Swimmers trained by Mr. Matsuda in 1959 include Derek Lynsdale (backstroke), Aye Kyaw (Hla Yee Yee’s cousin) and Willie Huie (breast-stroke). A few years ago saw photo of Thet Win at Kokine Swimming Club, and Aung Than who is working as swim coach in Bangkok. Derek Lynsdale’s mother was a Lecturer at Rangoon University who moved to a university in East Africa subsequent to military coup in 1962. Aye Kyaw was Tin Maung Ni’s deputy in the Burma Navy.
Thaing is a generic name for Burmese/Myanmar Martial Arts.
Thaing comprises of (a) Bando (unarmed combat Thaing) and (b) Banshay (armed combat Thaing).
There are various schools of Thaing.
One famous school was started by U Pyi Thein. He was familiar with other martial arts. He translated/adapted a book on selected martial arts around the world. An unconventional one is called “Naga Ngway Thaing” where the practitioner “emits” a “horrible” smell that can knock out people.
U Chit Than succeeded U Pyi Thein as head of their Thaing movement.
Some Thaing sayas are experts in other disciplines.
U Po Kyaw Myint was a University Lecturer in Burmese. His pen name is Myan Sar Gon Kyaw Myint.
U Mya Thein is a lawyer. He also starred in the movie “Thadin Kyut Tat Myee” along side Jolly Swe.
U San Maung taught Academy Nyunt Win for “Bando Lugalay Hnit Thuzar”. He also performed stunt in several movies.
Ko Min Din was a high school Luyechun. He along with Ko Aung Thein and Ko Myint Thein performed Thaing demos at YTU and other schools.
Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt (M60) served as President of the RIT Thaing Association. Dr. Tun Aung Gyaw (EC69) served as Joint Secretary.
There is also a school called “Thaing Byaung Byan” (literally meaning “Reverse Thaing”).
Dr. Khin Maung U (SPHS63) wrote :
Had a chance to treat “Thaing Byaung Byan” U Maung Lay in Wards 19&20, Yangon Hospital, in the 1970s. Can’t recall his illness. His school of martial arts handle and weapons (e.g., sticks, spears, etc.) in an eccentric manner (i.e., not in a balanced manner, holding one side longer than the other), and by so doing, confuses the usual martial arts fighters.
Ma Khin Myat (Susan) was from the first batch of female students who joined the Rangoon University Boat Club (RUBC).
Represented the Institute of Economics and RUBC.
Micro-meeting
Met her at Dhammanda Vihara, Half Moon Bay, California.
Told Uzin Kondannadhaja (U Chan Min, de facto leader of the Eco Rowing teams, resident monk since his retirement) that she had to take care full time for her ailing husband.
Trip to Myanmar
One day, she requested time off from her husband to visit Myanmar and to do meritorious deeds.
Sad to say, she passed away in Myanmar
Samvega
People, who take care of their ailing loved ones, can be stressed out physically and mentally.
RU Athletes who represented Burma at the Second SEAP Games
Photo provided by Dr. Richard Yu Khin
The 2nd SEAP (South East Asia Peninsular) Games was held in Rangoon in December 1961.
Aung San Stadium was the main venue for Track & Field and Soccer.
Swimming, Diving and Water Polo contests were held at the Amyotha Yay Koo Kan (National Swimming Pool) on U Wisara Road.
Dean U Yu Khin Chairman of the Sports Promotion Committee.
U Tin Maung Swe Former Burma Selection for Volleyball Secretary of the Sports Promotion Committee.
Dr. Ko Ko Lay Chairman of the University Sports Council.
Rangoon University Athletes, who represented Burma in the SEAP Games, include :
Tun Mra, Kyaw Mra, Soe Mra and Tun Naung (Athletics)
Maung Hla and Thida (Badminton)
Nyan Min (Basketball)
Derek Lynsdale and Aye Kyaw (Swimming)
Mao Toon Siong and C. Say Eng (Table Tennis)
Joe Ba Maung, Than Lwin and Mu Mu Khin (Tennis)
Kyaw Han (Volleyball)
Myo Nyunt (Weightlifting)
Richard Yu Khin (Yachting)
Athletics
Burma Track & Field Selected for Second SEAP Games
Photo : provided by U Tun Mra
In Track and Field, Burma placed first in the medal standings.
Tun Mra and Tun Naung won Gold in the 4×100 m relay with Soe Win (Burma Champion) as anchor. They also competed in the First SEAP Games in Bangkok in 1959.
Tun Mra was interviewed for the Documentary for RU Diamond Jubilee Celebrations. Captain of RU Track and Field. Eldest son of U Shwe Mra. He and five younger brothers are Burma Selected.
Kyaw Mra (GBNF) won Silver in the Hurdles. Later joined SPED and served as National Coach. Second son of U Shwe Mra.
Soe Mra won the Pole Vault. Also won in a subsequent SEAP Games. Third son of U Shwe Mra.
Badminton
Maung Hla represented Burma since his Moulmein College days
Thida was absent at the Photo Shoot
Basketball
Nyan Min was absent at the Photo Shoot
Swimming
In Swimming, Burma placed first in the medal standings.
Tin Maung Ni (former RU Champion, Navy) won 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 4x100m freestyle relay, and 4×100 medley relay. His team mates won the other events.
Aye Kyaw (cousin of Dr. Hla Yee Yee) and Derek Lynsdale represented Burma in swimming. Aye Kyaw joined Burma Navy. Derek’s mother is a Professor.
Table Tennis
Mao Toon Siong National Champion for Singles and Doubles in Table Tennis. Competed in SEAP, Asian Games and World Championship Joined Mechanical Engineering Department, RIT Managed and coached the RIT team which won the Inter-Institute Trophy. Later served as National Coach.
C Say Eng was absent at the Photo Shoot
Tennis
Joe Ba Maung National Singles Champion in Tennis. National Men’s Doubles Champion with Than Lwin. National Mixed Doubles Champion with Sayama Daw Ruby Kha. Taught English at RIT. Joined Burma Railways. Victim of 8-8-88
Than Lwin Succeeded Joe Ba Maung as the Singles Champion.
Mu Mu Khin (Daphne Tha Dok) National Ladies Champion Later married Than Lwin.
Volleyball
Kyaw Han Won Gold with the Burma team Was absent at the Photo Shoot
Weightlifting
Myo Nyunt Father : Founding member of Kaya Bala movement in Burma Was interviewed for the Documentary for RU Diamond Jubilee Celebrations.
Yachting
Richard Yu Khin Won Gold in Yachting with U Maung Maung Lwin (former Weightlifting Champion, Commodore of Rangoon Sailing Club).
Comments
U Tun Mra was interviewed by U Tin Nyo and team (BERB) for the RU Sports Documentary for the RU Diamond Jubilee. He was Captain of the RU Track and Field. He and his two younger brothers and Tun Naung competed in 1st SEAP and 2nd SEAP Games (and more).
Edward Maung wrote : I remember both SEAP Games in Rangoon.I was about an early teen or a tween during the 1961 SEAPGames in YGN. I remember some of the athletes in the above picture. The three Mra brothers (Tun Mra, Kyaw Mra and Soe Mra, Tun Naung (Noel Tin), Ko Than Lwin ( Tennis). I didn’t know them personally except for Ko Than Lwin. I had seen them in person on a few occasions in my teen years.
Saya U Maung Maung Than (Tex, GBNF) was Chairman of RIT Sports Committee.
U Maung Maung Than
Saya U Thein Lwin (EE, GBNF) was President of RIT Badminton Association.
U Thein Lwin (Seated 3rd)
Inter-Institute Tournament
RIT won the trophy
RIT Badminton 1RIT Badminton 2
Sai Kham Pan (EC69) was Burma Selected. He would bring back shuttle cocks, which were “still good” but discarded at the Training Camp, for his hostel mates. He was then Number Two in Singles, and Number One in Doubles with Kyi Nyunt (Sagaing, Burma Champion). Due to tight schedules for some tournaments overseas, he had to take books along to study for the examinations.
He had excellent foot work and strong wrists. He needed training partners at RIT. Ko Myint Sein (M69, GBNF) was his partner in training and in competition. Ko Khin Maung Win (Sargalay, EP69, GBNF) was his “reliable” training partner. SKP would give Sargalay 10+ bonus points for the 15 point game.
Bishnu Shasi (EE69er, GBNF) was also a good Badminton player.
Tommy Shwe (1st BE Intake of 64, GBNF) was also a good player. He left RIT before graduation to Taiwan and later moved to USA.
There was another student, couple of years behind, who played badminton and also a long distance runner. I believe he’s from Textile. Unfortunately, I could not recall his name. We used to hand out at Athletic officer Ko Maung Maung’s office in those days.
Myee Tun Naw was Burma and SEAP Champion for Marathon.
Mra Brothers
The Mra brothers — Tun Mra (sprint), Kyaw Mra (hurdles) and Soe Mra (Pole Vault) — represented Burma in the 1st and 2nd SEAP Games. They won Gold and Silver Medals.
1969 SEAP Games
Sumbwegan was Burma and SEAP Champion for 5000 and 10000 meters. He succeeded Myee Tun Naw as Marathon Champion.
Jimmy Crampton was Burma and SEAP Champion for 1500 meters.
Gracie Carr, Ma Tin Pu, Ma Khin Htay, and Jennifer Tin Lay were Burma Champions in Track and Field.
Boxing
Kyar Ba Nyein was a Boxing Champion in the early days. He trained several boxers who became National Champions.
Thein Myint and Tin Tun were Burma Boxing Champions. They represented Burma in SEAP, Asian Games and Olympics.
Judo
Many Judo champions were from the Army.
Myint Lwin (Charlie) and Tin Maung Aye were RU and Burma Champions
Rowing
The list of RUBC Golds can be found in the 90th Anniversary Issue of the founding of RUBC.
There is a Facebook group for YUBC Old Members.
U Tin Htoon and Dr. Harry Saing won the Venables Bowl for coxless pairs at the 1958 ARAE Regatta in Calcutta.
ARAE Champions
U Tin Htoon, Dr. Harry Saing, Victor Htun Shein, Sunny Teng and U Sein Htoon won the Willingdon Trophy for coxed fours at the 1960 ARAE Eegatta in Colombo.
Soccer
Suk Bahadhur played soccer for Shan States, Army and Burma. He was Captain of the Burma Selected. He was also chosen as a Asian All Star.
Other Asian All Stars include
Maung Maung
Khin Maung Tun (Goal)
Tin Aung (Goal)
Swimming
Tin Maung Ni (GBNF) swam for Rangoon University, Navy and Burma. He won several Gold Medals at the SEAP Games and the Asian Games.
Table Tennis
Mao Toon Siong
Saya Mao Toon Siong (M62) was Burma Singles and Doubles Champion in Table Tennis. He represented Burma in SEAP, Asian Games and Wold Championship. He served as Coach of the National Table Tennis team.
Tennis
Joe Ba Maung (GBNF) was Burma Singles Champion in Tennis. He was Burma Doubles Champion with Than Lwin. He was Mixed Doubles Champion with Sayama Ruby Kha.
Than Lwin succeeded Joe Ba Maung as Burma Singles Champion. His spouse Mu Mu Khin represented RU and Burma in the Second SEAP Games.
Later, Maung Maung Lay (Ah Pu Lay) became Burma Singles Champion in Tennis. He was Burma Doubles Champion with Than Htut.
Ba Than Nyunt wrote :
(U) Tin Maung Ni won Gold medals not only in SEAP games but also in two successive Asian Games. If my recall is right, he is from Bhan Maw, Kachin State.
KMZ wrote :
Jimmy Crampton is an OP, Old Paulian. If my memory serves me one of his running partners was non other than our own Dr. Rafiul Ahad, ex-UCC.
Dr. Richard Yu Khin wrote :
I was on the swim team with Tin Maung Ni who is a gentleman. Ten of us were trained by Mr. Matsuda who was on the Japanese national swim team. Mr. Matsuda was manager of a Japanese company in Rangoon. He made us swim six 50 metres sprints, with one minute interval. The time difference for the 1st and 6th sprints — the decline curve should be limited. This was the first time we had scientific training in swimming. Tin Maung Ni was the only Asian, other than Japanese, to win a gold medal in swimming at the Asian Games. The US Embassy provided a goodwill tour of USA for Tin Maung Ni. He is from the Kachin State.
Old members of Rangoon University Boat Club (RUBC) are fondly known as Old Crocs (or Crocodiles).
They cherish the motto “Row till you are dead” and the RUBC Song “Pull long and steady …”.
FEARA Regatta
During our RUBC days, there was an “Old Members Race” at the Monsoon and Annual Regattas.
The contestants range from young Old Members to the iconic Past Champions.
Some Old Crocs notably U San Maung (Gerald, GBNF) and Dr. Htut Saing (Harry, GBNF) served as RUBC Coach. Dr. Harry Saing usually rowed as Bow, but he led the RUBC crew in 1962 as Timing Stroke and Coach. U Win Kyi (GBNF) rowed as No. 7. Brand new Golds were awarded to Myo Tin, Htain Lin, Winston Tun Thoung, Myo Myint, Micky Tan (GBNF) and Victor Wu (GBNF). U San Maung told his mentees (including aspiring Golds) to practice with the Fixed Tub before rowing the boats.
Mr. C H Chan (GBNF), U Kyaw Thein (GBNF), U Tin U, Dr. Pe Nyun (GBNF), U Maung Maung Than Tun (GBNF), U Chan Tha (GBNF), Dr. Myo Tint (GBNF), U Tin Htut, Dr. Harry Saing (GBNF), Dr. Than Nyun (George), U Tin Htoon, U Han Tin (GBNF), Dr. Tin Wa, U Sein Htoon, U Thaung Lwin, U Myo Tin and U Zaw Lin are some of the Past Captain & Gold of RUBC.
RUBC Captains
U Tun Shein (Willie), Dr. Donald Chan, Dr. Thein Htut, Dr. Eddie Hla Min, Jimmy Saw Lwin (GBNF), U Tun Aung (George), U Win Kyi (GBNF), U Than Tin (GBNF), Maurice Tun Thoung, Mya Maung (Min Aung), Victor Htun Shein (GBNF), Sunny Teng, G Ko Lay (GBNF), L Than Myint, U Than Soe, U Myo Myint and U Than Htut are some of the RUBC Golds.
A list of Captain and/or Gold can be found in the Souvenir Magazines.
40th Anniversary
I was the last Executive Committee member to be elected democratically (and not selected by the higher authorities). I served as Treasurer and Vice Captain, and some “powers to be” prevented me from becoming Captain.
90th Anniversary
I served as Contributing Editor of the Souvenir Magazine for the RUBC 90th Anniversary. I wrote Prelude for each section. I wrote three articles.
Souvenir Magazine
I also donated for reprinting Sir Aurthur Eggar’s autobiography.
Autobiography
The old crocs have their mini-reunions where ever possible. They also share memories of the precious photos (e.g. of U Chan Tha, Jimmy Saw Lwin, …)
When RUBC was destroyed due to the ravages of war, the Old Crocs rebuilt the Club and provided physical, financial and spiritual support to the members to compete against the best from neighboring countries.
Dr. Htut Saing (Harry) would fully support the RUBC crews competing in the FEARA Regatta in Hong Kong.
Sad to note that there was apparently some disjoint between the really young members (who are busy with the competitions) and the really Old Members (especially who travel from abroad to attend the events).
Hope YUBC members have better rapport with the Old Crocs.
When RUBC was destroyed due to the ravages of war, the Old nembers rebuilt the Club and provided physical, financial and spiritual support to the members to compete against the best from neighboring countries.
Club house
During our younger days, there is an “Old Members Race” at the Monsoon and Annual Regattas. Contestants range from young Old Members to Past Champions.
Old Crocs have mini-reunions.
Some (via their children) share memories. U Maung Maung Than Tun (GBNF) U Chan Tha (GBNF) U Tun Shein Jimmy Saw Lwin (GBNF)
U San Maung / Gerald Sein(GBNF)
Past Secretary and RUBC Gold
Brothers : Henry, Hardy
Would find time from his work as Production Manager of “Amotha Yoke Shin”, and come down to RUBC to mentor the members (especially the aspiring Golds).
Mandate “fixed tub” practice for the members
Dr. Htut Saing / Harry Saing(GBNF)
Past Captain and Gold of RUBC
Siblings : Sheila, Victor, Shirley
Won the Venables Bowl for Coxless Pairs at the 1958 ARAE Regatta in Calcutta with U Tin Htoon
Won the Willingdon Trophy for Coxed Fours in the 1960 ARAE Regatta in Colombo with U Tin Htoon, Sunny Teng , Victor Htun Shein and U Sein Htoon
ARAE Champions
Usually rowed as Bow
As an exception, he served as Timing Stroke and Coach for the RUBC Eights in 1962. U Win Kyi (RUBC Gold) rowed as No. (7). There were seven new Golds in that crew : Myo Tin (William), Htain Linn and Mehm Myo Thaung (Maurice) for the Stroke side, Myo Myint, Oung Kyaing and Thein Aung (Micky Tan) for the Bow side and Tin Aung (Victor Wu, Cox).
Dr. Pe Nyun (Dick, Past Secretary and Gold of RUBC) and Dr. Htut Saing (Harry) were Pediatric Surgeons at the Rangoon Children Hospital. They operated on Ma Nan Soe and Ma Nan San (conjoined twins)
Continued working and teaching in Hong Kong.
Patron of the Hong Kong Rowing and Sailing Club.
Supported RUBC crews in FEARA Regatta at Hong Kong
GBNF
Dr. Harry Saing (on the right)
U Chan Tha (GBNF)
Multi-talented athlete.
Represented the University of Rangoon in Rowing and Soccer.
Burma Selected in Soccer.
Past Captain and Gold of RUBC
U Chan Tha
Wedding of U Maung Maung Than Tun’s Grand Daughter
There was a mini-reunion of Old Crocs (Old Members of Rangoon University Boat Club) in December 12, 2017.
Host : Bohmu Maung Maung Than Tun (retired Ambassador, Gold, Oldest RUBC Past Captain) and family
Event: Wedding of U MMTT’s grand daughter (daughter of U Hla Maw Tun, Past Secretary)
Attendees : U Tun Shein (Willie, RUBC Gold), Dr. Than Nyun (George, Past Captain and Gold), U Tin Htoon (A60, Past Captain and Gold).
Activities
Many attended the Regattas and the meetings of OMA (Old Members Association)
U Tin U (Most senior Past Captain)
U Maung Maung Than Tun (Oldest Past Captain)
Dr. Myo Tint (Past Captain)
U Tin Htut (Past Captain)
Dr. Than Nyun (Past Captain)
U Tin Htoon (Past Captain)
Dr. Tin Wa (Past Captain)
U Sein Htoon (Past Captain)
U Thaung Lwin (Past Captain)
U Htaik San (Henry, Past Captain)
U Tun Shein (Willie, Past Secretary)
Dr. Donald Chan (Gold)
U Tun Aung (George, Gold)
U Myo Myint (Gold)
U Than Htut (Gold)
U Thura Thant Zin (Gold)
U Thant Kyaw (Gold)
U Tin Myint (GBNF)
U Tun Mra
U Hla Kyi
U Hla Myint (Michael)
Several contributed articles, photos and financial support for printing the 90th Anniversary Issue, and for reprinting Sir Arthur Eggar’s biography.
Sad to note that there was some disjoint between the really young members (who are busy with the competitions) and the really Old Members (especially who travel from abroad to attend the events).
HlaMin 