By Greg Mellen, Staff writer
Long Beach Press Telegram (Long Beach, Calif. USA)
Khmer kickboxing is an ancient martial art that proponents say predates the more popular and widely known Muay Thai, or Thai boxing.
The sport, also called Pradal Serey, is said to date back to the ancient Angkor Empire and is displayed in bas-reliefs on 12th century temples at the Angkor Wat temple complex and elsewhere in the country.
In ancient times, bouts were often fought to the death. Fighters either wore no gloves or wore seashells over their knuckles to inflict maximum damage.
The sport differs from some other forms of kickboxing in that it allows the use of elbows and knees, as well as holding while hitting.
The professional fights consist of five three-minute rounds, with two-minute breaks between rounds. By contrast, professional boxing matches can last up to 12 rounds. For this reason, the action in Khmer kickboxing is often fast and frenetic.
Traditional music is often played during bouts by a skor yaul (drum), sralai (a flute-like instrument) and the stringed chhing. Before bouts, boxers ritualistically honor each other.
It rankles proponents of the Khmer kickboxing that the sport has been co-opted by Thailand and is internationally referred to as Muay Thai.
Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, which have their own versions of kickboxing, have declined in the past to join the international Muay Thai Federation because of the name and Cambodia did not participate in the sport in the 2005 Southeast Asian Games in protest of the name.
The sport was banned by the Khmer Rouge when it came to power in 1975, and many top fighters were killed. The sport resurfaced after the Khmer Rouge were ousted in 1979. The sport is once again considered a national sport and bouts are regularly aired on national television.
The Cambodia Daily newspaper reported the country has more than 100 Khmer kickboxing clubs, and more than 300 fighters compete in eight weight classes in the national selection fights each October.
Greg Mellen can be reached at greg.mellen@presstelegram.com or (562) 499-1291.
The sport, also called Pradal Serey, is said to date back to the ancient Angkor Empire and is displayed in bas-reliefs on 12th century temples at the Angkor Wat temple complex and elsewhere in the country.
In ancient times, bouts were often fought to the death. Fighters either wore no gloves or wore seashells over their knuckles to inflict maximum damage.
The sport differs from some other forms of kickboxing in that it allows the use of elbows and knees, as well as holding while hitting.
The professional fights consist of five three-minute rounds, with two-minute breaks between rounds. By contrast, professional boxing matches can last up to 12 rounds. For this reason, the action in Khmer kickboxing is often fast and frenetic.
Traditional music is often played during bouts by a skor yaul (drum), sralai (a flute-like instrument) and the stringed chhing. Before bouts, boxers ritualistically honor each other.
It rankles proponents of the Khmer kickboxing that the sport has been co-opted by Thailand and is internationally referred to as Muay Thai.
Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, which have their own versions of kickboxing, have declined in the past to join the international Muay Thai Federation because of the name and Cambodia did not participate in the sport in the 2005 Southeast Asian Games in protest of the name.
The sport was banned by the Khmer Rouge when it came to power in 1975, and many top fighters were killed. The sport resurfaced after the Khmer Rouge were ousted in 1979. The sport is once again considered a national sport and bouts are regularly aired on national television.
The Cambodia Daily newspaper reported the country has more than 100 Khmer kickboxing clubs, and more than 300 fighters compete in eight weight classes in the national selection fights each October.
Greg Mellen can be reached at greg.mellen@presstelegram.com or (562) 499-1291.
8 comments:
Very true about Cambodians protested or declined that we don't recognize the Thai so called "Muay Thai". The Cambodian and other Southeast Asian nations ask the Thai to give them proofs and evidences that the THAI copy the KHMER marshal art without asking the Cambodian which we (KHMER) have the proof date back to the ancient Angkor Empire and the display in bas-reliefs on the 12th century. I am telling you the THAI has stolen everything from us. You name it there are much more. A couple years ago there were international display of showing and playing ancient instruments in Bangkok, most of the instruments were all Khmer style. The internatonal judge had ask the Thai guy who played the instrument. How, who and when did this instrument invented? The Thai guy have no comment. What ashame? I will have to talk more later. Please research more if you want to know. I heard this matter briefly from an Old Cambodian guy who have a friend when there that sent by Cambodian to Bangkok.
I'm not trying to stir up problems,but the Thai's aka siam, have stolen a lot if not ALL the Khmer culture, and not lets not forget the land, the temple, etc.. etc... I went to one of those super store the other day and I saw a package of "thai chicken wing", thai pepper, etc... WTF!!!! They put their name THAI in front of everything... EVEN WATER!!!!! UGHHHHHHHH!!! and history
They have a very small replica (table top size) of angkor wat in Thailand. AND its been modified, the domes are round. EVEN their so call famous elephant soccer game they play for the tourist.. DO you know that its an insult to khmer? They use to use the heads of khmer as soccer balls.
Please Thai people.... stop. Just give credit where its due.
didn't they wanted to change the name to "sovannaphum" instead of "muay thai" since it meant golden city in both the khmer and thai language....but the thai refused? or something like that?
Support (4:33AM)
Yes they were coming up with the name called "SOVANNAPHUM KICKBOXING" but the theif refused. But they will lost if the challenge because we have all kind of proofs. Just like they against us (KHMER) to put PREAH VIHEAR for world heritage. I am telling you they stole everything from us. KHMER wake up and hire good international lawyers to represent us.
When the Siamese thieves managed to sack Angkor, they kidnapped Royal Ballet Dancers, wise men (gurus) and boxing warriors among others. They copied our styles and adopted new names for the Khmer heritage.
A thief is always known as a thief, no matter how big the crocodile smile he wears on international stage.
Good to hear about khmer prodal serei. Please all khmer ppl around the corner post the link or address of prodal serei khmer club in overseas or inside Cambodia. Let us know again.
Here is one link I found out in Germany.
The teacher was the student in Leipzig, DDR after WDR and DDR reconciled. He has chance to live in Germany and had trained Taekwondo. Now he had own club for khmer prodal serei.
http://www.khmer-boran.eu/
Link under is Pleng Klang Khek. Is this right for prodal music and music for funeral ceremony?
http://www.esnips.com/doc/ae9d67d7-d2ff-4843-bb61-77396b7a8073/khlang_khek.AVI
Some thing they can steal some they can not, only you may forget it yourself!
Would like to see Khmer kickboxing next time. Thanks.
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