Imrich ("Imi") Sde-Or*, founder of Krav Maga, was born in 1910 in Budapest, which at the time was one of the centers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He grew up in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, in a home where sports, law, and Central European education were equally respected. Samuel Lichtenfeld, Imi's .

Krav Maga’s development began in Israel, just prior to 1948, by an individual named Imi Lichtenfeld. Because Israel was under British rule, Israelis were not permitted to bear arms yet individuals needed to defend themselves. After the establishment of Israel in 1948, Imi became the Chief Instructor of face to face combat (Kapap), and physical fitness for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) due to his extensive combat and martial arts skills. Here he taught to the IDF forces most elite units including the Haganah, and the special commando units of the Palmack, and Palyam. Upon retiring in 1964 from the IDF, Imi adapted the Krav Maga style for civilian use. In 1975 Imi created with some of his most dedicated students the Association for Krav Maga and Self-Defense.