow strikes are incredibly famous.
(Kyar) – Oh, very famous. They connect. It is God-given.
(Chan) – Regarding those elbow techniques, who taught them to you?
(Kyar) – My grandfather, father, and uncles taught me. When I went to fight in Twantay, my father and uncles all came along.
(Chan) – Before this interview started, you mentioned you had three special techniques. Please tell us what they are.
(Kyar) – We utilize the “Nine Limbs (Strikes)” in the Myanmar traditional lethwei world. As for my three specific techniques: First, a strike right here (pointing behind his ear). If this spot gets hit, you are finished. The next technique targets right in here (pointing to his throat/Adam’s apple). Honestly, lethwei fighters are not supposed to strike the throat, but occasionally, taking advantage of a slip, it happens. The final one targets the legs. I completely dismantled them. Just one strike and it is over. It is severe.
(Chan) – You kick the lower foundation of the leg, correct?
(Kyar) – I kick with absolutely everything I have. It is not just a standard kick. I use all my strength. It completely dislocates them.
(Chan) – So the knees get dislocated?
(Kyar) – Yes, completely dislocated. Ba Hnit’s knee was hit exactly like that.
(Chan) – Please share your experience fighting Thaton Ba Hnit. He was a massive opponent.
(Kyar) – Absolutely huge. When he clinched, “boom”, I just rolled with the impact, so I took no damage.
(Chan) – Did he grab and throw you?
(Kyar) – Yes, he would grab and throw me, using his massive body weight to crush down on me. I had to dodge. If I failed to dodge, I would be finished. Whenever he created distance and stopped clinching, I relentlessly kicked his legs. It was a 15 round match, sayar, how could he withstand that? He eventually could not even stand up. I fought Ba Hnit many times. He was a giant. Everyone was amazed. Two matches in Dedaye, one in Mawlamyine, one in Thaton, one in Tamu, one in Mandalay. Many matches, so many.
(Chan) – There was a huge weight disparity between you two, right?
(Kyar) – A massive disparity. I was 140 pounds. He was over 200. I was only 140 pounds.
(Chan) – You were only 140 pounds?
(Kyar) – Yes, only 140. Now I am over 200 pounds, of course.
(Chan) – Now, you know the fighter Soe Lin Oo, right?
(Kyar) – I know him.
(Chan) – You were around Soe Lin Oo’s size, in that specific weight class. Yet from that weight class, you stepped up to fight the giants.
(Kyar) – I stepped up and fought them. One thing I observe is that Soe Lin Oo sacrifices his body. He absorbs the hits. I never dared to just take hits. Haha, I was shrewd. I dodged. I dodged to still have my health.
(Chan) – Coming from a background with your master being a true boxing legend, your evasion skills must be incredibly sharp. Soe Lin Oo takes the punches and kicks.
(Kyar) – Exactly, the way he takes hits is brutal. That kid will not live long (laughs). I dare say he will not live very long because he absorbs too much damage. Punching, trading blows, taking hits straight to the head, wow. I feel really sorry for him, I pity him. I would never dare to fight like that. You could call it fighting like a madman, but I would not dare do it. If I get hit, I immediately realize, “Oh, I got hit here,” and I am always careful to not get hit at that spot next time. Once opponents know you are hurt in a specific spot, they will target it again. You cannot allow that. If they raise their guard like this, my leg or hand (demonstrates blocking) strikes right at their ribs, “boom”, making them squeal.
I went abroad to France to fight a French champion. He was incredibly tall! He and I were actually quite friendly. When he met me, he really liked me. So he sent an invitation and covered all expenses. I traveled to Paris with three or four others. He was the champion. He was so tall, satar, that his ribs (points to both sides of his ribs) were at the exact perfect height for my head. I relentlessly hammered those ribs. He screamed “Ah!” and could not continue. Haha, he surrendered. I destroyed his ribs. He was tall, so I targeted his midsection. He never expected it. Once the strikes accumulate, how could anyone endure it? You cannot toughen up your ribs through conditioning, they remain soft. After I defeated the French champion, they gave me so many presents. I was thrilled, of course. Initially, I was scared. Later, in Thailand, I also fought their champion. I struck him down hard. He fell and rolled backward, unable to get back up. When officials went to check on him, he was completely out. They loaded him straight into an ambulance.
(Chan) – Uncle, do you still want to share your memories regarding Thamein Bayan?
(Kyar) – I can certainly talk about it, sayar. During the time I fought Thamein Bayan, I was a police officer. He was famous and highly skilled. Because he was a massive guy, he was very successful. Three of his opponents actually died. When they set up the match and asked if I would fight, I agreed. A massive crowd came to Twantay to watch that match. People were highly interested, buzzing about “Thamein Bayan versus Thaman Kyar.”
(Chan) – He is from Mudon, correct? He traveled from Mudon to compete in Twantay.
(Kyar) – From Mudon. (…) A massive crowd came to watch. During the fight, he collapsed. Nothing happened to me, I was completely fine. Later, I heard the final news that he had passed away.
(Chan) – After fighting you, he had to be hospitalized, right?
(Kyar) – Yes, when he collapsed, he fell like this (demonstrates with his hands). It was not a normal fall, he went down heavily with a loud thud. Before he collapsed, before we even started fighting, I warned him, “Thamein Bayan, do not try any tricks or dark magic. You cannot use that on me. I am a child of God. I rely on and believe in God. Do not dare.” (…)
(Chan) – Uncle, were there any amulets or magical charms involved?
(Kyar) – I did not bring a single one. This is all I had, haha (showing his bare hands). I knew God would protect me. “God, please support and help me.” That was it. (…)
(Chan) – Uncle, as you became the champion and held the title over time, you faced many challenge matches. You fought and defeated opponents one after another. You kept winning and winning. So, how did you eventually lose to Thaton Shwe War Tun?
(Kyar) – I fought Shwe War Tun twice. (It might have been three times).
(Chan) – At that time, you were already getting older, correct?
(Kyar) – I was getting older. I was over 50, maybe 58 or 59.
(Chan) – Really, Uncle? I do not think you were quite that old.
(Kyar) – Ah, sayar, he was 48. There was a gap of about 10 years between us. (Note: He is likely recalling or referencing a Lethwei exhibition match organized by the Myanmar Lethwei World Championship after 2010).
(Chan) – No, at that time, Thaton Shwe War Tun was still young. There is a gap of about 11 years between you and Thaton Shwe War Tun.
(Kyar) – Yes, about a gap of 11 years.
(Chan) – He was probably in his 20s, and you were in your 30s.
(Kyar) – I think that is correct.
(Chan) – So how did you lose to Thaton Shwe War Tun?
(Kyar) – I lost by points. I will not speak definitively about it. I was not completely beaten up. I did not look messed up at all.
As you know how people are, sayar. You are the king in your own country (…). They said I lost by points. I raised objections about whatever they did. I lost on points. They simply wanted to see me lose.
(Chan) – Thaton Shwe War Tun once mentioned something about this. He said he trailed behind you, fighting the opponents you had already faced. If you defeated someone, he would fight them to secure a win as well. He went after your former rivals. Finally, when the time came that he was eligible to fight you, his trainers told him, “You are not ready to fight Thaman Kyar yet. You are skilled, but you must master Western boxing first.” Thaton Shwe War Tun said he had to train specifically in boxing for two years just to prepare to fight you.
(Kyar) – I did not chase him. He kept trying to close the distance. His cornerman was shouting, “Do not do that, do not get close, you will get hit!” They were constantly instructing him from the corner. I was just observing calmly. If he had stepped in, he would have felt the pain. He did not step in (laughs). I feel sorry for him. If he had stepped in, the match would have been over. Since you are filming, I will demonstrate (stands up to act it out for the video). If he committed to coming in just once, the fight was done.
Look here, I set my stance like this. The ring is a square, right? I stood in the center and just tracked him. Tracking, tracking, tracking, tracking. I saw he was trapped in the corner and thought, “Okay, perfect.” I saw the opening, “Okay, bang!” I took a small step forward and struck with everything I had. “Boom!”, he yelled “Ahh!” and he was finished. The impact was extremely loud, you know? My strike was ruthless. “Ahh!”, he was completely done for. Another wonderful thing is that whenever people hear the name Thaman Kyar, they feel affection and send me good wishes. They wonder, “What ethnicity is Thaman Kyar? Is he Kayin, Burmese, or English? With a famous name like Thaman Kyar [Were-Tiger], is he some kind of wild beast?” (…)
(Chan) – Uncle, your real name is Saw Hla Min, right? Who gave you the name “Thaman Kyar”?
(Kyar) – Well, there is quite a lot to unpack there. I personally love the name Thaman Kyar. I broke down the meaning of “Thaman Kyar” for myself like this: First, “Tha” stands for Thutti, meaning courage. “Man” stands for Man Marna, meaning pride and fierce spirit. “Kyar” stands for Kyar Kyar Yar Yar, meaning intensely masculine and strong. That is how I interpreted the name, and that is exactly how I fought. Whenever people hear my name, they know exactly who I am. (…)
(Chan) – After losing to Thaton Shwe War Tun, did you not try to fight him again?
(Kyar) – Me? Of course I tried, sayar. What does that have to do with anything? The loss was by point, sayar. Since it was a points decision, I did not argue. I let them do as they pleased, and I kept my mouth shut. After that, I never fought him again. I fully intended to beat him, sayar. Oh, sorry, my mistake. I did fight him one more time. In Bago. This area (gesturing to a cut above the eyebrow) was split completely open. (…) That was the final time. (…) He was terrified of me, sayar. (…) He was scared. Then they declared Thaman Kyar the winner. “Hey guys, watch closely, there is a lethwei match going on.” That is what it looks like when a lethwei fighter fights purely for points. If we were strictly fighting for points, I could easily run through anyone in the entire country. (…) If they just score it like that, I give up. The decision goes outside the ring, straight to the judges’ table… (…) I actually fought him again another time in Myitkyina. Shwe War Tun again. It went three rounds. (…) I taunted him, “Hey, are you going to fight me? Will you step in?” He did not dare step in. I just held my ground. I grabbed both his knees; he could not stand up or execute any moves. It ended in three rounds, haha. But that was ruled a draw too. In this manner, I have had a massive number of draws. If a match goes the full 15 rounds, they rule it a draw. I put everything on the line myself. I have no idea how they judged it. In lethwei, the officials hold the authority. I even told the promoters regarding the fighters who died, “Hey, you promoters hold responsibility, make sure you pay compensation to the families of the dead.”
(Chan) – Did anyone actually die after fighting you?
(Kyar) – Yes, there were fatalities. In Dawei. The challenge flag was raised, but no one dared to step up and fight me. Since no one dared, I snapped the flag pole and claimed it. There was a guy on the sidelines hyping someone up to take the challenge. I will not mention any names. So, that man fought me. Then his wife… (…) When her husband died, she was crying and weeping, saying, “Didn’t I tell you not to fight Thaman Kyar?” I gave her all the money I had on me. Oh man, I felt absolutely terrible about it.
(Chan) – During that era, the late 1960s and early 1970s, which were your prime years. How much were you paid to fight lethwei back then?
(Kyar) – Ah, the pay was very low. Top tier fighters received 2,000 or 1,000 kyats. We had to fight three people.
(Chan) – You had to fight over three days?
(Kyar) – Three people. Three people in a single day. (…) Sometimes eight people. These were challenge flag matches. We were just filling the venue. Specifically, it was usually a gauntlet of three or four guys. Moe Kyoe, Ba Hnit… (…) Tin Win, Master Tin Win dropped out very early on, he was only second tier. It was Ba Hnit and Moe Kyoe.
(Chan) – Back then, Shwe War Tun was still young, right?
(Kyar) – Oh, he was just a child. Over there, in Hnit Kayin village in Lamaing, the opponent I fought there… wow, he was not a small guy, sayar. Oh, occasionally his strikes sent me flying. When he hit me, I braced against him, but I still got launched. The match dragged on, but eventually, he went down too.
(Chan) – How were you so incredibly strong weighing just over 140 pounds?
(Kyar) – It is exactly what I said earlier, it is because I rely on God. Most people do not readily accept that explanation, but I do. I rely on God. God is almighty, and I firmly believe that.
(Chan) – The reason I ask is because Thaton Ba Hnit was absolutely massive.
(Kyar) – He was huge, terribly strong and ruthless.
(Chan) – Putting Thaton Ba Hnit aside, even Thamein Bayan was significantly taller and larger than you.
(Kyar) – He was tall, very tall. He had an excellent straight jab.
(Chan) – He had a solid stance and a long reach. And U Moe Kyoe must have weighed around 160 or 170 pounds, heavier than you.
(Kyar) – Ah, he was ruthless. Yes.
(Chan) – By today’s standards, they had physical frames similar to fighters like Too Too. Around 170 to 180 pounds, like Shwe Yar Man. Yet you managed to demolish so many of them weighing just over 140 pounds.
(Kyar) – That is correct. Eventually, I reached a solid 150 pounds. As I got older, I gained some weight.
(Chan) – Out of all your opponents, Uncle, who was your favorite? Whether it was the toughest to fight, or the one whose technical skills you admired most, who stands out?
(Kyar) – Sayar, when I fought, I was very relaxed mentally. The opponents who tried to stand their ground and trade blows with me ended up getting knocked out. Down in Kawthaung, in a village called Paloktote, they brought in a top ranked Thai fighter. I cannot recall his name; I have forgotten it. They matched him against me, and he died, sayar. It was an instant death right there in the ring. They pulled him down from the stage and immediately loaded him onto a motorized boat at the dock. There were three Burmese guys there mocking the situation. The Thai side was in complete shock. Afterwards, I was terrified, completely terrified. I cannot remember if Master Kyar Ba Nyein was with me at that time or if Intelligence was involved. We were escorted to the dock alongside Intelligence personnel.
(Chan) – Uncle, how important was Master Kyar Ba Nyein in your career as a lethwei fighter, and as a traditional champion?
(Kyar) – He was everything. He was number one, sayar. Absolute number one. (…) We consulted each other on everything. Ultimately, it was General Khin Nyunt who said, “Change it from 15 rounds to 5 rounds.” (…) 15 rounds is no small thing; keeping it at 5 rounds is better.
(Chan) – Yes, it is 5 rounds now.
Looking back at your career as a lethwei fighter, you became a nationally famous star, and you won the championship in Myanmar’s highest division, holding that title for many years. So, are you happy and satisfied with this journey, living as the traditional lethwei fighter and Myanmar champion, U Thaman Kyar?
(Kyar) – I am satisfied. My personal philosophy is (…) I kept everything strictly disciplined and under control; that is why I won. (…) When I pray, I place everything in the Lord’s hands, saying, “Lord, it is Your will, You take charge.” Once I do that, it is done. If God provides, it is over. The Bible says, “God is my shield.” That is how I view things. He tells me, “Do not be afraid, I am with you.” I also recite, (…) before a fight, “Call to me and I will answer you, and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” I recite those scriptures, and that is it, sayar, I am secure. That is my amulet.
(Chan) – I have heard that in the era you fought, other fighters relied on amulets and dark arts. Is that true, Uncle?
(Kyar) – When I fought the “Sagaing Student,” he was someone who heavily relied on amulets. No one dared to fight him. He had three disciples. The Sagaing Student kept saying, “I am not Thaman Kyar, I am like him.”
Yes, whether he was fake or real, I told him to step up. I challenged him, and we went to Sagaing. (…)
(Chan) – That match in Sagaing was extremely famous. Please tell us about it.
(Kyar) – In that match, I finished one of his disciples in one or two rounds. Then, he stepped up. He stood there with his hands on his hips like this (demonstrates), a dark, thickset man. He said, “I am not Thaman Kyar.” I replied, “Hey, whether you are Thaman Kyar or not, let’s test it out! Referee, let’s go, 15 rounds!” The Township Council Chairman there, I do not remember if it was Khin Maung Lay. He introduced us, and I said, “Sayar, I am just helping raise funds.” I do not know if it went three or four rounds, but he was done. When he reached the hospital, he kept asking, “Hey, did I fight Thaman Kyar? Why am I here?” He had no idea; he lost his memory. He got hit at the third rope, “dong, dong, dong”, it connected (taps his cheek). His cheekbone was broken, and he had to be carried away. Others were laughing, saying, “You fought Thaman Kyar and look what happened.” After that, he was completely humiliated. Later on, he wouldn’t dare fight Thaman Kyar again. He would say, “I will not fight him, I will fight anyone else.” That is how the “Student” was.
(Chan) – In this modern era, traditional lethwei fighters are going abroad to fight. Have you heard about this?
(Kyar) – I have heard, yes.
(Chan) – Are there any fighters you particularly like?
(Kyar) – I like all of them because it involves lethwei. But looking at their fighting styles, I think, “If you fought me, you would only last 3 or 5 rounds.” Even bystanders have told me, “If they fought Thaman Kyar, they would be finished.” Even the monks have said, “Thaman Kyar, do not come and mess with our training, there is no one like you.” The Taung Kalay Sayadaw supported me. He was passionate about lethwei. When I visited his club, he would say, “Do not come, do not come, you are on a completely different level.” (…) I also have compassion, sayar. Before I fight, I pray. In the scripture, it says not to kill, and I have no desire to kill, I have no intent to make them die. I recite those scriptures.
(Chan) – Nowadays, fighters like Soe Lin Oo and Thant Zin are going abroad. I am not sure if you know them. What advice would you give these fighters?
(Kyar) – My advice, which I often gave to Saw Nga Man, is this: Do not lose sleep, do not smoke, and do not engage in foolish behavior.
(Chan) – You never did those things, did you, Uncle?
(Kyar) – I didn’t do any of those. Everyone was surprised. “Oh, we know he is Kayin, and Kayin people are known to drink to death,” they thought, haha. I told them, “Yes, I am a pure Kayin, but I do not drink.” Even among the Kayin, my mother is S’gaw Kayin and my father is Pwo Kayin. I never drank. If I drank alcohol, who would hire me? It wouldn’t work. When lethwei fighters like Kyaung Tayar drank, I would discipline them and tell them not to drink. If alcoholic lethwei fighters came to stay with me, they wouldn’t dare to drink.
(Chan) – So, after your era, the Myanmar champion became Thaton Shwe War Tun. Then it was passed down step by step to Shwe Du Wun, Wanchai, Shan Lay Thway, Shwe Saing, Lone Chaw, Saw Nga Man, Tun Tun Min, and Thway Thit Win Hlaing. Among those fighters who are all Myanmar champions, making it 11 in total, apart from yourself, who do you like the most?
(Kyar) – I already told you, didn’t I? If they fight like this against me, they are finished, I said. Haha. Finished, finished. Ah, someone like Soe Lin Oo is so brave, but against me, he would be finished. One elbow strike, and he’s gone; how could he withstand it? He is human, not wood. There are others too. (…) I told them, “If you are going to fight like this, don’t do it.” Also, there was someone from Mandalay, Phoe Kay. I am friends with his father. I told him and showed him, “Fight like this, like this.” He fought as I told him. Not bad, that kid is good. In the end, if your technique is wrong, you will fail.
(Chan) – He didn’t become a Myanmar champion, though. But there is another lethwei fighter loved by the whole country, Tway Ma Shaung.
(Kyar) – There are two Tway Ma Shaungs, you know. The Indian Tway Ma Shaung and the Kayin-Burmese Tway Ma Shaung. The one fighting currently is the current Tway Ma Shaung. The Tway Ma Shaung who passed away was my opponent.
(Chan) – I mean the currently fighting Tway Ma Shaung. Have you watched his matches, Uncle?
(Kyar) – I haven’t watched them. I haven’t watched those kinds of matches for a long time. Also, I have been sick with illnesses.
I was sick for over a year, almost two years.
(Chan) – When did you retire from being a lethwei fighter, Uncle?
(Kyar) – I retired at 60 and went to Bible school. With matters of faith and (…). It was the final bullet, you see. I succeeded.
(Chan) – You were still fighting before that?
(Kyar) – Of course I fought. I fought until I was 59, sayar. I was strong, and everyone was amazed. I would dodge, I would evade, and when I struck and landed a hit, they would just fly away, sayar.
(Chan) – Yes, Uncle. By doing this, we from UK Matchday are connecting you with the fans and putting you back in their hearts, just in case they might have forgotten. Some haven’t forgotten, but for those who do not know, we came to interview you so they will know. Thank you very much for accepting and meeting with us.
(Kyar) – Thank you very much. Amen, Hallelujah.
