Trouble in the World of Krav Maga

According to an article in Forward , Grandmaster Haim Gidon, a top ranking krav maga practitioner, is angry. The reason?

When Krav Maga founder Imi Lichtenfeld died in 1998, some of his disciples formed rival organizations that he believes aren’t being completely truthful with the public.

Lichtenfeld developed his style of fighting for the street in Czechoslovakia in order to protect against fascists that would do harm just before World War II. Later, he brought the art to Israel where it became a part of military training. Gidon, then a soldier, became one of his top students. For the most part, there have been four main krav maga organizations in the United States that were connected to four Israeli groups. Unfortunately, many of these groups are suggesting that the authenticity of the other groups is lacking.

“They all say they are the originals,” Gidon said through a translator. “But if you say you are the originals, show us your proof!”

There have even been lawsuits regarding the use of the term “krava maga” that were brought by the head of Krav Maga Worldwide, Darren Levine (a federal court judge ruled that the term couldn’t be trademarked).

When things like this happen, it’s hard to figure out what’s what, which means that those who would sign up to learn krav maga as a valid martial art may become confused. Of course, that’s bad for everyone associated with it. Unfortunately, this seems to happen in all styles to varying degrees. And according to some strong proponents of krav maga, there is no end in sight to the conflict at this time.