OUR TEAM

SAYAR WIN ZIN OO

CHIEF INSTRUCTOR

One of Myanmar’s foremost Lethwei Sayar (coach/ teacher), Win Zin Oo is a highly respected and sought-after mentor and trainer.  Sayar Win is the founder and senior coach of the renowned Thut Ti Lethwei Club of Yangon, Myanmar.

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DR. PATRICK FINLEY

DIRECTOR

Since 2018, Dr. Finley has spent more than 600 hours learning Thut Ti Lethwei with Sayar Win Zin Oo. Dr. Finley is an authorized Thut Ti Lethwei Global Senior Instructor under Sayar Win to teach Thut Ti Lethwei. 

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SAYAR RODNEY LIBERNINI

PROGRAM MANAGER

Sayar  Rod began his Thut Ti Lethwei journey in 2020, accumulating more than 400 hours learning from Sayar Win Zin Oo. He is currently a Thut Ti Lethwei Global Associate Instructor authorized by Sayar Win to teach Thut Ti Lethwei.

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GURO DAN INOSANTO

SENIOR ADVISOR

As an unrivaled repository of martial arts knowledge, Guro Dan Inosanto is also arguably its foremost  teacher alive today. As with all great teachers, Guro Dan is the preeminent student…

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SAYAR JOE WADE

PROGRAM ADVISOR

Sayar Joe first served as a rescue swimmer in the U.S. Navy during the 1990s. Retiring from the Navy at the end of the decade, Sayar Joe reenlisted in the Marine Corps after Sept. 11 finding a call to serve…
 
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SAYAR PETE MENKE

PROGRAM ADVISOR

While serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, Sayar Pete studied Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), Judo, Muay Thai and Wrestling. During his time in the Marines, he earned a Black belt in the Marine Corps  Combatives…

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DR. SAW MIN HTOO

MEDICAL ADVISOR

Dr. Saw Min Htoo has served as the Thut Ti Lethwei Club’s team doctor, he advises Sayar Win Zin Oo and his fighters. Dr. Saw Min Htoo has also acted as medical officer for various Lethwei competitions in Myanmar.

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VICTOR (HTOO ZIN OO)

MEDIA ADVISOR

The younger son of Sayar Wi Zin Oo, Htoo Zin Oo grew up immersed in Lethwei. With years of experience with Lethwei, Htoo Zin Oo often assisted his father with the training of Lethwei fighters and clients alike. 

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SAYAR WIN ZIN OO

CHIEF INSTRUCTOR

One of Myanmar’s foremost Lethwei Sayar or teachers, Win Zin Oo is highly respected and sought-after coach, instructor, mentor, and trainer. Well-educated, unassuming and kind-hearted, Sayar Win is the founder and senior coach of the renowned Thut Ti Lethwei Club of Yangon, Myanmar. A professional Lethwei coach since 1982, Sayar Win transformed his home into the Thut Ti Lethwei Club (Thut Ti translates as “courage”) and has overseen the practice of Lethwei there to the present day. Since his Thut Ti Lethwei club opened its doors, Sayar Win has seen a steady procession of fighters and non-fighters alike. Sayar Win’s understanding and practice of Lethwei was initially learned from his grandfather, a farmer and amateur Lethwei competitor. It was further cultivated under the tutelage of Sayar Win’s Lethwei teachers including Sayar Aung Gyi, Sayar Moe Gyoe, Sayar Duang Ni and Sayar Maung Nyunt.

A prominent figure in the modern history of Lethwei, Sayar Win was the first coach to take Lethwei onto the international stage, bringing his fighters to countries including Australia and Japan. He has spent his entire coaching and teaching career improving and promoting the practice of Lethwei. He was appointed the Joint Secretary of Myanmar Lethwei Federation in 1994 and in 2007 was assigned as the Vice President of the Federation. In his role as Vice President, Sayar Win serves as the primary technical advisor for training and competition. 

Appearing in the Netflix martial arts documentary series, “Fightworld”, Sayar Win is the focus of episode 3, “Myanmar: Crossroads”.  He has also been featured prominently in numerous articles and documentaries on the art of Lethwei. Sayar Win is widely respected for his extensive knowledge and experience of Lethwei as well as his ability to work with culturally diverse coaches, fighters, and representatives.  He is considered the preeminent global ambassador for Lethwei.

In his more than 40 years as a Lethwei coach and teacher, Sayar Win has coached numerous local, national and international Lethwei champions including Saw Gaw Mu Doe, Lone Chaw, Maung Maung Gyi, Shwe Du Won, Shan Lay Thway Saw Thae Aung, Saw Thae Myo, Eh Htee Kaw, and Moe Pa Lae. In addition to producing top Lethwei fighters, Sayar Win’s teaching and influence has helped produce many top Lethwei coaches such as Moe Pa Lae, head coach of “Cement Factory Lethwei Club”, Kyaw Soe, head coach of “Na Ga Mann Lethwei Club”, and Saw Thae Aung, head coach of “Kanyaw Thwi” Lethwei Club. Additionally, Lethwei promoters like Soe Than Win, Vice President of the World Lethwei Championship and Saw Nyi Nyi, TNT Lethwei Promotions also experienced Sayar Win and the Thut Ti Lethwei Club’s approach to Lethwei practice.

Sayar Win and the Thut Ti Lethwei Club have been an example of authentic Lethwei and owner-run operations. Sayar Win introduced the model of the Lethwei gym not only for training fighters, but also as a place to provide Lethwei training for health, fitness, and personal enrichment. Presently, the owners and coaches of many of the modern Lethwei gyms in Myanmar such as Phoenix and Balance trained with Sayar Win at the Thut Ti Lethwei Club and adopted its model. To this day, fighters and martial artists from around the world come to his Thut Ti Lethwei Club to learn and train.   

In addition to sharing his passion for Lethwei through his coaching and leadership, Sayar Win continues his professional work in Disaster and Emergency Management, Disaster Risk Reduction, Safety, and Security. He has worked with numerous non-profit, government, non-government, and charitable organizations including World Vision, Save the Children, U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Disaster Center, UNICEF, and World Food Program. He has received several awards for his work in disaster management and humanitarian work. Sayar Win earned his bachelor’s in civil engineering as well as master’s in business administration (MBA). His MBA Capstone thesis examined applying a business model to the combat sports and martial art of Lethwei. He also earned an International Diploma in Humanitarian Assistance as well as completing a Fellowship in Southeast Asia Development Management.

Since beginning his journey as a teacher and coach of Lethwei so many years ago, Sayar Win has continued to apply his personal philosophy of Lethwei as not only a vehicle for preparing individuals for fight competitions but equally as a means of personal development and enrichment. Sayar Win has used Thut Ti Lethwei to meet the needs of his students, whether those needs were as a Lethwei fighter, to study Lethwei as a martial art/fighting system, for fitness and personal development, or learning about a vital piece of Myanmar culture. In Sayar Win’s own words:

“I want to personally contribute to the development and spread of Lethwei as a fighting sport, a martial art, a form of self-defense, and for fitness. I want to show the respect and quality of the fighters and teachers. Lethwei is also a deeply rooted part of our culture. I want to share this important aspect of Lethwei as well. I want it to be something that a diverse audience can understand, train in, and enjoy.” 
                                                                      Win Zin Oo

SAYA PETE MENKE

SAYA AASINT DIT / INSTRUCTOR LEVEL I

Saya Pete started training in martial arts at 14 years old in the art of American Kenpo under Professor Dan Farmer. At age 18, he earned his 1st degree black belt in American Kenpo.  During that time, he also trained in Tae Kwon Do and Kung Fu, as well as Boxing and American Kickboxing. Immediately following High School, Pete enlisted in the Marine Corps. While serving, Pete studied Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), Judo, Muay Thai and Wrestling. During his time in the Marines, he earned a Black belt in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP).  He also has an instructor rating in SOCP (Special Operations Combatives Program). Also while still serving, Pete continued his studies with his original Kenpo Instructor and ultimately received his 4th Degree Black Belt, just before his professor passed away in 2012.  Pete received his Blue Belt in BJJ while serving in the Marine Corps, but had limited time to train thereafter due to operational tempo. Pete has had the privilege of training all over the US and world, to include training in the Philippines with a Pencak Silat grandmaster for over three months and UFC fighters in California. Over the years, Pete has competed in Point Karate (Empty Hand Forms, Weapons Forms, Fighting), Full Contact Karate, Boxing, American Style Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Submission Fighting, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts.

Pete retired from the Marine Corps in October of 2019, after serving for 22 years; 17 of which were as a Force Recon/Recon Marine. He now works as the Assistant Chief Operations Officer and an instructor for a tactical training company who primarily provides training and services to Military Special Operations and Local/State/Federal Law Enforcement. Pete has also continued his training in Vaghi Jiu Jitsu under the instruction of Professor Mike Rogers.

Pete owns and operates a Personal Protection and Martial arts school called Unified Combatives Academy, LLC located in Missouri, and he is also the striking coach for Purler Combat Academy in Moscow Mills, Missouri.

Pete began his training with Saya Win Zin Oo in August of 2021 and is now a Saya in the amazing art of Thut Ti Lethwei.

DR. PATRICK FINLEY

DIRECTOR

A student of Sayar Win Zin Oo since 2018, Dr. Finley has been privileged to spend multiple sessions each week learning Thut Ti Lethwei. During this time, he also worked with Sayar Win Zin Oo and the Thut Ti Lethwei Global Advisory Team to develop a comprehensive curriculum, associated training program, and instructor preparation program following the Thut Ti Lethwei taught by Sayar Win. 

Dr. Finley began studying martial arts in 1972. He has been a student since 1982 and instructor since 1984 under renowned martial arts instructors Tuhan Dan Inosanto and Magulang Na Guro Paula Inosanto. He currently holds an eighth-level black belt in Bando through Dr. Maung Gyi, founder and Chief Instructor of the American Bando Association. He is also an authorized representative instructor in Combat Submission Wrestling under Sensei Erik Paulson as well as an instructor in Bukti Negara Pentjak Silat under Paul deThouars, Mande Muda Pencak Silat under Pak Herman Suwanda, Pikiti Tirsia Arnis under Tuhon Leo Gaje. He also holds black belt ranking in Doce Pares Escrima under Grandmaster Diony Canete, Judo under Sensei Gil Gilbert, and Kobujitsu Karate under Sensei K. Marks.

Dr. Finley previously competed in full-contact combat sports competitions between 1977 and 1996 including PKA (Professional Karate Association) and WKA (World Karate Association) Full-Contact Karate matches, Hanthawaddy Burmese Bando Boxing tournaments, WEKAF Full-Contact Stick Fighting contests, and U.S. Shooto Association Mixed Martial Arts competitions.

A professor of Exercise Science and Public Health, Dr. Finley has taught at a number of academic institutions including the George Washington and the America Universities.  He recently retired from Howard Community College after 37 years in higher education where he served as Director and Chair of the Department of Health Promotion and Human Performance. Prior to entering the academia, Dr. Finley served as a researcher at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.

Dr. Finley completed his baccalaureate studies in Kinesiology and Philosophy at the University of Maryland, received his master’s degree in Exercise Science from the George Washington University, and earned his Ph.D. in Public and Community Health from the University of Maryland. He is a Certified Exercise Physiologist through the American College of Sports Medicine, a Certified Sports Nutritionist through the International Society for Sports Nutrition, and a Sport and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

SAYAR RODNEY LIBERNINI

PERSONNEL MANAGER

Sayar  Rod began his Thut Ti Lethwei journey in 2020 spending more than two hundred sessions learning from Sayar Win Zin Oo. He is currently the only Thut Ti Lethwei Global Associate Instructor authorized by Sayar Win to teach Thut Ti Lethwei.

He began his training in kickboxing and Bando in 1977 under the direction of Grandmaster Jon Collins, senior instructor and former Chair of the American Bando Association, as well as founder and Chief Instructor of the East-West Martial Arts Alliance. In addition to his kickboxing and Bando training, Sayar Rod also spent several years studying Wing Chun Gung Fu during the early 2000s.

Sayar Rod brings not only his martial arts training and knowledge to his position as Assistant Director for Lethwei America, but also 34+ years of management experience with the United Parcel Service in diverse areas including operations and industrial engineering. In addition to his role as Assistant Director, Sayar Rod also serves as Member Director for the Thut Ti Lethwei Global Education and Training Initiative.

Sayar Rod retired several years ago and in addition to focusing on his family including three grandchildren, he oversees the operations, logistics, and planning for our members and instructors for both the Thut Ti Lethwei Global Education and Training Initiative and Lethwei America alike.

GURO DAN INOSANTO

SENIOR ADVISOR

An unrivaled repository of martial arts knowledge, Guro Dan Inosanto is arguably the foremost  martial arts teacher alive today. As with all great teachers, Guro Dan is the preeminent student who numbers many of the greatest martial arts masters of the last century as his personal mentors.

Guro Dan has been a private student of Sayar Win Zin Oo since 2021, receiving extensive personal instruction in Thut Ti Lethwei. He is currently one of only two authorized Senior Instructors in Thut Ti Lethwei under Sayar Win and Thut Ti Lethwei Global.

Sayar Win Zin Oo is proud to consider Guro Dan as his student and is honored that Guro has integrated Thut Ti Lethwei into his classes at the world-renown Inosanto Academy as well as in his seminars abroad.

Sayar Win is grateful for the continued advice and direction Guro Dan has provided him personally as well as to Thut Ti Lethwei Global as it works to advance the Thut Ti Lethwei legacy.

SAYAR jOE wADE

SAYAR AASINT NIT / INSTRUCTOR LEVEL 2

As a decorated combat Marine having served in the Middle East, Sayar Joe first served as a rescue swimmer in the U.S. Navy during the 1990s. Retiring from the Navy at the end of the decade, Sayar Joe reenlisted in the Marine Corps after Sept. 11 finding a call to serve again.
 
In addition to his Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) training, Sayar Joe has studied and taught Muay Thai since the mid-90s, He also has extensive training in in FMA (Pikiti Tersia and Balintawak Kali) and Jeet Kune Do. During several of his overseas tours, Sayar Joe continued his martial arts study and training in both Thailand and Cambodia.
 
Sayar Joe began training with Sayar Win in Thut TI Lethwei  early in 2021 and has continued uninterrupted since.

SAYAR PETE MENKE

SAYAR AASINT DIT / INSTRUCTOR LEVEL I

Sayar Pete started training in martial arts at 14 years old in the art of American Kenpo under Professor Dan Farmer. At age 18, he earned his 1st degree black belt in American Kenpo.  During that time, he also trained in Tae Kwon Do and Kung Fu, as well as Boxing and American Kickboxing. Immediately following High School, Pete enlisted in the Marine Corps. While serving, Pete studied Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), Judo, Muay Thai and Wrestling. During his time in the Marines, he earned a Black belt in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP).  He also has an instructor rating in SOCP (Special Operations Combatives Program). Also while still serving, Pete continued his studies with his original Kenpo Instructor and ultimately received his 4th Degree Black Belt, just before his professor passed away in 2012.  Pete received his Blue Belt in BJJ while serving in the Marine Corps, but had limited time to train thereafter due to operational tempo. Pete has had the privilege of training all over the US and world, to include training in the Philippines with a Pencak Silat grandmaster for over three months and UFC fighters in California. Over the years, Pete has competed in Point Karate (Empty Hand Forms, Weapons Forms, Fighting), Full Contact Karate, Boxing, American Style Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Submission Fighting, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts.

Pete retired from the Marine Corps in October of 2019, after serving for 22 years; 17 of which were as a Force Recon/Recon Marine. He now works as the Assistant Chief Operations Officer and an instructor for a tactical training company who primarily provides training and services to Military Special Operations and Local/State/Federal Law Enforcement. Pete has also continued his training in Vaghi Jiu Jitsu under the instruction of Professor Mike Rogers.

Pete owns and operates the Unified Combatives Academy, LLC, a personal protection and martial arts school located in Missouri. He is also the striking coach for Purler Combat Academy in Moscow Mills, Missouri.

Pete began his training with Sayar Win Zin Oo in August of 2021 and is now a Sayar in the amazing art of Thut Ti Lethwei.

DR. SAW MIN HTOO

MEDICAL ADVISOR

Dr. Saw Min Htoo has served the sport of Lethwei over the years. As the Thut Ti Lethwei Club’s team doctor, he advised Sayar Win Zin Oo and his fighters. In addition to his work with the Sayar Win Zin Oo and the Thut Ti Lethwei Club, Dr. Saw Min Htoo has acted as medical officer for various Lethwei competitions in Myanmar.

In addition to running his medical clinic, Dr. Saw Min Htoo also serves as the medical advisor for the Thut Ti Lethwei Global Education and Training Initiative. He has generously offered to also advise Lethwei America on medical issues related to Lethwei instruction, training, and competition.

In addition to his medical education and training, Dr. Saw Min Htoo has earned a Master of Business Administration degree in Non-Governmental Management.

VICTOR (HTOO ZIN OO)

MEDIA ADVISOR

The younger son of Sayar Wi Zin Oo, Htoo Zin Oo grew up immersed in the fighting art, combat sport, and culture of Lethwei. With years of experience with Lethwei, Htoo Zin Oo often assisted his father with the training of Lethwei fighters and clients alike. In addition to helping Sayar Win in the training and teaching at the Thut Ti Lethwei Club, Htoo Zin Oo has used his creative and communications skills to help his father with club and fighter promotions and communications.

Htoo Zin Oo has both bachelors and master’s degrees in communications and media production. Having worked in the creative communications and production fields he brings his extensive educational and professional experiences to the Thut Ti Lethwei Global Education and Training Initiative and Lethwei America. As the Communications and Media Advisor for both organizations, he plays an invaluable role in advising on promotional, communication, technological, and creative matters.