Chey Raksa
March 21, 2019

Under the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s, many of Cambodia’s culture and heritage was lost, along with vital knowledge about Khmer boxing.

"One of the striking details one can note on the walls of the Angkor Temples are the stories of the nation’s struggle to freedom through honour, valour, and combat. Whilst most Cambodian warriors are overshadowed by their more popular counterparts such as Japan’s Samurais, they are as ferocious as well. These Cambodian warriors who fought enemies through hand to hand combat. Pradal Serey and Bokator are two forms of martial arts popular in Cambodia, both known as the original South East Asian martial art."

"Kun Khmer is widely popular in Cambodia, that several fights are hosted every week. It is under the supervision and regulation of the Cambodian Boxing Federation (CBF). The organization hosts several tournaments broadcasted weekly. In Siem Reap is a Pradal Serey boxing stadium known as The Ring of Champions. The CTN Angkor Arena can sit 700 spectators has tournaments every Wednesday featuring fighters worldwide."

"Despite being a free fighting sport, the boxers are not allowed to bite, give blows to the back and crotch, to hold on to the ropes, and hitting the opponent whilst lying on the ground. Should one of the boxers can no longer continue fighting, the referee will stop the fight. Winning is by knockout. A knockout is proclaimed if a boxer slumps on the ground and cannot fight after a referee counts for 10 seconds."

"Despite being illegal in Cambodia, locals are very much active in betting. Some even resort to placing wagers online where the government cannot trace their bets. To many boxing specialists, the sacredness of the fighting art is lost in the modernisation of the sport. In the olden days, Kun Khmer fights are held in pagodas, which means boxers and spectators are expected to behave in a respectable manner. The use of modern stadium during fights subjects the martial art to disrespect. The widespread gambling in Kun Khmer fights is even regarded as the one that strips off the sacredness of the sport."

Full https://www.expatbets.com/cambodia/kun- ... d-betting/

The Martial Art Of Kun Khmer: Cambodia’s Pride And Pastime
Matias Andres
Apr 12, 2020
The Cambodian martial art of Kun Khmer has made a remarkable journey from the depths of an ancient civilization to the global stage.
Today, martial arts fans all over the world are mesmerized whenever a Kun Khmer practitioner steps into the Circle and competes in ONE Championship.

Here is what sets the discipline apart from other Southeast Asian martial arts.

A Rich Martial Arts Lineage
In the 900-year-old temple of Angkor Wat in northern Cambodia, depictions of Yutakhun Khom are carved into its walls. This ancient martial art gave birth to the modern discipline of Kun Khmer.

Using a variety of kicks, punches, knees, and the now widely-feared elbow, Yutakhun Khom might have played a crucial role in the dominant rule of the grand Angkor Empire.

Once reigning supreme over most of mainland Southeast Asia, the Angkor Empire became the largest urban center of its time and was a breeding ground for many of Cambodia’s oldest martial arts.

Flyweight phenom Chan Rothana learned Yutakhun Khom from his father and has kept the tradition alive by merging it with modern mixed martial arts moves, thus building on the Khmer combat sports tradition.

A National Pride And Pastime

Kun Khmer also stands out for its ability to capture the attention of both male and female fans, young and old alike.

However, the Cambodian pastime is growing beyond the borders of the country and is gaining momentum with the help of fresh faces like Kun Khmer World Champion Nou Srey Pov.

The young striker made a huge statement when she upset Thai hero Rika “Tiny Doll” Ishige in her ONE Championship debut at ONE: CLASH OF LEGENDS in early 2019 – and now, she is using her newfound platform to give back to the community.

“I want to show that Cambodian women are strong,” Srey Pov says, “and tell all women that they can also reach their goals.”
Full article: https://www.onefc.com/lifestyle/the-mar ... d-pastime/