The Grandmaster

The real martial art of Cambodia is the martial art of Bokator, which was created More then 2000 years ago, during the Khmer Morn period (the Khmer Morn are the direct ancestors of the Khmer people). During this time the martial art was known as Khom Yuth .

Bokator was the close quarter combat system used by the Angkor army. Bokator bears much of the responsibility for Cambodia’s domination during the Angkorian era.It is believed that King Jayavarman VII, the ruler of the Khmer Empire, was a practitioner of Bokator. Unlike kick boxing, which is a sport fighting art, Bokator was a soldier’s art, designed to be used on the battlefield.

Bokator can be considered a complete martial art, using strikes, throws, drags, trapping, locking, ground fighting, weapons and pressure point attacks. Every single part of the body can be used as a weapon. Bokator practitioner are trained to strike with knees, elbows, hands, feet, shins, fingers, head, shoulders, hips and jaws are used to fight an opponent to submission or death.

When fighting Bokator, practitioners still wear the uniforms of the ancient Angkor army. A Kroma (scarf) is folded around their waist and blue and red silk chords called Sangvar are tied around the combatants head and biceps. In the past it was said that the chords were enchanted to increase strength. The Kroma shows the fighters level of expertise, a series of grades from white, green, blue, red, brown to black, which has 10 degrees. After 10 degrees of black Kroma, a gold Kroma is awarded to someone who is a true master and has dedicated their life to Bokator and done something great for the art.

Grandmaster San Kim Sean, a man that has often been referred to as the father of the modern Bokator has been awarded the highest rank in Bokator the gold Kroma and is considered the foremost authority on Bokator. .