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