Kun Khmer

Kun Khmer
គុនខ្មែរ

Also known as	Pradal, Pradal Kun Khmer, Pradal Serey, Khmer Boxing
Focus	Striking, clinching
Hardness	Full-contact
Country of origin	Cambodia
Famous practitioners	Keo Rumchong, Thun Sophea, Chea Sarak, Oumry Ban, Vorn Viva, Meas Chantha, Thoeun Theara
Parenthood	Bokator
Olympic sport	No

Kun Khmer (Khmer: គុនខ្មែរ [kun kʰmae] lit. 'Khmer Martial Art'), or Pradal Serey (Khmer: ប្រដាល់សេរី [prɑɗal seːrəj] lit. 'Free Boxing'), 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 (Khmer: ក្បាច់គុនប្រដាល់ខ្មែរ [kʰɓac kun prɑɗal kʰmae] lit. 'Khmer Martial Art of Boxing').

Kun Khmer is most well-known for its kicking and elbows 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. The clinch is used to wear down the opponent. In the clinch, opponents battle for the 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. In Kun Khmer, more victories come by way of an elbow technique than any other strikes.

History

Further information: Bokator

Map of the Khmer Empire (802–1431 AD), where Kun Khmer traces its origin.

Kun Khmer developed from the ancient Khmer martial arts, now commonly referred to as Bokator. Dating back to the 1st century AD, the martial arts in Cambodia are deeply rooted in the country's history, and are depicted in the various bas-reliefs of the Angkor period. During the early 20th century, the local martial traditions were codified by the French administration, giving birth to Pradal Serey, now more widely known as Kun Khmer. Boxing matches were originally fought in dirt pits with limited rules, while hands were wrapped in rope. From 1920 to 1930, it was common for boxing matches to result in deaths. In order to avoid the fatal casualties, the French set up a series of rules that combined Western boxing with Khmer boxing. The introduction of boxing rings, rounds, and gloves, as well as the prohibition of life-threatening techniques, transformed the local martial arts into a sport. With those new sets of rules, French and Khmer boxers would compete against each other in tournaments. In the 1960s, Cambodian boxing promoters held inter-martial arts exhibitions.

Downfall and revival of Kun Khmer

Khmer warrior using a thrust kick on Rahu in a bas-relief from the Banteay Chhmar temple (12th/13th century).

During the chaos of the Vietnam War, Cambodia was undergoing its own civil war. On April 17, 1975, the Maoist Communist rebels, the Khmer Rouge under the orders of Pol Pot, overthrew the government of the Khmer Republic then-led by Lon Nol. The Khmer Rouge's plan was to eliminate modern society, and create an agrarian utopia. The Khmer Rouge executed educated people, others who had ties to the old government, or anyone who was believed to be “advantaged” by the old society (doctors, teachers, soldiers, actors, singers, boxers, etc.), and forced the remaining Khmer population into labor camps—in which hundreds of thousands died in executions, starvation and diseases—to be re-educated under the new government. Traditional martial arts were banned at this time, and many boxers were executed or worked to death, which nearly caused the demise of Kun Khmer. An estimated 1.7 million Cambodians, or 21% of the population, died during the Khmer Rouge regime, according to the studies of the Cambodia Genocide Program of Yale University. This despotic subjugation lasted for four years until 1979, when the Vietnamese, invaded and overthrew the Khmer Rouge. During the relative stability with the Vietnamese’s protection and after the departure of the Vietnamese, the Kingdom of Cambodia, reestablished the Kingdom of Cambodia, and the countries traditional arts were attempted to be revived, including Kun Khmer.

Kun Khmer match at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh in the early 1970s

Kun Khmer made a strong comeback since its prohibition in the 1970s. Cambodia has made an effort to popularise its style of boxing, despite the lack of financial funding. Numerous gyms have opened, and large masses of students, local and foreign, have come to train in Cambodia. There are weekly matches held, the majority televised live, and many of Cambodia's best have traveled internationally to compete. There are currently approximately 70 boxing clubs nationwide. In 1987, one of the first Kun Khmer schools abroad opened in the United States. It was started by a former national champion by the name of Oumry Ban in Cambodia Town, Long Beach, California.

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.

900 year old bas-relief of knee attack to the head. Located at Angkor Wat (1100s).

Kun Khmer martial artists practicing knee techniques in modern-day.

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 (FAMK), based in France; the Ánh Binh Minh Khmer Martial Arts Association, located 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. The International Sport Kickboxing Association (ISKA), based in the United Kingdom, has held matches involving Cambodian boxers. Additionally, Khmer boxers have fought abroad in countries such as South Korea.

There have been concerns about the betting and rowdiness among Kun Khmer fans. Commenting on how the behavior of boxing audiences has noticeably worsened over the years, Cambodian trainer Chiit Sarim has remarked, “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, CTN holds live tournaments on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Bayon Television holds live kickboxing tournaments on Saturday and Sunday, while TV3 holds a single tournament on Sunday, and Apsara TV has added a single tournament on Thursday.

Khmer soldier uses a thrust kick on a Cham soldier in a bas-relief from Banteay Chhmar temple (12th/13th century).

Thrust kick in a modern Kun Khmer match.

Recently, travel journalists and tourists have exposed Kun Khmer to the western world. Features in television programs have further popularized the martial art amongst global viewers; Kun Khmer was featured on The History Channel's Human Weapon, and was also mentioned on the Cambodian episode of Globetrekker. In February 2009, American footballer Dhani Jones filmed an episode of his series Dhani Tackles the Globe in Phnom Penh, training with Long Salavorn at the Salavorn Keila club, and subsequently fighting Pan Phanith at the CTN arena.

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, the Cambodian Television Network (CTN) screened a Kun Khmer reality television series called Kun Khmer Champion. The show featured 65 kilogramme (143.3 lbs.) 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 20097 and a third in 2010, both co-hosted by Vorn Viva.

On August 28, 2008, Cambodian boxers Vorn Viva and Meas Chantha won the ISKA Middleweight and Welterweight world titles in Phnom Penh. It was the first time a Cambodian had held a kickboxing world title.

In 2011, Prime Minister Hun Sen created a committee responsible for documenting and researching the sport of Khmer kickboxing in order to have it included on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list. 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.

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 collectively 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.

However, 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 2005 Southeast Asian Games, Cambodia did not enter the Muay Thai event in protest of the name used to refer to the sport. At subsequent Southeast Asian Games, Southeast Asian boxing has been known by the ethnically neutral term "muay," with the exception of the 2009 Southeast Asian Games in Vientiane, when the sport was called Muay Lao. The decision did not spark any controversy or negative reaction from Thailand or Cambodia at that time.

At the 2023 Southeast Asian Games, held in Cambodia, the event was called Kun Khmer instead of Muay Thai, which led to a boycott by Thailand. In response, Cambodia said it would retaliate by not sending boxers to the 2025 games in Thailand. The Secretary-general of the Cambodian Southeast Asian Games Organising Committee, Vath Chamroeun, asserted, “We are the host country, so we have the right to change it to Kun Khmer, as the sport has its origin in Khmer, and it is our culture.” Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen addressed the issue by proposing, “When competing in Cambodia, we call it Kun Khmer; when competing in Thailand, we call it Muay Thai; when competing in Laos, we call it Muay Lao; and in Myanmar, we call it the name of their original martial arts. Can we find a compromise?”

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has suggested that Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand jointly apply for UNESCO status for traditional martial arts. Initially, Muay Lao Federation’s President, Saysamone Sayasone, supported the renaming, and concurred that the sport originated indeed in Cambodia. However, amidst severe backlash from Thailand, he was compelled to apologise for his statements. The International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) threatened six member-countries from Southeast Asia—Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore—with a two-year ban on any IFMA competitions and activities, should they join the competition. Eventually, only Thai athletes boycotted the competition.

Life as a boxer

Kun Khmer is an athletic sport that relies on agility, toughness, and flexibility. 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 impoverished backgrounds, and compete to earn money to feed their families and themselves. Top kickboxers can have as many as 200–300 fights in their careers.

Clinching is a part of every Kun Khmer match.

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 practices, 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, while more experienced kickboxers 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.

An estimated 70% of boxers in the Phnom Penh circuit come from the rural northwest. The provinces of Battambang and Banteay Meanchey produce a steady supply of boxers. Some of the best Kun Khmer champions come from the Battambang Province, although a number of big name stars have come via Southern Cambodia, such as Eh Phouthong from Koh Kong Province, Thun Sophea from Svay Rieng Province, and Meas Chantha and Seng Makara from Kandal Province. Cambodian boxers train in a gym under a Kun Khmer kru. Many boxers train 6–8 hours a day and 7 days a week.

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 kickboxers have sustained serious injury in the ring, including broken wrists, arms, shins, noses, and jaws, in addition to dislodged shoulders and hip injuries. 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.

Rules and match setup

A warrior kneeling for a praying ritual known as tvay kru or kun kru. This ritual is used before fighting.

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. 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". 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. The pre-competition teacher offering ritual also serves to warm the muscle and increase blood flow. The praying ritual at the preliminaries of the boxing match is considered a real dance. Traditional Cambodian music performed with the instruments of the sampho (a type of drum), the sralai klang khek (oboe) and the chhing is played during the match. The music of Khmer boxing is called vung phleng pradall or vung phleng klang khek. The music is made up of two sections. The first section is for the boxer's teachers while the second section is the fight music. The first part uses a spirit(teacher) to help the boxers concentrate their minds and have confidence. The first part of the music is played slowly in a rubato style. The melody is played by the sralai(oboe) and the sampho(drum) plays strokes at important points of the melody. The second part which is the fight music is played much faster and in meter. The music accelerates with the progression of the round. It stops at the end of the round or when someone is knocked out. When the fight is exciting, the audience claps in rhythm with the beat of the sampho(drum). Modern boxers wear leather gloves and nylon shorts.

Rules:

1. A boxer is not allowed to strike his opponent while he is on the ground.
2. A boxer is not allowed to bite.
3. When an opponent cannot continue, the referee stops the fight.
4. Blows to the back of the opponent are not allowed.
5. A boxer may not hold on to the ropes.
6. 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.

Promoters

• Cambodian Television Network
• Bayon Television
• TV5 Cambodia
• National Television of Cambodia

Notable Kun Khmer boxers

• Chey Kosal
• Bird Kham
• Lerk Vibol
• Vorn Viva
• Noun Phirum
• Khim Dima
• Pich Sambath
• Chit Sarim
• Chea Sarak
• Thun Sophea: 2006 CTN 67 kg kickboxing champion
• Bun Sothea: Two time Kubota Champion(54 kg and 60 kg). Student of Thun Sophea.
• Keo Rumchong: Kun Khmer fighter competitor fighting out of Battambang, Cambodia
• 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
• Sen Rady
• Chey Kosal

Image gallery

• 
  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
• 
  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-relief of 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

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 ", 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.

External links

• European Khmer Boxing Federation
• Fédération des Arts martiaux Khmers