History of Great Master Imrich Lichtenfeld

Imi was born in Budapest in 1910.
Grows in the city of Bratislava capital of Slovakia, where he carries various physical activities, mainly the gymnastics and personal protection taught to him from his father Samuel (instructor of the local police, famous for the many arrests that had done).
Excellent swimmer, gymnast, and fighter, wins the championship in 1928 youth in the fight of Slovakia.

In 1929 becomes National champion of wrestling and boxing, the Senior category, as well as International Champion of gymnastics.
Until 1939 is dedicated mainly to the fight.
Wins dozens of medals and is considered one of the strongest fighters of Europe. Meanwhile the Nazi anti-Semitism increases like a "stain of oil", and Imi organizes a group of young athletes (for most boxers, fighters or culturists) whose task was to protect the Jewish community Local, fighting the
Nazi troops.
He participates in numerous conflict that they are in the spirit he make the difference between sporting fighting and that road.
Hence the basics of Krav Maga.
In 1940 Imi becomes a problem for the local authorities and decides to escape from Bratislava are looking for refuge to the land of Israel (then called Palestine).
Manages to embark on the last ship the Pentcho, that served to carry the last refugees of central to Palestine, but their Odyssey will last 2 years. (all the history of Pentcho is fully described in the book "Odyssey" by John Birman).
Also in the long trip, Imi shows several times its courage, dive his in the sea to save who fell from the ship, or to recover the food, endangering his life. To save a child crashed into the sea, takes a big ear infection, but there it much.
Meanwhile the boiler of the ship burst and must fund near the Greek island of Kamilanisi. Imi decided to reach Crete with a galley and 4 friends, but there will never get. After 5 days spent in the sea, are recovered from a ship from English war, and brought in Egypt. The conditions of Imi are very
serious because of the infection to the ear is Hospital, but the doctors the damage to marketed.
Also in this case Imi manages to react, and after a short time resumes.
Joins the Legion Czech lead by the British Army and the 1-year and a half shall enter in Palestine, presenting itself with its 4 companions to general Yitzhak Sadeh, who led the Hagana (paramilitary organisation Jewish), showing its special qualities in the battle body.
In 1944 becomes the trainer of Hagana, teaching: the physical education, the swimming, the use of the knife, techniques with the bayonet, stick, elimination of the sentinels and combat body.
Teaches to other units of elite as the Palmach and the Palyam.
In 1949 born the State of Israel and the I.D.F. (Israel Defence Force) that Imi will serve for 20 years, refining the Krav Maga.
Retired from the Army, Imi adapts the Krav Maga needs civil (men, women and children) and opens 2 Centres Krav Maga, one in Tel Aviv and one in Netanya.
In 1972, the Krav Maga is recognized by Wingate Institute of Sport and Physical Education, and is integrated in school, in private institutes and the Kibbutz and Moshavim.
In 1978 born the Israeli Krav Maga Association to make known the Krav Maga outside Israel, in which Imi holds the office of chairman.
In 1987 Richard Douieb, is delegate directly from Imi to represent him throughout Europe, in the United States Krav Maga, is known thanks to Darren Levine. Eyal Yalinov in 1996 form the I.K.M.F. (International Krav Maga Federation) to help to make known Krav Maga in the world.
This system that Imi has created is based on the moral values and human, that stress the importance of humility and respect for others.
Up to the last days of his life Imi continued to develop the techniques and concepts of Krav Maga, controlling the progress of all the instructors, them one by one. Imrich (Sde Or) Lichtenfeld died on 9 January 1998 at the age of 87 years and Krav Maga is continuing to spread all over the world
without distinction of race, sex and social class.