Dave Leduc's Rejection of the Tatmadaw

“I couldn't stay silent. I probably will never be able to go back to Myanmar while the military still runs the country because of the position I took. And as long as the military rules, I don't want to support them.”

Dave Leduc is the only foreign champion of Lethwei, the traditional Burmese form of martial arts which goes back thousands of years. In his first interview since the coup focussing on the situation in Myanmar, Dave opens up about his decision to stand by the Burmese people and support them, no matter what personal and professional consequences he may face. While Dave admits that he could have sought a potentially lucrative arrangement with the military, but refused to ever consider such a possibility given the brutal crackdowns that soldiers were implementing across the country.

So he began publicly posting content showing his support the people and the developing resistance movement, while calling out the atrocities of the Tatmadaw, all the while fully knowing that doing so would keep him in exile from his adapted country for as long as the Generals maintain control.

Yet his stance also ensured that Dave would stay on the right side of history... a far more important consideration for him.

To listen, look for "Episode #78: Dave Leduc, a champion stands with the people." You can also subscribe to Insight Myanmar wherever you get your podcasts, or else check these links below.