Cover 1st PEKAF Drafting Camp last March 2019 at PhilSports Arena, Ultra, Pasig City for the Southeast Asian Games
1st PEKAF Drafting Camp last March 2019 at PhilSports Arena, Ultra, Pasig City for the Southeast Asian Games
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Deeply rooted in history, these Southeast Asian sports are more than just a pastime. For others, it’s a way of life.
What’s notable among Southeast Asian cultures is that there is a deeply rooted passion for martial arts. While most countries in the region had histories of foreign trade or resistance to colonial rule, there were centuries-old traditions kept alive, including sports. If you’re willing to take a stab at strengthening your core strength, mental wellness, and spirit while learning a little bit of culture and history, we’ve listed five Southeast Asian sports that you can also master.
More from Tatler: Meet the 15 Filipino athletes set to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics
Kali / Arnis
Above Arnis Expo hosted in Manila last 17-19 July 2019 with ASEAN country representatives
Arnis Expo hosted in Manila last 17-19 July 2019 with ASEAN country representatives
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Recognised as the Philippines’ national sport, this martial art dates back to the pre-colonial era. Used by the indigenous people to defend themselves against foreign colonisers, arnis has evolved to become a popular form of self-defence and art that has been perfected over the years.
Read more: What is arnis? Facts about the Philippine National Sport
Muay Thai
Above Two men engaging in Muay Thai (Photo: Jeffrey Soh/Pexels)
Two men engaging in Muay Thai (Photo: Jeffrey Soh/Pexels)
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Another martial art from Southeast Asia, this kickboxing style of fighting, comes from Thailand, with records of military use dating back to the 13th Century. Also referred to as ‘The Art of Eight Limbs’, Muay Thai uses eight points of contact that transform the body into weapons. The shins and forearms would act as shields and hammers; the hands become swords and daggers; the legs and knees are axes and staves; the knees and elbows are used to grapple to pin enemies to the ground; and the body is one unit that controls everything.
Vovinam
Above Two Vovinam Martial Artists Fighting (Photo: 越武道/Pexels)
Two Vovinam Martial Artists Fighting (Photo: 越武道/Pexels)
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A martial art with a more contemporary history, Vovinam was introduced in 1938 by Nguyen Loc as Vovinam Viet Vo Dao to fight against colonial rule. Being the most popular Vietnamese martial art in the world, Vovinam has over 60 schools globally.
Also see: Manila welcomes 10 teams across Asia for the 2024 AVC Women’s Challenge Cup
Sepak Takraw
Above Muhammad Shahalril Aiman bin Halim of Malaysia kick the ball in the quarterfinals match of the men's regu team event between Malaysia and India during the ISTAF Sepak Takraw World Cup Kuala Lumpur 2024 (Photo: Icon Sportswire/GettyImages)
Muhammad Shahalril Aiman bin Halim of Malaysia kick the ball in the quarterfinals match of the men's regu team event between Malaysia and India during the ISTAF Sepak Takraw World Cup Kuala Lumpur 2024 (Photo: Icon Sportswire/GettyImages)
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Internationally recognised as one of the most important Southeast Asian sports, Sepak Takraw displays strong athleticism, acrobatics, and teamwork. Originating from 15th-century Malaysia, the sport mirrors volleyball with a touch of martial arts, as players can only use their feet, head, knees, and chest to bounce a rattan ball back and forth.
In the Philippines, the sport is known as sipa and used to be recognised as its national sport before Arnis took its place in 2009. Instead of a rattan ball, we used a washer with strips of cloth or plastic tied to it.
Khmer Wrestling
Above A match of Khmer Wrestling (Photo: IntoCambodia.Org)
A match of Khmer Wrestling (Photo: IntoCambodia.Org)
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Cambodia’s traditional national sport, Khmer Wrestling, has been practised since the Angkor period. Its earliest form was called Maloyuth, created by Brahmin Timu in 788 AD and focused on forcing the opponent on their back. The sport involves a ritual dance before the match in which wrestlers move to the sound of two drums—the skor ngey and chhmol, meaning the female and male drums.
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Gabriel found his passion for writing through poetry in high school. He sharpened his skills at Ateneo de Manila University and hopes to write a play worthy of Broadway one day. A self-proclaimed geek, he loves to spend his free time playing video games and board games. When he's not clicking heads on Valorant or roleplaying as a barbarian in Dungeons and Dragons, you can find him exploring art galleries or watching stage plays.
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A creative writer who writes about anything and everything, Gabriel loves to dive deep into the arts and culture scene—as well as going on long road trips for travel pieces.
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