Senior Minister Thong Khon, president of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC), has noted that Kun Khmer is experiencing strong growth and increasing recognition at both the national and international levels, and that the traditional Cambodian martial art could ultimately gain formal recognition from the international Olympic movement in the future.
Thong Khon shared his remarks while presiding over the opening ceremony of the 6th Kun Khmer World Championship 2025, held in Preah Sihanouk province on February 10.
During last night’s bouts, leading Cambodian fighters Bird Songkherm, Chhoeung Lvay and Han Pi each captured world championship belts.
Khon said that the Kun Khmer World Championship was not only aimed at promoting the sport globally, but also at boosting tourism under the theme “Cambodia as a safe and welcoming tourism destination”, particularly highlighting the country’s southern coastal area in Preah Sihanouk province.
The province has been dubbed the “Star of the Southwest” and is a full member of the World’s Most Beautiful Bays Club.
Khon explained that Kun Khmer has a long history spanning thousands of years, with stone carvings found on the walls of many ancient Khmer temples left by the ancestors of modern Cambodians.
These carvings serve as clear evidence of the martial art’s historical roots. He expressed hope that after the tournament, participating delegations, athletes and officials would take time to visit these carvings in Siem Reap province.
“With strong support, attention and the direct leadership of former Prime Minister Hun Sen, which has continued under the leadership of current Prime Hun Manet, Kun Khmer has been carefully preserved, protected and developed in a highly commendable manner, gaining significant recognition and support at both the national and international levels,” he said.
The NOCC, he noted, has consistently worked to develop traditional national sports in line with Olympic movement standards, resulting in the successful inclusion of Kun Khmer and Bokator in the 2023 Southeast Asian Games, hosted by Cambodia.
“We firmly believe that with continued high-level attention from the Royal Government under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Hun Manet, and through close cooperation among the NOCC, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, the Kun Khmer Boxing Federation, the International Kun Khmer Federation and member countries, Kun Khmer will have the potential to achieve formal recognition from the international Olympic movement in the future,” he added.
According to Khov Chhay, president of the Khmer Boxing Federation, the 6th Kun Khmer World Championship 2025, held from February 10 to 13, will feature participants from 20 countries, competing across 50 categories, including youth divisions, semi-professional amateur bouts and professional-level contests. World championship belts were set to be contested in eight weight divisions.
In the professional title bouts contested across four weight divisions on Tuesday night, Han Pi, Bird Songkherm and Chhoeung Lvay each secured victories to claim world titles.
Han Pi knocked out Indonesian fighter Yeson Mustanmu with a knee strike in the first round, while Bird Songkherm delivered a first-round knockout against Filipino fighter El Conqueror, also using a knee strike.
Chhoeung Lvay, meanwhile, defeated Germany’s Jan on points after a hard-fought contest to win his first Kun Khmer world title, adding to the nine other belts he has previously secured. However, Lao Chetra lost on points to French fighter Kubila in his title bout.
