• Society

Kun Khmer Trainer Defeats the Language Barrier

• By Kim Makara
• February 8, 2023 3:15 PM

PHNOM PENH –Tit Phalla teaches Chinese students Kun Khmer fighting skills but says the language barrier is a challenge. The 44-year-old says he tries his best to present the sport through his body movements.

Phalla, a Kun Khmer fighter during the 2000s in Koh Kong province, said his students have good physiques, height, and strength. He knows that from holding the focus mitts for them during training.

Sometimes, body movements can speak for themselves but a translator is sometimes needed and the translator can find it hard to explain technical words.  

“I also face difficulty because I don’t speak Chinese. I explain to them by using my body movement for them to understand Kun Khmer,” he said.

Phalla, from Koh Kong province, has 10 students who are all Chinese. Even though the students are busy with their businesses, they are still interested in learning the fighting skill after seeing Kun Khmer promotions.

Foreigners will be able to learn more about this martial art if the sport is promoted more in the media, he said.

“What attracts the students’ interest the most is the techniques of using elbows and knees, especially when each punch is thrown one at a time, yet aimed for the target clearly,” Phalla said.

Phalla said he was delighted that the Cambodian SEA Games Organising Committee had impressed the Cambodian people by including Kun Khmer in the competitions.

“I am very excited about it, given that this is the government’s consideration,” he said.

Phalla used to be a Kun Khmer fighter in Koh Kong province. He did not have matches in Phnom Penh but he often fought with Thai boxers in Koh Kong province.  He now conducts training sessions  at the Noble Sports Center in Phnom Penh.

His son, Thim Seanghai, is a trainer in the Temple boxing club in Bordeaux, France. He also has a younger brother who is a Kun Khmer fighter.