PHNOM PENH: Bokator Master, Krama Meas San Kim Sean, has stated that ‘free boxing’, now more widely called ‘Kun Khmer’, is a name that the French used during France’s colonization of Cambodia. Master San Kim Sean claims that Kun Khmer derives from ‘Kun Bokator’, a martial art that the ancestors of the Angkorian period practiced and left behind for future generations.

In an exclusive interview with EAC News, Master San Kim Sean, 78, explained that current Kun Khmer competitions are different from those of the previous generation. In the past, most Kun Khmer boxing matches ended with a fight to the death – you only won if you survived.

 “From 1920 to 1930, when the French colony ruled us, that was when they [would see boxers fight to the death and put them in] coffins,” he said. “But after a while, the French had a hard time [seeing the best boxers die], because that would mean in 10 to 20 years, all outstanding [fighters] would have died, tens of thousands of people would have died, and only a few would be left. So the French thought that they should not do this anymore, as death [does not] result in birth, so they stopped [holding competitions that only ended in death.]”

According to Master San Kim Sean, the French called it ‘free boxing’ because it was a type of boxing that allowed fighters the right to perform their moves freely and without restriction, while in the present day, the rules of the fight are limited to more than 20 martial art techniques.

He added that in the old days, fighters would wrap raw thread with seashells placed around their knuckles and then would proceed with a ceremony that involved grinding glass into powder, mixing it with a plant and dipping this mixture into resin while their martial art coach chanted to awaken the spiritual magic.

Kun Khmer matches were also previously played out in the field like Bokator, and it was only under French colonization that competitions began to be organized in boxing rings, which is something that has continued into the current day.

The Bokator Master further explained that before competitions, fighters always salute and honor their past Kun Khmer teachers and coaches who have passed away in a ceremony called Kun Kru. They regard their old teachers as gods of their sport, so when one teacher passes away, they continue to pray to them and pass on the practice from one generation to another. Hence, fighters even continue to pray and honor Kun Khmer teachers that they did not train under in real life, as these teachers still represent the soul of the martial art and are considered as a god of the sport. In this way, the names and souls of the Kun Khmer fighters and teachers that preceded them still remain in all fighters’ hearts.

So prior to any match, Kun Khmer boxers will kneel down, worship and pay their respects to their teachers. They can light incense, or if there is no incense, they must raise 10 fingers while praying. According to Master San Kim Sean, there are many methods of worship to commemorate the Kun Kru, such as Kenor, Rahu Chab Chan, and the rice harvester, which is accompanied by traditional Khmer music.

Many carvings depicting Kun Khmer fighting styles can be found in ancient temples such as Preah Khan, Ta Prohm, Banteay Samre, Lak Neang, Angkor Wat and Prey.