San Sao Yan

San Sao Yan (Khmer: សាន់ សៅយ៉ាន់), born in 1980 in Banteay Meanchey Province, is a retired Kun Khmer fighter known as the Elbow Strikers and currently a referee and judges for Kun Khmer boxing.

Sao Yan only finished grade 9 and started training with his uncle named San Chan and in Pchum Ben festival I got my first match against a Legendary Kun Khmer fighter Vong Sithai at an event organized at a Pagoda around late 1990. His uncle later stop training, so he trained with another teacher name Chut Vanchha. He said, by luck he won the fight due to his opponent’s head injury.

Later he name got recognized and he got a chance to compete for a belt on TV5 Cambodia where he went against other veteran fighters such as Krak Samphors, Long Vanthorn, Nuon Bora, Voy Vandy, etc. This was a tough competition as he had to fight against 7 different fighters.

During his illustrious career, he beat so many top fighters but his only regret is not being able to defeat a Kun Khmer fighter named Phal Sopheap following his four matches.

Sao Sao Yan retired from Kun Khmer in 2004 due to injury and being married to a wife with relatives of high rankings and boxing was not so appreciated at that time. As a trainer today, he trains many good fighters like Sok Thy (kaka), Sok Rith, Khuon Laingkosin at Sao Yan Neakea Boxing Club. He hope to train more of the next generations from his village. Running this gym with his very own money doesn’t get full support from his family but due to his strong passion in this martial art, he keeps going. Besides running a boxing gym, he is also a referee and judge for Kun Khmer events.