Pencak background makes Derla kun bokator queen

PHNOM PENH — On the eve of the Southeast Asian Games opening ceremonies, Team Philippines was greeted with the welcome news of winning two gold medals, two silvers and three bronzes.

The early haul came from two fronts – jiu-jitsu and kun bokator.

While Filipinos are rather familiar with jiu-jitsu, a combat sport based on grappling, ground fighting and submission holds and source of medals internationally, kun bokator hardly rings a bell.

One of the unusual sports calendared in Cambodia’s first SEAG hosting, kun bokator is an ancient Cambodian martial art that incorporates elbow blows, shin strikes, locks and grapples.

According to the Khmer Times, kun bokator is believed to date back to more than 100 years.

For the competition here, participants come from other forms of martial arts and one such athlete is Angel Derla, the Pinay pencak silat practitioner who delivered the country’s second gold after jiu-jitsu expert Kaila Napolis.

“Two months kaming nag-isolate training and talagang inaral namin ang bokator,” said Derla.

What makes Derla’s feat even more memorable is the fact that she beat Cambodia’s Chanchhprvy Puth in her own game and backyard.

“Nakakatuwa kasi sa kanila ito nag originate,” she said after topping the women’s single bamboo shield form event.

Derla’s pencak silat background came in handy as she performed her routine with the bamboo shield.