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The term Bokator translates as
"pounding a lion" from the words bok meaning to pound and tor (pronounced
"tau") meaning lion. A common misunderstanding is that bokator refers to all
Khmer martial arts while in reality it only represents one particular style.
Unlike kickboxing, which is a combat sport, bokator was designed to be used
on the battlefield. It uses a diverse array of elbow and knee strikes, shin
kicks, submissions and ground fighting. |
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Practitioners are trained to
strike with knees, hands, elbows, feet, shins, and head. Even the shoulders,
hip, jaw, and fingers can be used to fight an opponent to submission or
death. Weapons are also used, primarily the bamboo staff and short sticks.
The art contains 341 sets which, like many other Asian martial arts, are
based on the study of life in nature. For example there are horse, bird,
naga, eagle, and crane styles each containing several techniques. Because of
its visual similarity, bokator is often wrongly described as a variant of
modern kickboxing. Many forms are based on traditional animal styles as well
as straight practical fighting techniques. |
