Imrich 'Imi' Lichtenfeld was born on 26 May 1910 in Budapest and raised in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia. He is the founder of Krav Maga - the official self-defence and combat system of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and one of the most effective real-world fighting systems ever developed.
Lichtenfeld was a gifted multi-sport athlete - a wrestler, boxer and gymnast - who began developing his practical fighting system in the late 1930s while defending the Jewish community in Bratislava against fascist gangs. His approach was born from necessity: techniques had to work in real street confrontations, not sport competitions.
After emigrating to the newly founded State of Israel in 1948, he joined the IDF and became the chief instructor of physical fitness and Krav Maga. He refined and systematised the art for two decades before retiring from the IDF in 1964, after which he adapted Krav Maga for civilian use.
He founded the Israeli Krav Maga Association and continued teaching until shortly before his death on 9 January 1998. His system - built on aggression, awareness and ending threats as quickly as possible - is now used by military and law enforcement agencies worldwide.
Lichtenfeld was a gifted multi-sport athlete - a wrestler, boxer and gymnast - who began developing his practical fighting system in the late 1930s while defending the Jewish community in Bratislava against fascist gangs. His approach was born from necessity: techniques had to work in real street confrontations, not sport competitions.
After emigrating to the newly founded State of Israel in 1948, he joined the IDF and became the chief instructor of physical fitness and Krav Maga. He refined and systematised the art for two decades before retiring from the IDF in 1964, after which he adapted Krav Maga for civilian use.
He founded the Israeli Krav Maga Association and continued teaching until shortly before his death on 9 January 1998. His system - built on aggression, awareness and ending threats as quickly as possible - is now used by military and law enforcement agencies worldwide.