during the chaos of the Vietnam War, the Khmer Rouge overthrew Lon Nol's pro-Western government, which was crumbling after America left the Vietnam War. The Khmer Rouge's plan was to eliminate modern society and create an agrarian utopia. The Khmer Rouge executed most educated people, people who had ties to the old government, and anyone who was believed to be a threat (doctors, teachers, soldiers, actors, singers, etc.), and restricted the remaining Cambodian population to what were effectively labor camps. Pradal serey was banned under the Khmer Rouge regime, and many boxers were executed, nearly causing the art to be wiped out. In January 1979, the Vietnamese, along with a token force of Khmers led by ex-Khmer Rouge officers, overthrew the Khmer Rouge. Thereafter pradal serey was gradually revived. Pradal Serey Today Pradal serey is making a strong comeback since its banishment back in the 1970s. Numerous gyms have opened and large masses of students, local and foreign, have come to train in Cambodia. There are weekly matches held, in which many are televised, and many of Cambodia's best have traveled internationally to compete. There are currently about 70 boxing clubs. Notable Khmer boxers Eh Phutong - Khmer Kickboxing Champion Oth Phouthoung - TV5 kickboxing champion Meas Chanta - International Khmer Kickboxer Pich Arun - International Khmer Kickboxer Pich Sophun - International Khmer Kickboxer Chey Kosal - International Khmer Kickboxer Chan Rothana - International Khmer Kickboxer - Yuthakun Khmer Master Try Kuntor - Cambodian Kickboxer Bing Leung - Cambodian Kickboxer Khmer traditional wrestling A Khmer traditional wrestling match consists of three rounds. A round may be won by forcing an opponent to his back. A wrestler wins the match by winning two of the three rounds. After each round, the loser is asked if he wishes to continue with the match. Wrestlers participate in pre-match ritual dancing before the match. The match is accompanied by the music of two drums (called Skor Ngey and Chhmol, "female drum" and "male drum"). Traditional matches are held during the Khmer New Year and other Cambodian holidays. Football Football is currently the most popular sport in Cambodia, with many young talents having been introduced to the national team, such as Chan Vathanaka, Prak Mony Udom, Thierry Bin, Nub Tola, and Um Sereyroth. Each has become an important member of the national team at below 24 years of age. The Cambodian Football Federation is the