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Cambodia has increasingly become involved in sports over the last 30 years.
| Part of a series on the |
| Culture of Cambodia |
|---|
| Society |
| Topics |
| Symbols |
Cambodia has increasingly become involved in sports over the last 30 years.
Bokator /Lbokator is an ancient Khmer martial art that is based on animal forms. It has ground fighting, close combat techniques and weaponry.
Unlike kickboxing, which is a sport fighting art, boxkator was a soldier's art, designed to be used on the battlefield. It can be considered a complete martial art, using strikes, throws, drags, trapping, locking, and some elements of ground fighting. Every single part of the body can be used as a weapon.
When fighting, bokator practitioners still wear the uniforms of ancient Khmer armies. A kroma (scarf) is folded around their waist and blue and red silk cords called sangvar day, are tied around the combatants head and biceps. In the past, it is said that the cords were enchanted to increase strength, although now they are just ceremonial.
The kroma shows the fighter's level of expertise. A series of grades, each taking at least five months to complete training seven days a week and two hours a day, are represented by different colors.
The first grade is white, followed by green, blue, red, brown, and then black which has 10 degrees.
After completing their initial training, fighters wear a black kroma (scarf) for at least another ten years. To attain the gold kroma, you must be a true master and must have done something great for bokator. And to become a true master, it will definitely take some time as just in the unarmed portion of the art; there are between 8,000 and 10,000 different techniques; only 1,000 of which you have to learn to attain the black kroma.
The art contains 341 different styles, some of which are the duck, crab, horse, bird, dragon, eagle, crane, wind, fire, water, earth (or stone), king monkey, lion, elephant, apsara (traditional Hindu sacred nymph), and crocodile. Ancient Khmer armies. In the past, it is said that the cords were enchanted to increase strength, although now they are just ceremonial.
Because of its visually similar style, bokator (boxkator) is commonly wrongly described as a variant of modern kickboxing. Bokator has many forms based on styles as well as straight practical fighting techniques. While pradal serey is a more simplified freestyle fighting system which uses a few of the basic (white kroma) punching, elbow, kicking, and kneeing techniques.
Cambodia is famous for Pradal Serey or Kun Khmer . Pradal serey , or Traditional Khmer kickboxing, is a popular sport in Cambodia. A match consists of five sets of three-minute rounds and takes place in a 6.1 meter square boxing ring. A one- or two-minute break occurs between each round. At the beginning of each match, boxers practice the praying rituals known as the Kun Kru. Traditional Cambodian music is played during the match. The music is played using the instruments of the skor yaul (a type of drum), the sraliai (a flute like instrument), and the stringed chhing. Boxers wear leather gloves and shorts.
Rules:
Victory can be obtained by knockout. A knockout occurs when a boxer is knocked down to the ground and can not continue fighting after a 10-second count by the referee. Victory is also obtained from the end of the match, when judges decide by a point system which fighter was more effective. If fighters end up with the same score, a draw is called.
The Khmer Empire was founded in 802 A.D. at a time when many modern Southeast Asian countries didn't exist yet. Martial arts were used by the military of the Khmer Empire. Pradal Serey has its root from the hand to hand combat use by the military of the Khmer Empire. An early version of pradal serey was effectively used by the Khmer Empire to dominate the Southeast Asian mainland. Pradal serey became a sport, during the days of the Colonial Cambodia. When the French came, they added western boxing gloves, weight classes, timed rounds, and a boxing ring to civilize the art. Originally matches were fought in dirt pits with limited rules while hands were wrapped in rope.
On April 17, 1975, during the chaos of the Vietnam War, the Khmer Rouge overthrew Lon Nol's pro-Western government, which was crumbling after America left the Vietnam War. The Khmer Rouge's plan was to eliminate modern society and create an agrarian utopia. [1] The Khmer Rouge executed most educated people, people who had ties to the old government, and anyone who was believed to be a threat (doctors, teachers, soldiers, actors, singers, etc.), and restricted the remaining Cambodian population to what were effectively labor camps.
Pradal serey was banned under the Khmer Rouge regime, and many boxers were executed, nearly causing the art to be wiped out. In January 1979, the Vietnamese, along with a token force of Khmers led by ex-Khmer Rouge officers, overthrew the Khmer Rouge. Thereafter pradal serey was gradually revived.
Pradal serey is making a strong comeback since its banishment back in the 1970s. Numerous gyms have opened and large masses of students, local and foreign, have come to train in Cambodia. There are weekly matches held, in which many are televised, and many of Cambodia's best have traveled internationally to compete. There are currently about 70 boxing clubs.
A Khmer traditional wrestling match consists of three rounds. A round may be won by forcing an opponent to his back. A wrestler wins the match by winning two of the three rounds. After each round, the loser is asked if he wishes to continue with the match.
Wrestlers participate in pre-match ritual dancing before the match. The match is accompanied by the music of two drums (called Skor Ngey and Chhmol, "female drum" and "male drum").
Traditional matches are held during the Khmer New Year and other Cambodian holidays.
The Cambodian Football Federation is the governing body of football in Cambodia, controlling the Cambodian national football team as well as running the Cambodian League.
It was founded in 1933, and has been a member of FIFA since 1953, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) since 1957.
Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium is the national stadium, with a capacity of 48,529 to 70,000. [2] Morodok Techo National Sports Complex, a new modern multipurpose and international standard sports facility, is being constructed in Chroy Jong Va District, Phnom Penh, Cambodia and set to host the 2023 Southeast Asian Games.
The Cambodian Basketball League or CBL is the official Basketball League of Cambodia. It was founded in 2013. The top basketball players and teams from Cambodia compete for the CBL title every year at the Beeline Arena.
Ox cart racing is a sport in Cambodia that takes place during the Khmer New Year. It is done to preserve Cambodian culture. [3]
Pétanque is one of the more popular sports in Cambodia. [4] It was brought to Cambodia by the French. It is administered by the Cambodian Boules and Pétanque Federation. In 2019, 327 pétanque athletes from 25 provinces competed in the Natiaonal Pétanque Championships. [5]
Sepak takraw is a "kick-volleyball" sport, that is popular in Southeast Asia. It may also be known as si or chinlon in Cambodia. This sport is featured in the Southeast Asian Games.
Skateboaring is an emerging sport in Cambodia. [6] It started to emerge around 2010. The first skating shop opened in the country was "The Skate Shop". The NGO Skateistan opened in Cambodia in 2011. In 2013, Tony Hawk visited Cambodia to promote skateboarding via Skateistan. In 2019, the Cambodia Skateboard and Roller Sports Federation was formed.
Traditional boat racing is a popular sport in Cambodia. Competition usually take place during the water festival. Boats are usually long and contain large numbers of rowers.
There is a new indoor stadium in Phnom Penh, the Beeline Arena . Located at Sangkat Chroy Changvar, Khan Russei Keo. The arena was built to international standards. It is the first multi-purpose sports arena in Cambodia with international standard, including: - Multi-sports surface for futsal, basketball, volleyball and more - 2,000 person capacity - VIP lounge and restaurant - Sports, music, cultural and big screen events. Rental available.
In October 2013 in the harbor of the port of Sihanoukville opened the first in the history of Cambodia marina Oceania . [7] Marina is located on the harbor breakwater island of Koh Preab (Koh Prib).
Phnom Penh is the capital and most populous city of Cambodia. It has been the national capital since the French protectorate of Cambodia and has grown to become the nation's primate city and its economic, industrial, and cultural centre. Before Phnom Penh became capital city, Oudong was the capital of the country.
Kun Khmer, or Pradal Serey, is a combat sport that originated in Cambodia. The sport consists of stand up striking and clinch fighting, where the objective is to knock an opponent out, force a technical knockout, or win a match by points. The sport was codified in Cambodia by the French colonial administration in the early 20th century, and was derived from centuries-old traditions, namely Bokator, the close-quarter combat system used during the Khmer empire. The official Khmer name of the sport is Kbach Kun Pradal Khmer.
The National Olympic Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It has a capacity of 50,000. Despite its name, the stadium has never hosted an Olympic Games.
Eh Phouthong, also spelled Ei Phouthang and Eh Phuthong is a retired Cambodian professional kickboxer, Kun Khmer fighter, former reality TV host and currently a coach. Eh Phouthong was known for his powerful right kick which shattered many arms, he is considered a legend in Kun Khmer He is the most famous kickboxer from Cambodia. The AFP described Eh Phouthong as "Cambodia's Muhammad Ali". Eh Phouthong is the trainer of Cambodian champion, Thoeun Theara.
Bokator or Kun L'bokator is an ancient Cambodian battlefield martial art. It is one of the oldest fighting systems existing in the world and is recognised as intangible cultural heritage by the UNESCO.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Cambodia:
Muay Lao is a combat sport from Laos based on ancient Lao martial arts. It incorporates punches, kicks, elbow, and knee strikes. It can be traced back to the 15th century when it was used for military combat during the Lan Xang dynasty. It is similar to Muay Thai from Thailand and Pradal Serey from Cambodia. Muay Lao was an event at the 2009 Southeast Asian Games in Vientiane.
Thun Sophea is a retired professional kickboxer from Svay Rieng, Cambodia. He is the 2006 Cambodian Television Network Traditional Khmer Kickboxing champion. Thun Sophea trained at the Ministry of Defense Boxing Association under Chhit Sarim, who also trained Cambodian champion Eh Phouthong at the Ministry of Defense Boxing Club. Thun Sophea was once considered Cambodia's best kickboxer. He had defeated every notable Cambodian fighter including Sen Bunthen, Vorn Viva, Meas Chantha, Chey Kosal and Outh Phouthang.
Kbach Kun Khmer Boran is the umbrella term encompassing all Khmer martial arts. Among them, figure Bokator, Kun Khmer, Baok Chambab and Kbach Kun Dambong Veng. Cambodian martial arts are a thousand-year old tradition, as evidenced by archeological vestiges.
The traditional martial arts of the Mainland Southeast Asia are related to one another, and as a group to Indian martial arts. The most salient common feature is Mainland Southeast Asia kickboxing. The region of Mainland Southeast Asia is believed to be the land of Suvarnabhumi that ancient Indians mentioned in Buddhist text and Hindu text. In 790 A.D., a Khmer prince who grew up abroad by the name of Jayavarman II returned to unify the Khmer civilization. In 802 A.D., Jayavarman II established the Khmer Empire, the precursor to modern Cambodia, and declared himself the Chakravatin. Around 850 A.D., Pagan, the ancestor of modern-day Burma, was established by Tibeto-Burman speakers. For 200 years, Pagan remained a small principality until the reign of King Anawrahta. In 1238 A.D., Thailand's first state, Sukhothai, was started when the residents declared independence from the Khmer Empire. In 1353 A.D., Laos's first state, Lan Xang, was started by Fa Ngum with the assistance of the Khmer from Angkor.
San Kim Sean is a Cambodian martial art teacher. He is often referred to as the father of modern Bokator and is largely credited with reviving the art. At age 13, he studied bokator under Master Khim Leak at Wat Mohamandrey. San Kim Sean also studied boxing under Master Chai Chheng in 1959 and 1960. He studied Judo under Kru So Meng Hong. and Hapkido under Korean master Chhay Yong Ho. San Kim Sean is the founder of the Cambodia Bokator Federation and the Cambodia Bokator Academy.
Keo Rumchong is a Cambodian professional Kun Khmer fighter.
Kun Khmer competitions at the 2023 SEA Games took place at Morodok Techo National Stadium, Phnom Penh. Kun Khmer or Pradal serey is an ancient Cambodian variation of Kick boxing, dating back to the Khmer Empire in the 9th century AD. A total of 19 medals were awarded.
Thoeun Theara, is a Cambodian Kun Khmer fighter and kickboxer. In 2022, he rose to fame after becoming the first Cambodian boxer to win a title at a Thai Fight event when he won the Thai Fight Kard Chuek 72.5 kg King's Cup Championship by technical knockout against Thai star Saiyok Pumpanmuang in Thailand. After defeating Saiyok Pumpanmuang and Beckham Banchamek, the World Muaythai Organization (WMO) ranked Theara #1 in the world Muaythai middleweight rankings (72.5 kg) category. Theara is considered one of the most successful fighters in Kun Khmer.
Prom Samnang, is a Cambodian Kun Khmer fighter and is one of the most successful Kun Khmer fighters in Cambodia. In 2023, Samnang won the Thai Fight Kard Chuek championship title in Thailand and won the gold medal against Tun Tun Min in the Khun Khmer Men's 81kg division.
Phal Sophorn is a Cambodian professional Kun Khmer fighter originally from the capital city of Phnom Penh. He has extensive experience in both boxing and Kun Khmer kickboxing. His ring nickname is Nak Leng Keng Pi Kheat and Damrey Phluk Pi Kheat, which translate to "the Killer Elbow" and "the Killer Elephant" respectively.
Chhoeung Lvai, is a Cambodian kickboxer and Kun Khmer fighter. In 2023, he won the gold medal at the 32nd SEA Games in low kick kickboxing. He is the ISKA Kun Khmer World Light-middle champion(72.5 kg) The Kampuchea Thmey Daily listed him as a top 10 Kun Khmer boxer for 2024.
Pich Sambath is a Cambodian professional Kun Khmer fighter and kickboxer. As born in a poor family, Sambath sees Kun Khmer as a good career for his life. He starts training Kun Khmer in 2020 at Pich Sophann Kun Khmer Gym and his coach is Mr. Pich Sophann, a former Kun Khmer fighter. Currently his weight fighting range is 57 kg-60 kg. The Kampuchea Thmey Daily previously listed him as a top 10 Kun Khmer boxer in early 2023. The Kampuchea Thmey Daily listed him as a top 10 Kun Khmer boxer for 2024.
Pich Sophann is a retired professional Kun Khmer fighter and kickboxer. Now he is a Kun Khmer trainer and a founder of Pich Sophann 8888 Kun Khmer Gym and Kun Khmer Grassroots Super fight and Gym. He has 40 trainees under his supervision included Pich Sambath, a famous champion of Kun Khmer lightweight 60 kg. Sophann was named as Heavy Fist Punch Fighter during his fighting career from 1999–2009.
Chhut Serey Vannthong is a Cambodian martial artist that competes professionally in the Cambodian sport of Kun Khmer. He is a member of Cambodia's national Kun Khmer team. The Kampuchea Thmey Daily previously listed him as a top 10 Kun Khmer boxer in early 2023. The Kampuchea Thmey Daily listed him as a top 10 Kun Khmer boxer for 2024.
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