A twin display of Asian martial arts – Cambodian Bokator and Chinese Shaolin Kung Fu – will take centre stage at the opening of the 2023 SEA Games which will be hosted by Cambodia in Phnom Penh in May.

The plan for the special performance was jointly announced by Minister Thoung Khon and visiting Vice Governor of China’s Hainan Province, Shen Danyang, in Phnom Penh.

Khon explained that Bokator was recognised last year by UNESECO as an Intangible World Heritage, and the great tradition makes an ideal highlight for the official opening ceremony of SEA Games 2023.

Ever since pre-Angkorian times, Bokator was a fighting technique employed on the battlefield by whole armies at once. Bokator fighting is characterized by hand-to-hand combat along and with use of weapons.

At the meeting, Kohn requested that China send its Shaolin Kun Fu martial artists to perform at the event. He hopes to see four or five fights between Shaolin Kung Fu and Khmer martial arts practitioners.

Shaolin Kung Fu was developed over 1,500 years ago at the Shaolin Temple in Henan province. Traditionally, fighters of Shaolin style Kung Fu remain unarmed.

Other forms use the spear and the staff, for which the original monks of Shaolin temple became especially famous.

In Shaolin Kung Fu, movements are rapid, quick, and forceful. Kung Fu was popularised thanks to numerous Hong Kong movies over the years.

Master SAN Kimsean, a Bakator Master and owner of the Cambodia Bokator Academy, also supports the proposed plan to feature fighting displays.

He felt that the idea is a great opportunity for the two ancient martial art forms to show off their history to the world.

“It’s a rare opportunity for our Bokator practitioners to gain experience from well-known Kung Fu masters from China,” he said.

“However, I recommend both sides work closely with one another on the performances to make sure we show everyone a balanced performance, one without errors or fouls.”

Vath Chomroen, CAMSOC General Secretary, said yesterday that Cambodia is expected to spend 136 million dollars hosting SEA Games 2023.