Founder Dave Leduc & Leduc Lethwei
Leduc Lethwei is built on the vision of its founder, Dave Leduc, a pioneer who helped bring the ancient Burmese art of Lethwei onto the global stage. Known for his fearless, all-in fighting style, Dave embraced the raw essence of Lethwei, where fists, elbows, knees, feet, and headbutts are all weapons.
Through Leduc Lethwei, he aims to preserve the authenticity of this brutal sport while evolving it for a modern, international audience. His mission is simple: honor tradition, push boundaries, and showcase the true spirit of “The Art of 9 Limbs ” around the world.
Lethwei is the most brutal sport on earth, and the most efficient striking system ever created. Every limb is a weapon. This is a millennia-old fighting art, forged in war and carried by warriors. It’s an honor to represent it and bring it to the world.
Sayagyi Dave Leduc, Founder of Leduc Lethwei – 6-time Openweight Lethwei World Champion
Dave Leduc didn’t just win in Lethwei — he took over a sport no outsider was supposed to conquer.
In 2016, he became the first non-Burmese fighter in history to capture the legendary Golden Belt, breaking a thousand-year stronghold in the most brutal striking art on earth. Two days later, he doubled down on the moment, marrying his wife, Irina Terehova, in a traditional ceremony in Yangon, broadcast live to over 30 million people.
From there, he took Lethwei global. In 2017, he brought the sport to Japan, winning the Openweight World Title in Tokyo and opening the door for international expansion. Then in 2019, he captured the inaugural Cruiserweight World Title at the World Lethwei Championship, cementing his place at the top.
Inside the ring, he’s known for precision elbows, relentless endurance. Outside of it, he’s focused on charity, working alongside his wife to support children in Myanmar and traveling the world to teach his system.
Through Leduc Lethwei, he’s bringing the Art of 9 Limbs to a global audience — unfiltered, unapologetic, and exactly as it was meant to be.
In 2017, he founded Leduc Lethwei as a way to teach the world about the Art of 9 Limbs.