Meet Sambo Kim

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sambo Kim. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Sambo, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I am one of the Martial Arts Instructors at Premier Martial Arts Studio. I joined the Premier Martial Arts UTAH Team to teach and develop students to become leaders both inside and outside the studio. Challenges are everywhere, 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. Fighting 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
Most people don’t know about that in life. It doesn’t matter how big or how small, how high, or how low we are 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

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My name is Sambo Joe Kim. I was born 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 an interest in martial arts. I’ve loved martial arts films since I was a kid. While growing up watching Power Rangers, Kamen Rider, Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Donnie Yen, Michelle Yeoh, Tony Jaa, and Classic Kung Fu movies. At one point, I simultaneously discovered Donnie Yen in the Ip Man Movie. One of the best fight scenes ever was when Donnie Yen was portrayed in “Ip Man” vs. 10 Karate Black Belts. They were fantastic mind-blowing fight scenes. In 2010, my passion for martial arts 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, Krav Maga, 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 released his book last year called “Black Stone Hands.” You also can purchase his book through Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Since 2023, I have taught Bokator and Mixed Martial Arts to more than a hundred of 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. My next mission is to bring this ancient Cambodian 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. Its origins are not in mainland Japan: It was born in the archipelago of Okinawa, a long-independent kingdom whose culture was heavily influenced by the Chinese Kung Fu, China, and which maintains its own identity today. As mixed martial arts’ popularity is increasing 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, for self-defense against invaders and for fighting wild beasts. It is one of the oldest fighting systems existing in Southeast Asia. The word “Bokator” literally translates into ‘to Pound a Lion or Fight with the Lion’. Therefore, it is 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 the Cambodians both in their homeland and abroad to unite and express their talents to preserve, protect, and promote Cambodian cultural heritage. My little brother, Kirbbee, and I last year were invited by the Asian World Film Festival in Hollywood, LA to showcase the Ancient Cambodian Martial Art called “Bokator” for the first time, on the 9th anniversary annual of the “AWFF”, to also promote the award-winning documentary film called “Surviving Bokator”. The story of the Grandmaster who brought back an Ancient Martial Arts back to life. 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 were both invited by Olary Yim, the Cultural Event Producer of “AWFF”, Mark Bochsler, and Sandra Leuba, the Director and Producer of an award-winning documentary film. We are 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.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The road hasn’t always been easy for me. There are always obstacles and challenges. I have been doing Martial Arts for over 14 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. One day, I want the world to know where the roots of 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 this, but because of the war from 1975 to 1979 between 2.5 million to 3 million people were executed during the Khmer Rouge Regime. My grandparents, parents, and other family members have surfed a lot through this civil war. I heard so many crazy stories about what they’d been through during that hard time. 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. I had to get surgery, and my injury would never get me back to normal as it used to be, but overall, I am fine now. It taught me to be stronger, to keep moving forward, to keep fighting for my dreams and not to give up on life easily. To learn more about Bokator and The Khmer Rouge. There are movies that you can watch, “The Killing Field.” (1984) streaming it Online or Own it on DVD, “First They Killed My Father.” (2017) streaming it on Netflix, “Jailbreak” (2017) streaming it on YouTube or Own it on DVD, and “Surviving Bokator.” (2018) streaming it on Vimeo or Own it on DVD. And “Hanuman Shadow Master” (2022) streaming it on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Tubi or Own it on DVD.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

I’ve recently also been involved in the film industry with an experienced film and video post-production company with a rich history of over 25 years – (BERMUDA TRIANGLE ENTERTAINMENT™) and in the process of working on four upcoming films and TV series projects – “Power Rangers: Origins – Resurgence of the Coin”, “Black Stone Hands”, “Next Level a TV series”, and “The God King, Tale of the Serpent Sister”, as an Action Director, Fight Choreographer, and as an Actor. 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.
I am one of the Martial Arts Instructors at Premier Martial Arts in West Bountiful Studio. I joined the Premier Martial Arts UTAH Team to teach and develop students to become leaders both inside and outside the studio. Challenges are everywhere, 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. Fighting 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
Let’s schedule your free martial arts lesson or Sign up now with Premier Martial Arts within Northern Utah locations in West Bountiful, Kaysville, and North Ogden Studios. At West Bountiful with Instructors Brett and Kim, Kaysville with Instructor Bre, and North Ogden with Instructor Eli. Special thanks to all my Premier Martial Arts Utah Team for all you do, so much appreciated. I want to express my gratitude to my Bokator instructor, and brother, Vuthy Song. Thank you for teaching me, Bokator, always motivating and inspiring me, and for your commitment to my success. I couldn’t have done it without your guidance and support. I appreciate 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, Thank You!

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By: Sambo Joe Kim

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