Historic Long Beach Khmer kickboxing gym to relocate July. 3 2023

LONG BEACH
Historic Long Beach Khmer kickboxing gym forced to relocate
Long Beach Khmer kickboxing center still has plenty of fight left, but the gym founded 36 years ago will be forced to relocate.
By Ted Chen • Published July 3, 2023 • Updated on July 4, 2023 at 7:32 am
A historic kickboxing gym that’s helped keep young people out of trouble is being forced to relocate to make way for a new shelter for homeless men with disabilities.
There is optimism that this kickboxing center will land on its feet and find a new home, but that doesn’t make it any more difficult to leave its existence.
It’s been a home of second chances and of champions.
Watch any class and you’ll see the Long Beach Khmer kickboxing center has plenty of fight left.
It’s fighting spirit embodied in the person of Oum Ry Banh, a kickboxing champion in his native Cambodia, who fled the country’s genocide and founded the gym 36 years ago, to keep alive the sport he loves.
“I am a fighter, I am a champion,” Banh said. “I want to keep my culture forever you want to keep your culture forever, yes sir.”
The center says it’s been told it must vacate the space by the end of the month to make way for a shelter for homeless men with disabilities.

[@nicorom]

Amazing video uploaded friend ❤thanks for sharing this video. Full support and watching now. Good luck and stay connected friend.

[@KambojaKing]

Thanks to the champion Oum Ry Banh for keeping Kun Khmer and Khmer culture alive after surviving cambodia war. I Hope everything goes well for you guys. Wish you Good health, wealth and prosperity.

[@veramann]

The news is too short. It doesn't tell why this place was taken and where the new location will be.

[@bamkhmer-american7250]

It’s said it’s turning into a new homeless shelter