Preserving the Ancient Martial Art of ‘Yutkromkhorm’

Seng Sokuntheary wants to preserve the country’s forgotten martial art ‘Yutkromkhorm’ for the future generation.Supplied

Va Sonyka

 

Wednesday, 27 January 2016

 

Females are sometimes thought of as the weaker sex, but one local woman is keen to change that stereotype. Seng Sokuntheary is a 21-year-old coach of ‘Yutkromkhorm’, a Cambodian martial art form being promoted by the Yutkromkhorm Federation. 

Her passion to become a Yutkromkhorm coach began when she watched her first video clip of a Yutkromkhorm bout. In addition to her desire  to be a strong woman, Ms. Sokuntheary has set a goal to preserve this Khmer martial art, since she believes that martial arts are an important component of Khmer culture. 

Reflecting on the origins of Yutkromkhorm, she said that it was developed many centuries ago to train people to protect themselves from danger and was also used during wars. However as the centuries passed, Khmer martial arts were all but lost in the mists of time and until recently, few people knew that this particular Khmer martial art existed. 

Even ten years ago, only a few people had heard of Yutkromkhorm, but now it is experiencing a resurgence and at least 1,000 Cambodians are practicing the sport. It has also generated interest internationally.   

Every day at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, Ms. Sokuntheary runs a martial arts training programs and assists students practicing their Yutkromkhorm techniques. 

Although a modern athlete, she wears the traditional costume when in the coaching role.  

“Everyday I always train some foundation steps with my students, however I still have to train with my senior coach for more [advanced] martial arts steps,” she said. 

The young woman believes that ideally, practicing martial arts should be started early in life, since taking up training as an adult can be more painful. However Ms. Sokuntheary missed the opportunity to learn Yutkromkhorm during her childhood because she only heard about it around three years ago. 

She took up the sport in 2013 when she was a 19-year-old and remembers that the first week was very hard. She says that her body was full of pain for the first week of martial arts, but it gets better in subsequent weeks as the body adjusts. This applies to males and females alike.  

In order to concentrate on her martial arts and to have time to train her students, Ms. Sokuntheary has decided that after she graduates she will take a break from work to focus on the sport. 

Elaborating on her goal to preserve Cambodian fighting techniques, she says that a number of martial arts originated in the Kingdom, including Bokator and Yutkromkhorm, and they should be promoted internationally. 

“I acknowledge that we have Angkor Wat recognized as a symbol of Cambodia, but we can have our martial art recognized too,” said Ms. Sokuntheary. She added that Cambodia should promote its unique martial art just as the Thai nation has promoted Muay Thai as a symbol of Thai martial arts. 

As a coach of the Yutkromkhorm Federation, Ms. Sokuntheary revealed that students at many high schools and universities in the capital have been registered to practice Yutkromkhorm. In order to promote and preserve the sport, the Federation decided to provide its services direct to the schools and universities where the students requested it. Yutkromkhorm is also being practiced in the Cambodian armed forces. 

“There are many steps to learn in Yutkromkhorm,” she said. “People who have more time and energy to learn will take up to three years to complete all steps and those who have less time may take up to six years.” 

She advises that people who want to practice Yutkromkhorm need to be in good physical condition, possess wisdom and have sufficient time to learn. Ms. Sokuntheary said practicing this martial art is hard but as long as you have motivation and inspiration you can do it. She said for people who want to maintain a good level of fitness, the martial art is a good alternative to yoga or gym workouts. She says the training techniques actually boost energy to the body. 

“As long as you practice Yutkromkhorm, it can help you strengthen your mental [toughness] not to be easily afraid and at least you can rescue yourself from any danger,” she said. 

“Do not worry if you are a female to practice Yutkromkhorm, as it doesn’t affect your health [negatively] and it can help you stay fit and strong,” she added. 

For more information about Yutkromkhorm Federation please see the Facebook Page: YUTKROMKHORM FEDERATION.