Imi Lichtenfeld
Grandmaster / Imi Sde-Or
Slovak-born native of Bratislava and founder of the globally renowned self-defense system Krav Maga.
Quick Facts
Date of Birth5/26/1910
Date of Death1/9/1998
Era20th century
Country of OriginSlovakia / Israel
Rank / TitleFounder of Krav Maga
Active Years1930s–1998
Biography
Imrich Imi Lichtenfeld grew up in Bratislava, combining boxing and wrestling in street defenses. Emigrating to Israel, he synthesized military and civil Krav Maga for real-world survival.
Associated Martial Arts
Civilian Krav MagaFounder→
The civilian form of Israeli self-defence, adapted by Imi Lichtenfeld for ordinary people after he left the army. It has had its own association since 1978.
Krav MagaFounder→An Israeli self-defence system aimed at fast, simple responses to real danger rather than at competition.