Pradal serey is the Cambodian name for an Indochinese martial art practiced in several Southeast
Asian countries. It is very similar to Muay Thai in Thailand, Tomoi in Malaysia, Muay Lao in Laos, and Lethwei in Myanmar. It is one of the
national sports of Cambodia and is also known as Kbach Boran Kun Khmer or simply Kun Khmer. Pradal and serey are the Khmer words for
"fight/boxing" and "free", respectively. Translated literally, the phrase means "free fighting".
Originally used for warfare, the moves of pradal serey have been slightly altered for the modern ring sport.
While most well-known for its kicking technique, which generates power from hip rotation rather than snapping the leg, pradal serey consists of
four types of strikes: punches, kicks, elbow strikes, kneeing attacks. The clinch is also used to wear down the opponent. Compared to other forms
of Southeast Asian kickboxing, pradal serey tends to emphasize more elusive and shifty fighting stances. Compared to Karate, punches are allowed
to the face. In fact, attacks are allowed everywhere except the back and groin. It doesn't incorporate qi or ki like in kung fu or aikido. Although, it
does have high aerial attacks like traditional martial arts such as Chuhgong Hauh(flying knee). Also like traditional martial arts, pradal serey has
connections to Eastern religions such as Buddhism. The Cambodian style also tends to utilize more elbow techniques than that of other regions.
More victories come by way of an elbow technique than any other strikes.
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