G.I.T. Avi Moyal, Master 2 — President and Chief Instructor of IKMF

Avi Moyal has been teaching Krav Maga for over 35 years. Born in 1966, his first Krav Maga session was at just six years old. His mother loved sports — swimming, dance, yoga and whatever was available nearby. One day, in the course of her activities, she left Avi in a self-defense class. The instructor was Yaron Lichtenstein, a student of Imi. In that session the 360° defensive technique was taught, and Avi was absolutely delighted that he could block the boy who tried to slap him — he fell in love with Krav Maga. He noticed that training gave him pleasure, and that he became better the more he practised. He progressively devoted more time to it until it became his main — and only — hobby.

That commitment brought results. In 1985, Avi Moyal became the youngest Krav Maga practitioner to hold the Expert rank within the Aguda (the first Krav Maga organisation in Israel). Immediately afterwards he joined the Marine Corps of the IDF (Israeli Defence Forces). In the army he graduated the Officers’ Course with distinction and served as a platoon commander in a commando unit (Terror Demolition Unit). He accumulated many hours of combat mission in Lebanon, including special operations with various SWAT units behind enemy lines.

Avi Moyal completed all courses — including the instructor course — with top marks at the Wingate Institute, and then led the instructor course at the Institute himself for seven years. Today he is part of the elite of high-ranking Krav Maga Masters. Among his instructors are Eli Avigzar (RIP) and of course Imi Lichtenfeld (RIP). In fact, Avi was Imi’s direct and trusted student — a fact demonstrated by his appointment as President of the Aguda organisation.

Avi is the expert leader for teaching Krav Maga in the governmental sector in Israel, and serves as Adviser to the Minister of Education and Sport on the subject of Krav Maga. He teaches Krav Maga for women, children and adults in Israel across the private, commercial and governmental sectors. At the request of the Israeli government, he developed the special techniques and programmes for Women’s Self-Defense, Automotive Self-Defense (Car Rage Defense) and Children’s Self-Defense. As he has done consistently for the past 20 years, he continues to train military units and security companies around the world in various aspects of confrontation.

In his private life, Avi is married and has four children together with his wife. Avi is President of the International Krav Maga Federation and continues to spread Krav Maga in the Far East, Europe and the Americas, as well as teaching his own students at his school in Israel.