A Brief Introduction on Krav Maga
Krav Maga is a type of martial art that was developed in Israel by its founder, Imi Lichtenfeld. Imi Lichtenfeld was born in Hungary in 1910 and grew up in the rough streets of Bratislava. He was a prominent member of the community, protecting himself and his neighbours from anti-Semitic thugs. He continued on to become a member of a paramilitary organization, and further developed his self defence techniques from practical experience.
In 1948, Imi Lichtenfeld became the Chief Instructor of Physical Fitness and Krav Maga for the Israeli Defence Force, where he taught soldiers his techniques for the battlefield.
In 1964, he modified some techniques and movements in Krav Maga so that it could be a martial art suitable for civilians. The martial art still stressed efficiency in defence, but were altered slightly so they would not as lethal as those used on the battlefield.
Imi Lichtenfeld passed away in 1998. Following his death, a number of organizations were formed.
What does Krav Maga Mean?
In Hebrew, krav means close while maga means contact. Therefore, Krav Maga means “close combat/contact”. It is used by the Israeli Security Forces, as well as many other security forces, bodyguards and law enforcement organizations worldwide. Krav Maga has also become a popular martial art for civilians. There are a number of Krav Maga clubs that exist in almost every country in the world.
Many believe that this martial art is truly a practical self defence system. Krav Maga was developed from real experiences and refined by real experiences.