Born in 1979 and a member of the Bahnar ethnic group, Y Khưm, from Pleiku Roh village in Dien Hong ward, has dedicated much of his life to stick pushing, both as a competitor and a coach.
Raised in Ia Băng commune, he developed his physical strength through agricultural work, including carrying rice and coffee.
From an early age, he also organized informal stick-pushing matches with young people in his village, where his strength and technical skills frequently helped him defeat opponents, even those heavier than him.
Recognizing his talent and enthusiasm, Y Khưm began competing for the former Pleiku City at provincial tournaments in 2002.
At the time, stick pushing remained relatively unpopular, with few athletes participating. Determined to improve, he sought out experienced competitors in Đắk Lắk province to learn their techniques.
His breakthrough came in 2005, when he joined the Gia Lai provincial stick-pushing team and competed at the National Sports Festival for Ethnic Minorities, winning gold in the 60kg category in his first appearance.
In 2010, he earned silver in the 57kg category at the National Sports Games. He subsequently competed regularly at various levels, accumulating hundreds of medals.
Y Khưm said physical strength alone was insufficient to secure victory in stick pushing, emphasizing the importance of technique, observation and tactical awareness.
“Technique and the ability to harness force are what determine the outcome. My secret is to use my opponent’s pushing force against them,” he said.
In recent years, he has increasingly focused on coaching, sharing his experience with younger athletes and helping local teams prepare for competitions and sports festivals.
His ability to communicate fluently in the Jrai language has also helped him instruct athletes effectively, making him a sought-after coach in local communities.
At the 2026 Gia Lai Provincial Sports Festival for Ethnic Minorities in late October, Y Khưm coached stick pushing and tug of war for Ia Băng commune.
Under his guidance, the commune's stick-pushing team won nine gold medals, one silver and three bronze medals, while also achieving strong results in tug of war.
One of his outstanding trainees, Mưch from Adơk Kông village in Ia Băng commune, has won multiple medals at provincial and national stick-pushing competitions.
Mưch described Y Khưm as both an older brother and an exceptional mentor, crediting his dedicated guidance with helping him master techniques and build confidence in competition.
Y Khưm has also passed his passion for the sport to his daughter, who has competed in provincial tournaments under his direct coaching and won several medals.
Despite being 47, he continues to train and compete. At the 2026 Gia Lai Provincial Sports Games, he secured silver in the 63kg stick-pushing category. The athlete who defeated him in the final to win gold was one of his own trainees.
For Y Khưm, nurturing the next generation of athletes is as rewarding as winning medals himself.
He hopes more young people will take up stick pushing, helping preserve and develop the traditional sport in their villages.
Alongside stick pushing, he remains active in competing and coaching tug of war, achieving notable results at various tournaments.
