History

In 1948, Once Israel had declared its independence, IDF’s (Israeli Defense Force) officials approached Imi and requested him to develop a system of self-defense and fighting based upon his experience and his work with special forces units such as the Hagana, Palmach and Palyam. During his 20 years of service as chief instructor of hand-to- hand combat, Imi carefully refined the methods of Krav Maga, making it the official combative training for all military personnel, Israeli police and security forces. Imi developed a doctrine enabling both fit and out-of-shape soldiers to practice it successfully. Rather than rigid movements and techniques requiring years of training, Krav Maga integrated instinctive and simple moves accessible to all.

In 1964 Imi retired from the IDF and continued teaching Krav Maga to civilians, as well as law enforcement units and military applications. The Krav Maga Association (Aguda) was founded by Imi and several of his students in 1978, aiming to promote Krav Maga’s unique techniques locally and throughout the world Master Avi Moyal was Chairman of this very first Krav Maga organization.

When the teaching of Krav Maga (KM) started to spread beyond the borders of Israel, a need arose to form an international organization. This happened mostly because the initial Krav Maga association existing at the time was divided and not functioning efficiently, due to dissension amongst the higher graded instructors. This resulted in Imi forming a new International Krav Maga Federation (IKMF) with the support of his most loyal students and respected instructors. One of these founding members was Avi Moyal, the current IKMF chairman.

Once the IKMF was finally formed, all Expert and Master Diplomas, grades, and levels issued by it, were authorized by Imi, as well as the IKMF curriculum. Imi approved this new curriculum at the time of formation of the IKMF as well as subsequent changes made in 1997.

Since 1996 the IKMF has expanded and is now the largest and most appreciated KM institution worldwide. The IKMF has branched out and is successfully active locally, in Israel, as well as in Australia, America, Southeast Asia, Africa, the Far East, most EU countries, and ex-communist countries (such as Poland, Russia and Hungary). The general structure of the organization in each country is relatively similar: A director, responsible for the growth of both the KM system and the local IKMF organization in said country, and, of course, local instructors at different grades and levels assisting him. In the United States, there is a national director as well as state directors to assist in organizing and offering support to the local instructors. Lately, the UK, NL, Australia and USA branches are changing from appointed directors to elected directors by the local instructors.

The IKMF trains and educates civilian students and instructors (with KM and/or traditional martial arts background), law-enforcement officers and instructors, military personnel and instructors, as well as security and close protection officers and their instructors. All such individuals and groups are accepted and welcomed into the family of the IKMF.