| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | between sport and street fighting. |
| A Martial art devloped in Israeli, Krav Maga means | | | | In the 1930s Germany was a dangerous place for |
| "contact combat" in Hebrew. Krav Maga continues to | | | | Jews. Imis fighting to protect his family and neighbors |
| be defined through actual modern combat and real | | | | became unpopular with the local police. He was |
| world self-defense experiences. | | | | ordered to leave his homeland in 1940. |
| This martial arts style is currently used by the Israeli | | | | He traveled for several years finally ending up in Israel |
| Defense Forces (IDF) and their military Special Forces. | | | | which was then Palestine. Imi soon joined the a |
| In the United States Krav Maga is used by members | | | | paramilitary organization known as Haganah and |
| of the NYPD, FBI and the US Armed Forces. Many | | | | fought to create the state of Israel. |
| other elite military and police units around the world | | | | During this period he began teaching soldiers martial |
| incorporate Krav Maga. | | | | arts and basic self defense techniques. The Israeli |
| Krav Maga is becoming a poopular martial art if the | | | | government asked Imi to develop an effective fighting |
| U.S. | | | | system. Imi became the chief instructor for the military |
| Today, Krav Maga is taught to men, women and | | | | school for physical training. |
| children of all ages. In Israel this martial arts style has | | | | Imi continually developed and refine this unique system |
| become part of the educational system. | | | | combat system. Israel was in a constant state of war |
| Imi Lichtenfeld the founder of Krav Maga was born in | | | | with its neighbors. The techniques he developed were |
| Hungary and grew up in Bratislava. As a young adult | | | | constantly being put to use and tested in real combat |
| he won national and international awards in gymnastics, | | | | scenarios. |
| boxing and wrestling. | | | | After his retirement from the military Imi devoted his |
| Imis father was a police officer and self defense | | | | time and energy to adapting Krav Maga to everyday |
| instructor. During the 1930s Imi honed his fighting skills | | | | life. The system spread rapidly to the civilian population |
| on the streets a Bratislava, protecting himself and | | | | and is now rapidly being accepted through out the |
| Jewish neighbors against anti Semitic thugs. These | | | | world. |
| fights sharpened his awareness of the difference | | | | |