Kun Khmer
full-contact | |
Country of origin | Cambodia |
---|---|
Famous practitioners | Eh Phouthong, Thun Sophea, Albert Veera Chey, Keo Rumchong, Meas Chantha, The Ouk family, Oumry Ban, Thoeun Theara |
Parenthood | Bokator[2] |
Olympic sport | No |
Kun Khmer (
Kun Khmer is most well known for its kicking technique, which generates power from hip rotation rather than snapping the leg. Kun Khmer consists of four types of strikes: punches, kicks, elbows and knee strikes.[6] The clinch is used to wear down the opponent. In the clinch, opponents battle for dominant position for short range strikes by way of elbows and knees. Cambodian fighters tend to utilize more elbow strikes than that of other martial arts in the region.[7] In Kun Khmer, more victories come by way of an elbow technique than any other strikes.
History
Kun Khmer developed from the ancient Khmer martial arts, now commonly referred to as
Downfall and revival of Kun Khmer
During the chaos of the
Kun Khmer made a strong comeback since its prohibition in the 1970s.
Kun Khmer is administered in Cambodia by the Cambodian Boxing Federation (CBF), formerly the Cambodian Amateur Boxing Federation (CABF), which was established in 1961. All referees, judges and fighters must be licensed by the CABF. Television stations which hold Khmer boxing tournaments do so under the supervision of the CBF. The individual stations are responsible for organizing boxers, trainers, medical staff and musicians. The CBF supplies the match referees, judges and time-keepers. The current president of the CBF is Major-General Tem Moeun.[18][19][20] Abroad, Cambodian boxing is promoted by four organizations. These organizations include the European Khmer Boxing Federation based in Germany, the Fédération des Arts Martiaux Khmers also called FAMK, based in France, the Anh Binh Minh Khmer Martial Arts Association in Vietnam and Kun Khmer Australia based in Australia. Other newly created organizations can be found in Spain and Italy, while Belgium is in the process of forming its own Khmer boxing organization.[21] The International Sport Kickboxing Association based in the United Kingdom have held matches involving Cambodian boxers. Khmer boxers have fought abroad in countries such as South Korea.[22]
There have been concerns about the betting and rowdiness among Kun Khmer fans.[14] Cambodian trainer Chiit Sarim had this to say about the difference between the boxing scene then and now, "I traveled from pagoda to pagoda to box at competitions during the water festival. Pagodas were the traditional venue for boxing matches... They [the current fans] act inappropriately. They raise up their hands and scream noisily. They gamble and do not respect the boxers. They think of only winning their bet. During my time, there was no such thing. Fights were organized nicely and were very popular. Now fans have no morality".
Tournaments are screened live on national television. TV5 Cambodia holds live tournaments on Friday and Sunday,
Recent exposure to Kun Khmer in the western world have come from travel journalists and tourists. In addition, Kun Khmer was featured on
Songchai Ratanasuban, the number one promoter in Thailand, brought his S1 Promotion to Phnom Penh in June 2005. In the Cambodian S1 World Championship, Bun Sothea won the tournament. He defeated Michael Paszowski, Dzhabar Askerov and Lor Samnang in front of 30,000 people at the Phnom Penh National Olympic Stadium.
In 2008 Cambodian Television Network (CTN) screened a Kun Khmer reality television series called Kun Khmer Champion. The show featured 65 kilogramme boxers and was produced by Ma Serey and Aaron Leverton and co-hosted by Ma Serey and Cambodia's most famous kickboxer, Eh Phouthong. The first series was followed by a second in 2009 and a third in 2010, both co-hosted by Vorn Viva.
On August 28, 2008, Cambodian boxers Vorn Viva and Meas Chantha won the
In 2011, Prime Minister Hun Sen created a committee responsible for documenting and researching the sport of Khmer kickboxing to have it included on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list. [28] The 19 member committee included Culture Minister Him Chhem, the boxing federation, Council of Minister officials and other officials from other government ministries.
In 2011, there were 1,000 registered boxers from 78 martial arts schools.
As of 2012, there are over 50 Kun Khmer fights held every week in the Phnom Penh region.[29]
Attempt to unite boxing styles
Nearby Southeast Asian countries have similar styles of boxing martial arts. At an ASEAN meeting in 1995, Cambodia suggested that the Thai boxing style, Muay Thai, be referred to as "Sovannaphum boxing", or "SEA Boxing", which would represent Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. Sovannaphum means "golden land" in Khmer and is written as Suwannabhumi in Thai. The name refers to mainland Southeast Asia in the ancient Indian language of Pali.
Thailand would not compromise, stating that each Southeast Asian country has its own boxing style and that Thailand was responsible for making its boxing style an international sport. When it debuted at the
The decision did not sparked any controversy or negative reaction from Thailand or Cambodia at that time.At the
Life as a boxer
Kun Khmer is an athletic sport that relies on agility, toughness and flexibility.[38] Most participants are young adults due to the physical conditioning that a boxer must endure to keep their body in shape. The average age ranges from 14 to 25. Most Cambodian boxers come from a poor background and compete to earn money to feed their families and themselves. Top kickboxers can have as many as 200–300 fights in their careers.[39]
Cambodian boxers were traditionally paid by the crowd. If the crowd appreciated the boxer's efforts, they would reward him with food, alcohol and cash. This practice still continues today but, in line with western practice, bouts pay official fees. Until recently the average purse for a fight was US$15. Today purses are based on experience. A new Cambodian boxer can earn US$25 per fight. More experienced kick boxers with more than a dozen fights can earn up to $75. "Brand name" kickboxers can earn over $100 a fight. Special purse fights will pay up to $250 with the purse contributed by a corporate sponsor. "International" tournaments, organised by the broadcasters, will pay individual purses of up to $1000, sometimes higher.[39]
An estimated 70% of boxers in the Phnom Penh circuit come from the rural northwest. The provinces of
Health risk
As with all contact sports, health risks are a factor. According to Chhoeung Yavyen, a ringside doctor for the Cambodian Amateur Boxing Association, in the past five years 30 kick boxers have sustained serious injury in the ring including broken wrists and arms, broken shins, broken noses, dislodged shoulders, hip injuries and broken jaws. One Cambodian boxer died in the ring in Svay Rieng Province in 2001, but that death was the result of a heart attack, probably brought on by diet pills consumed to help the boxer reduce his weight before the bout. Most of the injuries suffered are curable and don't leave lasting problems. Most boxers are allowed to return to the ring after receiving treatment.[41]
Rules and match setup
A match consists of five three-minute rounds and takes place in a 6.1 meter square boxing ring. A one-and-a-half or two-minute break occurs between each round. In olden times, ancient Khmer people would do praying rituals before going to the battlefield or war.
[42] At the beginning of each match the boxers practice the praying rituals known as the kun kru or thvayobangkoum krou. There are different variations of the thvayobangkoum krou ritual with different names such as "Hanuman ties the bridge to Sita".[43] There are 17 different variations of the ritual. Most are based on the main characters of the Reamker story and believe to have occurred when Cambodia had a strong belief in Hinduism.[44] The pre-competition teacher offering ritual also serves to warm the muscle and increase blood flow.[45]
The praying ritual at the preliminaries of the boxing match is considered a real dance.
Rules:
- A boxer is not allowed to strike his opponent while he is on the ground.
- A boxer is not allowed to bite.
- When an opponent cannot continue, the referee stops the fight.
- Blows to the back of the opponent are not allowed.
- A boxer may not hold on to the ropes.
- Blows to the genitals are prohibited.
Victory can be obtained by knockout. A knockout occurs when a boxer is knocked down to the ground and cannot continue fighting after a 10-second count by the referee, a referee may forgo the count and declare a knockout if it is obvious the boxer will not regain his feet unaided. Victory can be obtained at 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.[49]
Promoters
Notable Kun Khmer boxers
- Eh Phouthong: TV5 Champion, Khmer Traditional Kickboxing Champion, Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen champion
- Yuth Phouthorng: Koh Kong Province governor and original teacher of Eh Phouthong[50]
- Thun Sophea: 2006 CTN 67 kg kickboxing champion
- Bun Sothea: Two time Kubota Champion(54 kg and 60 kg). Student of Thun Sophea.[51]
- Chan Rothana: Owner of Selapak gym and current ONE Championship fighter[52]
- Keo Rumchong: Kun Khmer fighter competitor fighting out of Battambang, Cambodia[53]
- Oumry Ban: Former Kun Khmer Champion to held the first national title in 1964 at 61 kilograms and current owner of Long Beach Kickboxing Center[54]
- Sen Radath: Current Kun Khmer fighter and Vovinam Cambodia team fighting at 51 kilograms. He is a YouTube vlogger showing the art of Kun Khmer to his viewers.[55]
- Prom Samnang: Techo Santepheap Kun Khmer World Champion (77 kg) [56]
- Phal Sophorn: Carabao Champion (63.5 kg), Cambodia Beer Champion (63.5 kg), IPCC Kun Khmer Champion(63.5 kg)
Image gallery
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Thrust kick to the quadriceps. Located at Banteay Chhma temple(12th/13th century)
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Thrust Kick
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High thrust kick to shoulder and elbow attack to the head. Bas-relief at Angkor Wat(1100s)
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Front kick to the torso
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High kick demonstration. Located at Bayon temple
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High kick and a dodge in Khmer boxing match
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Bas-reliefof intercepting a kick
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Intercepting a kick in Cambodian boxing match
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Elbow attack and intercepting a kick. Bas-relief at Angkor Wat(1100s)
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Bas-relief from the entrance pillars of the Bayon of elbow attacks
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Elbow strike in Khmer martial art
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Elbow to the jaw and knee attack. Bas-relief at Angkor Wat(1100s)
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Knee technique at Angkor Wat(1100s)
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Flying knee and elbow technique used in Khmer martial arts
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Knee attack and punches. Bas-relief at Angkor Wat(1100s)
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Knee and uppercut strike
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A knee strike during a match
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Bas-relief at the Bayon(12th/13th century). In the upper left corner, a martial artist uses a thrust kick on his opponent. In the lower right corner, a martial artist demonstrates a high kick.
See also
- Boxing
- Kickboxing
- Karate
- Boxe Française
- Khmer Traditional Wrestling
References
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- ^ Goyder, James (April 26, 2014). "The A-Fighters: Reviving Cambodian Culture Through Khmer Martial Arts". Fightland. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
- ^ a b Sao, SokEng (7 February 2023). "Master San Kim Sean: 'Free Boxing' is a Name Given by France, but 'Kun Khmer' is Purely Cambodian". EAC News.
- ^ Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of Cambodia. "Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Cambodia".
Furthermore, it is developed into a popular national sport called Khmer traditional boxing.
- Al Jazeera.
- Vice news.
The most notable difference between the two fighting styles is the more frequent use of elbows in Pradal Serey than in Muay Thai.
- ^ "Kun L'Bokator, traditional martial arts in Cambodia". unesco.org.
- ^ Lim, Nary (31 January 2023). "Archaeologist shows Cambodian martial art sculptures at Khmer temples". Khmer Times. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
A well-rounded archaeologist of the APSARA National Authority has unveiled Cambodian martial art bas-relief sculptures at temples at Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap province. The archaeologist Phoeung Dara said that some Cambodian martial art bas-relief sculptures are related to Kun Khmer, wrestling and Lbokator.
- ^ "ស្វែងយល់កំណើតកីឡាប្រដាល់សេរីនៅកម្ពុជា". Koh Santepheap Daily (in Khmer).
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- ^ "TV5 Cambodia Friday Schedule". Channel 5 Cambodia. 2011. Retrieved 2011-02-17.
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- ^ Roeun, Van. (2011, July 14). Premier Establishes Kickboxing Committee to Win Unesco Bid Status. The Cambodian Daily. https://english.cambodiadaily.com/news/premier-establishes-kickboxing-committee-to-win-unesco-bid-statu-66215/
- ^ Starkweather, Robert (2012-08-31). "A complete guide to watching Kun Khmer / Pradal Serey, the Cambodian equivalent to Muay Thai". combat-asia.com. Combat Asia. Retrieved 2012-08-31.
- ^ "Cambodia to boycott Thai boxing event over name row". Turkish Daily News. Turkish Daily News. 2005.
- ^ "What is muaythai? Thai boxing sport at South-East Asian Game". Olympics. 12 May 2022.
Since then, it has also appeared at the 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2019 Games – being dropped in favour of muay Lao (Laotian boxing) in 2009 and excluded completely in 2011 and 2015.
- ^ "Thailand, Cambodia brawl over kickboxing event name at SEA Games". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Agence France-Presse. 24 January 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
- ^ Sirivadh, H. (2023, March 2). Prime Minister Hun Sen Proposes Solution to SEA Games Dispute Over Khmer and Thai Martial Arts. EAC News. Retrieved September 20, 2023, from https://eacnews.asia/home/details/20448
- ^ Chanritheara, T. (2023, March 2). PM Seeks Cultural Heritage Name Compromises. Cambodianess. Retrieved April 13, 2023, from https://cambodianess.com/article/pm-seeks-cultural-heritage-name-compromises
- ^ Phontam, Visapra (2023-05-03). "Muay Lao Federation's President Apologizes for Controversial Remarks". The Laotian Times. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
- ^ "Why S'pore was warned not to send Muay Thai athletes to SEA Games 2023". Mothership. 13 May 2023.
In February, the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (Ifma) warned six member-countries from Southeast Asia -- Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore -- not to send their Muay Thai athletes to the 2023 SEA Games to compete in the Kun Khmer competition or risk being banned from Ifma competitions and activities for two years.
- ^ "Thais to skip Kun Khmer event". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
- ^ Vongs, Moul. "Khmer Boxing." Leisure Cambodia, Dec. 2001, www.leisurecambodia.com/news/detail.php?id=199. Accessed 9 September 2020.
- ^ a b Mallon, Scott (2003). "Traditional Khmer Boxing, The Comeback". Iron Life Magazine. 2 (11). Archived from the original on 2006-05-16. Retrieved 2011-02-17.
- ^ Roeun, Van, & Doyle, K. (2003, August 23). Elbows, Fists, Knees and Kicks. Khmer Times. Retrieved September 1, 2020, from https://english.cambodiadaily.com/news/elbows-fists-knees-and-kicks-40162/
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- ^ ក្បាច់ថ្វាយបង្គំគ្រូកាន់តែច្រើនមិនត្រូវគេយកមកប្រើ [More and more teacher worship techniques are not being used]. (2016, February 23). Kohsantepheap Daily. Retrieved May 7, 2022, from https://kohsantepheapdaily.com.kh/article/140334.html
- ^ Sarita, N. (2009, October 4). អ្នកប្រដាល់ខ្មែរជើងចាស់នាំក្បាច់គុនខ្មែរមកស.រ.អា. [Veteran Khmer boxer brings Khmer martial arts to US]. Voice of America. Retrieved February 22, 2022, from https://khmer.voanews.com/a/a-40-2009-10-04-voa3-90179747/1141521.html
- ^ តើការថ្វាយបង្គំគ្រូមុនពេលប្រដាល់មានឥទ្ធិពលយ៉ាងណាចំពោះកីឡាករ? [How does pre-boxing teacher worship affect boxers?]. (2017, August 17). Koh Santepheap Daily. Retrieved February 22, 2022, from https://kohsantepheapdaily.com.kh/article/%E1%9E%8F%E1%9E%BE%E2%80%8B%E1%9E%80%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%9A%E2%80%8B%E1%9E%90%E1%9F%92%E1%9E%9C%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%99%E1%9E%94%E1%9E%84%E1%9F%92%E1%9E%82%E1%9F%86%E2%80%8B%E1%9E%82%E1%9F%92%E1%9E%9A%E1%9E%BC.html
- ^ Tith, S. (2020, September 8). សារៈសំខាន់នៃការថ្វាយគ្រូសម្រាប់អ្នកប្រដាល់គុនខ្មែរ [The importance of teacher training for Khmer boxers]. AMS Sports. Retrieved February 22, 2022,from https://ams.com.kh/sports/detail/638
- ^ Marchal, S. (1927). LA DANSE AU CAMBODGE. Revue Des Arts Asiatiques, 4(4), 216-228. Retrieved September 29, 2020, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/43475410
- ^ Spiller, H. (2004). Gamelan : the traditional sounds of Indonesia. United Kingdom: ABC-CLIO.
- ^ Williams, S., & Miller, T. E. (Eds.).(2011). The Garland Handbook of Southeast Asian Music. Taylor & Francis.
- ^ a b Vongs, Moul (December 1, 2001). "Khmer Boxing". Leisure Cambodia. 1 (7). Archived from the original on May 16, 2011. Retrieved 2011-02-17.
- ^ Sothy, Meun (2004). "Khmer kickboxing club established for young generation boxers". Cambodiantown.com. Archived from the original on January 5, 2009. Retrieved May 11, 2006.
- ^ Nuon, S. (2020, April 14). Bun Sothea becomes the fifth Cambodian boxer to win two belts in a single boxing event. Retrieved December 29, 2020, from https://news.sabay.com.kh/article/1202520
- ^ "Chan Rothana". ONE Championship – The Home Of Martial Arts.
- ^ "Keo Rumchong". December 26, 2018.
- ^ "Kickboxing in Long Beach, California | Photo story | Stephane Janin | Asia Motion". www.asiamotion.net.
- ^ "Sen Radeth Official - YouTube". www.youtube.com.
- ^ Nonn, C. (2023, July 17). ធឿន ធារ៉ា និង ព្រំ សំណាង បានឈ្នះខ្សែក្រវាត់ ស្របពេលសង្វៀនថោន បានបង្កើតប្រវត្តិសាស្ត្រថ្មីសម្រាប់គុនខ្មែរ [Thoeun Theara and Prom Samnang win belts while Town Arena makes new history for Khmer martial arts]. The Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved July 18, 2023, from https://www.postkhmer.com/sport/2023-07-17-1655-252423.html
Further reading
- Vongs, Moul. "Khmer Boxing", Leisure Cambodia, December 2001, retrieved May 27, 2013.
- The Associated Press. "Cambodia to boycott Thai boxing even over name row", Turkish Daily News, October 23, 1999, retrieved November 4, 2006.
- Sieng-You, Thearon. "Boxing Khmère "[permanent dead link], Writing of Angkor N°5 via Les Jeunes Khmers, retrieved November 4, 2006.
- Mallon, Scott. "Back on their feet" The Irrawaddy, March 2005, retrieved November 4, 2006.