Walter Chit Tun

Walter Chit Tun (Burmese: ဝေါ်လတာချစ်ထွန်း), Mon: ဝလ်တာ ချေတ်ထောန်) (1898–1947) was a pioneer of body building and weightlifting in Burma (now Myanmar). He was an ethnic Mon and born in Moulmein (present-day Mawlamyine) in British Burma to parents Dr Chit Tun and Daw Thein Ngwe in 1898.[1][2] Walter Chit Tun shares the honor of being one of the first 18 Great Myanmars.[3]

In this Burmese name, the given name is Walter Chit Tun. There is no family name.
Walter Chit Tun, M.D.
Born1898
Moulmein, British Burma
Died19 November 1947
Cause of deathMilitary Escort Accident
EducationDoctor of Medicine (M.D.)
Alma materCalcutta University
Occupation(s)Medical Doctor and Bodybuilder
Known forBurma's first bodybuilder
SpouseBarbara Margaret King
ChildrenWalter Chit Tun, II

Becoming bodybuilder

Walter Chit Tun studied at Rangoon's St. Paul Convent School and continued to Rangoon University. Because of the threats to his life due to his organizing students to stand up for the people's rights, he went on to India to study where he led a revival in the movement, Muscle Control, while also rallying the students of India to fight for their liberties. He influenced many leaders in India's physical culture.[4] He wrote a document titled, Barbell Exercises,[5] that combined the physical and mental condition of the ideal bodybuilder that became the tenets for Muscle Control. It became a phenomenon in India's physical culture.

Life as medical doctor

Walter Chit Tun completed studying medicine in Calcutta University and went on to work at Rangoon Mental Hospital (Tadalay). There, he served as Superintendent of Tadalay Hospital. It was his dream to open a private hospital to assist those who were not being aided. However, he died before this dream was ever achieved.

Life as movie star

Walter Chit Tun was one of the first Burmese movie stars.[6] He appeared in the Burmese movie, Pan Bai Maung Tint Tai. However, Walter Chit Tun died in a motorcycle accident on 19 November 1947 after an interview for a Burmese publication. The accident involved military escorts.

He was survived by his wife, a British woman, Barbara Margaret King, and their children, including Walter Chit Tun, II. He is the grandfather of Joshua Chit Tun, a US based movie producer and philanthropist.[7]

References
  1. "Origins Define a Future". YoungINC.LA. 6 April 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  2. Burmese Encyclopedia. Vol. II. 1955.
  3. Wai, Min Yu. First Myanmars.
  4. "Physical Culture in India". The History of Physical Culture. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  5. "Dr. Walter Chit Tun - Index by Author". The History of Physical Culture. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  6. Burmese Encyclopedia. Vol. II. 1955.
  7. "Joshua Chit Tun". IMDb. Retrieved 2 September 2017.



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