Blog

Soccer

Suk Bahadhur

• Played soccer for Shan States, Army and Burma.
• One of the three Bahadhur from the Shan States Soccer team that won the Inaugural Champions for Inter State and Division Tournament in 1952.
• Recruited to play for the Army in the First Division.
• Initially played Forward in the 5-3-2 formation.
• Later played Midfielder in the 4-2-4 formation.
• Captain of the Burma Selected.
• Chosen as a Asian All Star.

Asian All Stars

• Suk Bhadhur
• Maung Maung (Navy)
  Most prominent among the five or more Burma Selected named Maung Maung
• Khin Maung Tun (Goalkeeper)
• Tin Aung (Goalkeeper)

Swimming

Tin Maung Ni

• Swam for Rangoon University, Navy and Burma.
• Won Gold Medals at the SEAP Games and Asian Games.
• Invited to a US Tour
• Competed in Olympics
• Ba Than Nyunt wrote : Dear Sir, (U)Tin Maung Ni won Gold medals not only in SEAPgames but also in two successive Asian Games. If my recall is right, he is from Bhan Maw, Kachin State.

Training by Mr. Matsuda (Japanese Coach)

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.

Khin Maung Zaw (EC76) wrote

Tin Maung Ni went for an overseas competition, brought back a VW Beetle with a faux skin glued?? over the body. Of course, it was an big attraction those days.

Other Male Champions

• Mya Thee
• Maung Kyi
• Aung Than
• Nanda Kyaw Swar
• …

Female Champions

• Soe Sisters (Sally, Mary, Maisie, Muya)
• Elizabeth Smythe
• Marla Swe
• Polly Ba San
• …

Tennis

Joe Ba Maung

• Burma Men Singles Champion
• Burma Men Doubles Champion (e.g. with Than Lwin)
• Burma Mixed Doubles Champion (e.g. with Daw Ruby Kha)
• Taught English (e.g. at RIT)
• Manager at Burma Railways
  Also In-charge of Burma Railways Sports

Successors

• Than Lwin succeeded Joe Ba Maung as Singles Champion.
• Maung Maung Lay (Ah Pu Lay) succeeded Than Lwin as Singles Champion.
  He was Burma Doubles Champion with Than Htut.

Female Champions

• Mu Mu Khin
• Jacqueline Tun Shwe
• Ni Ni Chone

Track and Field

Myee Tun Naw

• Burma and SEAP Champion for Marathon.
• Competed in Asian Games and Olympics.

Sin Bwe Gan

• Burma and SEAP Champion for 5000 and 10000 meters.
• Runner up in the Marathon (in the early days)
• Succeeded Myee Tun Naw as Marathon Champion.

Jimmy Crampton

• Won High School (from St. Paul’s) and Inter-Institute tournaments
• Burma and SEAP Champion for 1500 meters.
• 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.
• Editor’s note : Rafiul was chosen for the preliminary team for Burma. He placed third in the hurdles. His coach was Kyaw Khin (Old Paulian, and Burma Champion in hurdles and 1500m).

Mra Brothers

• Tun Mra won Gold for 4×100 m relay in 2nd SEAP
  Captain of RU Track and Field Team
• Kyaw Mra won Silver for Hurdles in 2nd SEAP
  Became National Coach
• Soe Mra won Gold for Pole Vault in 2nd SEAP and subsequent SEAP.
• Win Mra, Maung Maung Mra and Aung Mra also excelled in Pole Vault

Female Champions

• Gracie Carr
• Ma Tin Pu,
• Ma Khin Htay
• Jennifer Tin La
• Than Than
• Khin Khin Htwe
• …

Table Tennis

Mao Toon Siong

• Burma Singles and Doubles Champion
• Represented Burma in SEAP, Asian Games and Wold Championship
• Served as Coach of the National Table Tennis team.
• Taught Mechanical Engineering at RIT

Successor

• Ba Wai

Boxing

Kyar Ba Nyein

• Competed in Olympics
• Trained young boxers
• Promoted Burmese Martial Arts
• Excellent Checkers (Kyar) player
• Featured in Ludu Daw Ah Mar’s book on “Mandalay Thar and Mandalay Thu”

Champions

• Thein Myint
  Represented Burma in SEAP, Asian Games and Olympics
• Tin Tun are Burma Boxing Champions
  Represented Burma in SEAP, Asian Games and Olympics

Shwe Yoe (Scott, author and teacher) introduced soccer [football] to Diocesan Boys High School.

BAA (Burma Athletic Association) stadium (aka Aung San Stadium) hosted the First Division matches.
There were League Championship and Dunlop Knock Out Tournament .

For several years, Rangoon University First Eleven competed as a First Division team.

Saya Nyein (Diocesan Alumni) was RU Coach.

U Than Win (Captain of RU football) studied in the US and served as a Director of SPED (Sports and Physical Education Department) or equivalent. His spouse retired as Professor of Botany Department, RU.

Some early players include

• U Chan Tha (Captain of the Prome Hall Soccer team & Past Captain of RUBC),
• U Tun Kyi (engineer)
• Collegian Nay Win (Academy winner)
• U Kenneth Shein (father of Ma Pale Shein (ex-UCC))

U Chan Tha’s team won the Inter-Hall Soccer Trophy for two consecutive years. Saya U Tin Swe (EE53, GBNF) was a star player.

Saya U Myo Myint Sein (A58) was a well-known soccer player.

Ko Kyaw Sint (Edward, T70) was among the preliminary members for Burma Selected, when his career was cut short by a vicious tackle by Tin Han.

At one time, the RU Sports Council conferred University Gold, Blue and Half Blue to eligible students who excel in sports.

Burma Selected (RIT alumni) include

• Ko Kyaw Htin (C67)
• Ko Soe Myint Lwin (EP68, GBNF)
• John Tint (M72, GBNF)

RIT Soccer Selected include

• Ko Khin Maung Lay (Henry, T68)
• Ko Myo Nyunt (C69)
• Ko Myint Sein (Jabu)
• Ko Khin Maung Lay (Mutu),
• Sai Thein Maung

Notes

In our days, Saya U Maung Maung Than (GBNF) chaired the RIT Sports Council. Certificates were presented to the RIT sportsmen and sportswomen at the Annual gathering.

U Maung Maung was the Sports Officer at RIT.

Many people in Myanmar follow the World Cup, Premium League, European Cup in addition to the soccer tournaments (Asian Games, SEA Games …) in which Myanmar compete.

On a side note, some people remember “U Thant”, and the once “powerful soccer nation in SE Asia (and beyond)” when they hear the name “Burma”.

Martial Arts

Thaing is a generic name for Burmese/Myanmar Martial Arts.

Thaing comprises of

• Bando (unarmed combat Thaing) and
• Banshay (armed combat Thaing).

Schools

There are various schools of Thaing.

One famous school was started by Saya U Pyi Thein. He is familiar with the 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 astarred in the movie “Thadin Kyut Tawt 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 is a high school Luyechun.
  He volunteered for the 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.

Notes :

• There is also a school called “Thaing Byaung Byan” (literally meaning “Reverse Thaing”).
• Dr. Khin Maung U had a leader of that movement as his patient.
  

First SEAP Games

• The First SEAP (South East Asia Peninsular) Games was held in Bangkok in 1959.
• Tun Mra, Kyaw Mra, Soe Mra and Tun Naung competed in Track and Field.
• Tun Aung and Victor Pe-Win competed in Tennis.
• Tin Maung Ni competed in Swimming

Second SEAP Games

• The Second SEAP Games was held in Rangoon in December 1961.
• Aung San Stadium was the main venue for Track & Field and Soccer.
  The indoor stadium hosted Basketball, Volleyball, …
• 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 was Chairman of the Sports Promotion Committee.
• U Tin Maung Swe was Secretary of the Sports Promotion Committee.
• Dr. Ko Ko Lay was Chairman of the University Sports Council.

The University Students represented Burma in the Games include

• Tun Mra, Kyaw Mra, Soe Mra and Tun Naung (Athletics)
• Derek Lynsdale and Aye Kyaw (Swimming)
• Richard Yu Khin (Yachting)
• Joe Ba Maung, Than Lwin and Mu Mu Khin (Tennis)
• Mao Toon Siong and C. Say Eng (Table Tennis)
• Maung Hla and Thida (Badminton)
• Myo Nyunt (Weightlifting)
• Kyaw Han (Volleyball)
• Nyan Min (Basketball)

Athletics

• In Track and Field, Burma placed first in the medal standings.
• Tun Mra won a Gold in the 4×100 m relay with Soe Aung (Burma Champion) as anchor.
• Kyaw Mra won Silver in the Hurdles.
  He would later serve as National Coach.
• Soe Mra won the Pole Vault.
• Tun Mra, Kyaw Mra and Soe Mra are the sons of U Shwe Mra.
• The ladies won several Gold Medals.
  e.g. Gracie Carr won the 100m and the Long Jump.

Swimming

• In Swimming, Burma placed first in the medal standings.
• Tin Maung Ni 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 are RU athletes.
  Aye Kyaw later joined the Navy.

Yachting

• Richard Yu Khin won Gold in Yachting with U Maung Maung Lwin (Commodore of Rangoon Sailing Club).

Tennis

• Joe Ba Maung was the National Singles Champion in Tennis.
  He and Than Lwin were the National Doubles Champion.
  He and Sayama Daw Ruby Kha won the National Mixed Doubles.
• Than Lwin would succeed Joe Ba Maung as the Singles Champion.
• Mu Mu Khin (Daphne Tha Dok) was the Ladies Champion.
• Than Lwin and Mu Mu Khin later married.

Table Tennis

• Mao Toon Siong was Burma Champion for Singles and Doubles in Table Tennis.
  He later served as National Coach.

Volleyball

• The Burma team won the Gold Medal.
• Kyaw Han is an athlete from Rangoon University.

Athletics

• Ko Aung Gyi Shwe
• Ko Myo Nyunt
• Ma Khin Than Myint Tin (Margaret)

Badminton

• Sai Kham Pan (Burma selected)
• Ko Myint Sein
• Bishnu Shahi

Basketball

• Ko Soe Win
• Ko Han Sein
• Ko Tommy
• Ma Lyo Kyin Sein

Chess

• Ko Aung Than

Chinlon

• Ko Tin Shein
• Ko Htin Aung

Rowing

• Ko Hla Min
• Ko Chit Po Po
• Ko Sein Myint
• Ko Win Naing (Dicky)
• Ko Win Maung

Soccer

• Ko Kyaw Sint
• Ko Myo Nyunt

Swimming and Water Polo

• Ko Htay Aung (Burma selected)
• Ko Sein Myint
• Ko Han Sein
• Ko Moe Hein
• Ko Hla Kyaing
• Ko Win Maung

Table Tennis

• Ko Tin Myint

Tennis

• Ko Kyaw Sint
• Ko Kyaw Nyunt

Volleyball

• Saw Edison
• Sa Maung Maung
• Ko Myint Maung (Bu)
• Ko Aye Thein

Weightlifting and Body Building

• Ko Jimmy Kyin
• Ko Khin Win
• Ko Myint Soe

Male Swimmers

• Tin Maung Ni
• Mya Thee
• Maung Kyi
• Aung Than
• Nyunt Soe
• Chit Soe
• Oscar Thwin
• Derek Lynsdale
• Aye Kyaw
• Willie Huie
• Richard Yu Khin
• Htay Aung
• Nanda Kyaw Zwar

Female Swimmers

• Sally Soe
• Mary Soe
• Elizabeth Smythe
• Marlar Swe
• Polly Ba San (Polly Win)
• Sylvia Thwin

Divers

• Thet Win
• Philip Smythe
• William Smythe

Dr. Richard Yu Khin wrote :

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.

Early Female Rower

• 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.
• Healthy people can pass away unexpectedly.

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

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.