Pradal Serey

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Pradal Serey(ប្រដាល់សេរី)

A Pradal Serey match before the Western boxing ring was implemented
Also known as Khmer Kickboxing,Traditional Khmer boxing
Focus Striking
Hardness full contact
Country of origin Flag of Cambodia Cambodia
Creator No single creator
Parenthood Historic
Olympic Sport No
Image:Example.of.complex.text.rendering.svg This article contains Indic text.
Without rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes or other symbols instead of Indic characters; or irregular vowel positioning and a lack of conjuncts.

Pradal Serey (Khmer: ប្រដាល់សេរី; English: Khmer Boxing) is the Khmer name for their version of an Indochinese martial art practiced in several Southeast Asian countries. It is very similar to Muay Thai in Thailand, Tomoi in Malaysia, Muay Lao in Laos, and Lethwei in Myanmar. Pradal and serey are the Khmer words for "fight/boxing" and "free", respectively. Translated literally, the phrase means "free fighting". While most recognizable by its kicking technique, which generates power from hip rotation rather than "snapping" the leg, Pradal Serey consists of four types of strikes: punching with the fist, kicking (with either the shin or the foot), elbow strikes, and blows of the knee. The clinch is also used to wear down the opponent. Compared to the Thai counterpart, the Cambodian style tends to emphasize more elusive and shifty fighting stances. The Khmer style also tends to utilize more elbow techniques than that of other regions.

Origianlly a true martial (i.e. used in warfare) art, the technique and moves of modern Pradal Serey have been altered to support the sport version seen today. It is considered one of the national sports of Cambodia. It is also known as "Kbach Kun Khmer", "Sovannaphum", "Traditional Khmer Boxing" or "Brodal Serei", depending on the translation.

Contents

[edit] History

Styles of boxing have been practiced in Southeast Asia since ancient times and were developed through the influence of martial arts from India .In the Angkor era, both armed and unarmed martial arts were practiced by the Khmers. There is picture of two man believed to practice Pradal Serey in Angkor ruin, but no actual evidence can confirm that.


Ultimately Pradal Serey became a sport, during the days of the Colonial Cambodia. When the French came they added western boxing gloves, 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.

[edit] Downfall of Pradal Serey

During the chaos of the Vietnam War, Cambodia was undergoing its own civil war. On April 17, 1975, the communist rebels, the Khmer Rouge, overthrew the government of the Khmer Republic led by Lon Nol after America left the Vietnam War. The Khmer Rouge's plan was to eliminate modern society and create an agriculture utopia.[1]. The Khmer Rouge executed all educated people, others who had ties to the old government or anyone who was believed to be an enemy (doctors, teachers, soldiers, actors, singers, Khmer boxers, etc.) and forced the remaining Khmer population into labor camps, in which many died of starvation and diseases, to be re-educated under the new government. An estimated 1.7 million Cambodians or 20% of the population died[citation needed] during Khmer Rouge Regime. This lasted for four years until 1979 when the Vietnamese along with ex-Khmer Rouge officers overthrew the Khmer Rouge.

Pradal Serey had been banned during the Khmer Rouge era and many boxers were executed which nearly caused the loss of the art of Khmer Kickboxing. During the relative peace since the departure of the Vietnamese and the re-establishment of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Pradal Serey is being revived in Cambodia.

[edit] Pradal Serey Today

Pradal Serey is making a strong comeback since its banishment back in the 70s. 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. Cambodia is making an attempt to market their style of boxing to the same caliber of Muay Thai.

Kun Khmer tournaments are screened live on national television. TV5 holds live tournaments on Friday and Sunday, CTN holds live tournaments on Saturday and Sunday. Bayon TV will shortly begin broadcasting live Kun Khmer fights.[citation needed]

Recent exposure of Khmer kickboxing to the western world have come from traveling journalists and tourists. In addition Khmer kickboxing was featured on The History Channel's Human Weapon and Digging For Truth.

Cambodian Television Network (CTN) is currently screening a Kun Khmer reality television series called Kun Khmer Champion. Kun Khmer Champion is produced by Ma Serey and co-hosted by Ma Serey and Eh Phoutong.[citation needed]


[edit] Attempt of Cambodian to unite Southeast Asian Boxing Style

Cambodians had an attempt to unite Southeast Asia's boxing styles. At an ASEAN meeting in 1995 regarding the upcoming King's Cup Muay Thai competition, Cambodia wanted to rename Muay Thai as "Suwannaphum" boxing or "SEA Boxing", which represented Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. Suwannaphum means "golden land" in both the Khmer and Thai which came from the language of Pali and refers to mainland Southeast Asia. "SEA" is a popular acronym referring to Southeast Asia.

Thailand would not compromise, stating that each Southeast Asian country has its own boxing style and Thailand is the one who pushed their style into international sport. At the 2005 Southeast Asian Games, Cambodia did not enter the Muay Thai event in protest.[2]

[edit] Rules and Match Set Up

A match consists of five 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 performed with the instruments skor yaul (a type of drum), the sralai (a flute-like instrument) and the chhing, is played during the match. Boxers wear leather gloves and 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 can not fight anymore, 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 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.

[edit] Notable Khmer Boxers

  • Eh Phoutong- Khmer Kickboxing Champion
  • Oth Phouthong-TV5 kickboxing champion
  • Meas Chanta - International Khmer Kickboxer
  • Pich Arun - International Khmer Kickboxer
  • Pich Sophun - International Khmer Kickboxer
  • Chey Kosal - International Khmer Kickboxer
  • Bun Sothea- Cambodian S1 champion
  • Try Kuntor- Cambodian Kickboxer
  • Bing Leung- Cambodian Kickboxer

[edit] Pradal Serey promoters

[edit] References

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Sites, Kevin. July 18, 2006. Year Zero, Yahoo.com (retrieved November 5, 2006)
  2. ^ Cambodia to boycott Thai boxing event over name row Real seeks to end 16-year winless streak at Camp Nou Report: Strange to be named captain of US Ryd - Turkish Daily News Oct 13, 1999
  3. ^ [1], ch5cambodia.com (retrieved November 5, 2006).

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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