The ancient Cambodian martial art of bokator is set for another showcase. A 16 fighter tournament will be held at at the CTN Arena next Monday from 5:30 to 7:30pm, with eight bouts of varying weight classes between 52 and 67 kilograms.

“I am really happy to see these fights happen, as I’m interested in [Bokator] and have been waiting for a long time [to see it live],” Seng Savy, manager of the event’s main sponsor, Cintry, said at a press conference yesterday.

Of the 16 competitors, four hail from the Khlang Mourng Club, in Pursat province, five are from the Angkor Reach Phnom Penh Club, three attend Mohanokor Club, one fights out of the Laboek Meanchay Serey Angkor Club, in Siem Reap province, and three more come from the Yeay Pring Meanrith Club, in Kampong Chhnang province.

Ma Serey, chief of sports programming at CTN, gave an assurance that the evening would feature “real fights” rather than mere performances. “I hope that [Bokator] will be kept in Cambodian people’s minds and remains popular for a long time,” he said.