Today we’d like to introduce you to Sambo Kim.
Hi Sambo, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Sambo Joe Kim. I was born in 1994 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. I’m the second of four brothers. I moved to study and lived in Utah State, USA in 2006. I pursued a degree in Visual Arts and Design in Digital Media. Besides my studying in Digital Media, I have always had a love interest in martial arts. I’ve had a love interest in martial arts films since I was a kid.
While growing up watching Power Rangers, Kamen Rider, Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Donnie Yen, Tony Jaa, and Classic Kung Fu movies. At one point, I simultaneously discovered Donnie Yen in Ip Man Movie. One of the best fight scenes ever, when Donnie Yen was portrayed in “Ip Man” vs. 10 Karate Black Belts. In 2010, due to my passion for martial arts, it inspired me to do martial arts. I made the time from school to learn martial arts at various martial arts schools and traveled back to Cambodia, including Kun Bokator, Kun Khmer, Wing Chun, Jeet Kune Do, Shaolin, Tai Chi, Kickboxing, Jiu-Jitsu, and MMA. In 2018, I met Master Kenya Prach, a rare Bokator master and a rare human resource who survived the Pol Pot regime and came to live in the United States. Master Kenya Prach is one of the few Cambodian martial arts legends.
He was born in 1960 in Battambang, Cambodia. He witnessed and survived the brutal Cambodian genocide and escaped to the Khao-I-Dang refugee camp in Thailand before he got sponsored to the United States. I started to train with Master Kenya Prach to cultivate and preserve the Ancient Cambodian Martial Art of Bokator. Master Kenya also just release his book this year called “Black Stone Hands.” You can purchase his book on Amazon or Barns and Noble.
Since 2023, I have taught Bokator and Mixed Martial Arts to more than a hundred Cambodian and foreign students. As a Martial Arts Instructor and Mentor at Premier Martial Arts, a prestigious martial arts school in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom with over 300 branches. I’ve also been involved in the film industry and four upcoming films and TV series projects – “Power Rangers: Origins”, “Black Stone Hands”, “Next Level”, and “The God King, Tale of the Serpent Sister”, as an Action Director, Fight Choreographer, and Actor. And hopefully, one day I can be involved in bigger motion pictures like Hollywood. Where I can promote Bokator – The Great Ancient Angkorian Cambodian Martial Art to the world. That’s my dream.
My next mission is to bring this Cambodian ancient martial art to the world and raise Bokator and Kun Khmer to a level of worldwide recognition, like “Muay Thai.” Any chance I can, because Bokator and Kun Khmer are the ancestors of “Muay Thai.” In 2022, UNESCO officially inscribed Cambodia’s “Kun Bokator”, commonly known as Bokator, on the World Heritage List, on the night of November 29 of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Rabat, Morocco, on November 29, 2022. Similar to Japan and China. Japan officially recognized “Karate” as a martial art only 86 years ago. And its origins are not in mainland Japan at all: It was born in the archipelago of Okinawa, a long-independent kingdom whose culture was heavily influenced by Chinese Kung Fu, China and which maintains its own identity today.
As mixed martial arts enjoy increasing popularity throughout the world, there is one martial art that is struggling to become known. Bokator is an ancient martial art from Cambodia that was all but extinguished during the reign of the Khmer Rouge from 1975 to 1979. Bokator is an ancient Cambodian battlefield martial art that was developed by the ancient Khmer Empire for combat on the battlefield and for self-defense against invaders and fight wild beasts. It is one of the oldest fighting systems existing in South East Asia. The word “Bokator”, Literally translating into ‘to Pound a Lion or Fight with the Lion’, Therefore, the strongest carnivorous animal known to the ancient Khmer people. Historical evidence of early Bokator techniques can be seen carved on the walls of ancient temples. Many examples can be found at the 7th-century Sambor Prei Kuk temple complex and later, in the 11th-century Angkorian period, many movements of Bokator martial arts were carved on the walls of temples, especially at Angkor Wat and Bayon Temple Angkor Thom.
I promote the sport to preserve Cambodian culture and heritage and the legacy of Cambodian ancient martial arts. I encourage all Cambodians both in their homeland and abroad to unite and express their talents to preserve, protect, and promote Cambodian cultural heritage.
Me and my little brother’s names are Kirbbee. Recently, both of us were invited by the Asian World Film Festival in LA to showcase the Ancient Cambodian Martial Art called “Bokator” for the first time, on the 9th annual of the “AWFF”, to also promote the award-winning documentary film called “Surviving Bokator”.
The story of my Grandmaster who brought back Ancient Martial Arts back to life. Like many of Cambodia’s great traditions, Bokator was nearly eradicated by the Khmer Rouge Killing Field 40 years ago and was feared extinct. It was hosted by Andy Cheng, the Director of Bruce Lee Award & Martial Arts Events from the Jackie Chan Stunt Team in both Hong Kong and Hollywood. We’re both invited by Olary Yim, the Cultural Event Producer of “AWFF.” And we’re the only 2 Bokator practitioners in the State of Utah. We also have been recognized by the State of California Senate and the City of Long Beach Council for the promotion of the award-winning documentary film “Surviving Bokator” as part of the Asian World Film Festival 2023.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road hasn’t always been easy for me. There are always obstacles and challenges. I have been doing Martial Arts for over 13 years. During that time, I traveled several times to go back to Cambodia to learn and research about Bokator – The Great Ancient Angkorian Cambodian Martial Art.
I want the world to know where Cambodian ancient martial arts came from and raise Bokator and Kun Khmer to a level of worldwide recognition, like “Muay Thai.” I can because Bokator and Kun Khmer were the ancestors of “Muay Thai.” Not many people know about the history from 1975 to 1979 2.5 million people were executed during the Khmer Rouge Regime.
Like many of Cambodia’s great traditions, Bokator was nearly eradicated by the Khmer Rouge in the Killing Field 40 years ago and was feared extinct. And in 2019, I injured my right knee with a torn meniscus. And I had to get surgery, but overall, I am fine now and that taught me to be stronger, to keep going forward and keep fighting for my dreams and not give up in life.
To learn more about Bokator and The Khmer Rouge. There are movies that you can watch, “The Killing Field.” (1984), “First They Killed My Father.” (2017) streaming on Netflix, and “Surviving Bokator.” (2018) streaming on Vimeo.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Martial Arts Instructor at Premier Martial Arts in West Bountiful Studio. I joined the Premier Martial Arts UTAH Team to teach and develop students to become leaders and from White Belts to Black Belts both inside and outside the studio. This is also true of real-life, where challenges are everywhere, and you need to be disciplined, respectful and determined to succeed. Martial Arts has taught me to be patient and confident in my abilities and to be comfortable in myself.
It has empowered me to accomplish my goals in life. The Principle of Martial Arts is not about Fighting, it’s about building character. Teach goes beyond punches and kicks. We excel at instilling the values of hard work, respect, and determination in our students. Martial Arts can change your life for the better and stay healthy. This is why I love to teach Martial Arts and would love to make a difference in your life and the community. “The Art of Fighting Without Fighting.” – Bruce Lee
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I wanted to express my gratitude to one of my Bokator instructors and a brother, Vuthy Song. Thank you for always motivating and inspiring me, for your commitment to my success. I couldn’t have done it without your love and support. Thank you for your help in making my dreams a reality. Your guidance and shared experiences have been invaluable. Most people don’t know about that in life. It doesn’t matter how big or how small, how high, or how low we face each day. But remember that life is a journey, not a destination. And to always keep smiling and stay humble. “Live to inspire others, and to improve the quality of life!” – Sambo Joe Kim
Contact Info:
- Website: https://premiermartialarts.com/utah-bountiful/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/premiermartialartsbountiful/
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@closecombatmartialartstraining
