Yo Khao Phra Sumen

SubFamily

ยกเขาพระสุเมรุ(Yo Khao Phra Sumen)

Translation: Lifting Mount Sumeru

Overview

Yo Khao Phra Sumen (Raise the Sumeru Mountain) involves lifting the opponent's leg catch into a throw or delivering a rising knee while lifting. [1] Named after the mythical Mount Sumeru, it represents overwhelming upward force. [1]

Also known as
Raise the Sumeru Mountain
Used in
Muay ThaiMuay Boran

History & Origin

Yo Khao Phra Sumen is one of the 15 Mae Mai (Master Tricks) of Muay Thai, preserved from the traditional Muay Boran curriculum. [1] The Mae Mai represent the highest-level tactical principles of Thai boxing, each named after Thai mythology, literature, or cultural references. [1]

Effectiveness

Mae Mai techniques represent centuries of refined combat principles; Yo Khao Phra Sumen embodies a specific tactical principle that remains effective in modern Muay Thai. [1]

Lineage

Traditional Muay Boran → Modern Muay Thai Mae Mai curriculum. [1]

Competition Record

Used in Muay Thai stadium competition (Lumpinee, Rajadamnern)

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Biomechanical Mechanism

Primary Action — Mae Mai master technique combining multiple movements
Joints Involved — Full body coordination
Force Vector — Technique-specific

Position & Entry

From Muay Thai stance — Execute Yo Khao Phra Sumen
From clinch — Close-range application

Variants

Classical Yo Khao Phra Sumen
Competition adapted Yo Khao Phra Sumen

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Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

7
Very High7/10

Master-level technique with significant combat application

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Expert
Competition Legality

Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets

Illegal
WBC/Boxing — All elbow strikes prohibited in boxing {src— WBC Rules of Boxing}
— WKF — Elbow strikes not a legal technique in sport karate
WKF Competition Rules 2024PDF
Kyokushin — Elbow strikes prohibited {src— IKO Kyokushin Tournament Rules}
— WT — Prohibited
WT Competition Rules 2024PDF
— ITF — Prohibited
ITF Competition RulesPDF
— WAKO — Prohibited in all kickboxing formats
WAKO Competition RulesPDF
K-1/GLORY — Prohibited — key difference from Muay Thai {src— K-1/GLORY Kickboxing Rules}
Legal
— Unified MMA — Legal — all elbow strikes permitted
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF
— art of eight limbs
IFMA Muay Thai RulesPDF

Training Notes

✓Learn the traditional form before applying in sparring
✓Study the Thai cultural context of Yo Khao Phra Sumen

Common Mistakes

!Attempting without understanding the tactical principle
!Over-committing

Related Techniques

Counter Techniques

Setup Chain

1Read opponent → Apply Yo Khao Phra Sumen principle → Execute technique → Follow up

Sources & References

Primary Source

Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Ruerngsa, Charuad & Cartmell)

1Book[1] Ruerngsa, Y., Charuad, K.K. and Cartmell, J. Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting. [2] De Cesaris, M. (2004). Muay Thai Boran: The Complete Codified Guide. IMBA.

description, historyOrigin: sourced from Ruerngsa, Y

2Citation[1] Ruerngsa, Y., Charuad, K.K. and Cartmell, J. Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting. [2] De Cesaris, M. (2004). Muay Thai Boran: The Complete Codified Guide. IMBA.

description, historyOrigin: sourced from Ruerngsa, Y

Community

Athletics

Requires comprehensive Muay Thai foundation

Good timing and distance management

Notes

Yo khao phra sumen is a traditional Muay Thai mae mai technique — a knee technique named after Mount Sumeru (Phra Sumen) of Thai Buddhist cosmology. (Kraitus, Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Yo Khao Phra Sumen work?

Yo Khao Phra Sumen (Raise the Sumeru Mountain) involves lifting the opponent's leg catch into a throw or delivering a rising knee while lifting. Named after the mythical Mount Sumeru, it represents overwhelming upward force.

Where does the Yo Khao Phra Sumen come from?

Yo Khao Phra Sumen is one of the 15 Mae Mai (Master Tricks) of Muay Thai, preserved from the traditional Muay Boran curriculum. The Mae Mai represent the highest-level tactical principles of Thai boxing, each named after Thai mythology, literature, or cultural references.

Is the Yo Khao Phra Sumen legal in competition?

Unified MMA: legal — Legal — all elbow strikes permitted; WBC/Boxing: banned — All elbow strikes prohibited in boxing; WKF: banned — Elbow strikes not a legal technique in sport karate; Kyokushin: banned — Elbow strikes prohibited; WT: banned — Prohibited; ITF: banned — Prohibited; WAKO: banned — Prohibited in all kickboxing formats; K: banned — 1/GLORY — Prohibited — key difference from Muay Thai; IFMA: legal — Legal — elbows are a core Muay Thai weapon (art of eight limbs)

How dangerous is the Yo Khao Phra Sumen?

Danger rating 7/10. Master-level technique with significant combat application

How do I set up the Yo Khao Phra Sumen?

The standard setup chain: Read opponent → Apply Yo Khao Phra Sumen principle → Execute technique → Follow up.

How do I defend against the Yo Khao Phra Sumen?

Standard counters include: Specific to each Mae Mai technique.

What are the variants of the Yo Khao Phra Sumen?

Common variants: Classical Yo Khao Phra Sumen; Competition adapted Yo Khao Phra Sumen.

How effective is the Yo Khao Phra Sumen in competition?

Used in Muay Thai stadium competition (Lumpinee, Rajadamnern)

What are common mistakes when doing the Yo Khao Phra Sumen?

Top errors to watch for: Attempting without understanding the tactical principle / Over-committing.

What are other names for the Yo Khao Phra Sumen?

The Yo Khao Phra Sumen is also known as Yo Khao Phra Sumen, Raise the Sumeru Mountain.

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