Kim Srun Kosal – better known by the moniker “Tommy Kim” – the president of Mas Fight Cambodia, has asserted that shutting down the Mas Fight competitions would be a major loss to the Kingdom’s martial arts community. Also an advisor to Town TV, who host the matches, he was responding to widespread calls for the event to be closed down, The calls followed intense criticism of referee Long Vibol, whose lack of experience of MMA-style rules became clear during a bout on Sunday, May 18. During the match, Cambodian fighter Namthieu Kun Khmer used a clinch technique to choke…
Author: Chhorn Norn
The Khmer Boxing Federation (KBF) has officially disciplined referee Long Vibol, citing poor performance officiating a recent fight, which attracted widespread public criticism. Three other judges were also penalised for issuing incorrect scores in an earlier bout. However, some fight fans have described the penalties as too light to deter future misconduct. According to reliable sources from within the federation, Vibol was suspended from officiating for four weeks due to his controversial handling of the Mas Fight bout between Cambodian fighter Namthieu Kun Khmer and Myanmar’s Joe Phyu on May 18 at Town Arena. The federation’s decision came today, May…
Despite the major success he has achieved as head coach during his more than two-year stint in Cambodian football, Pep Munoz has decided to part ways with Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC at the end of this season, according to a statement released by the club on Tuesday morning. “At the end of this season, Pep Munoz will step down from his role as head coach. Under his leadership, the club has achieved historic success in major competitions both domestically and internationally,” the club announced. The entire membership of the club expressed their gratitude to Munoz and wished the…
The slow response of referee Long Vibol in stopping Cambodian fighter Namthieu Kun Khmer after he grabbed and choked Myanmar boxer Joe Phyu has sparked widespread criticism of the Mas Fight event at Town Arena on Sunday, May 18. Many commentators have called for the organisers and relevant bodies to fix perceived shortcomings to avoid endangering the lives of fighters. Both Cambodian and Myanmar fans who watched the live broadcast criticised Vibol for his inexperience in officiating Mas Fight matches. His delayed reaction in stopping Namthieu after the chokehold nearly caused serious harm — or even suffocation — to the…
The Kingdom’s jet ski team achieved remarkable results by winning 4 gold and 2 silver medals at the 1st round of the WGP1 Water Jet Championship in Osaka, Japan. However, well-known Cambodian racer Saly Oumoeut expressed disappointment that such an impressive achievement drew little attention or recognition. The Cambodians who medalled at the May 16 to 18 round included Saly Filin, who won 2 golds in the Amateur Runabout 1100 Stock and Pro Sport GP categories, and then added a silver in the PRO-AM Runabout 1100 Open. Min Osman took a gold medal in Novice Ski Stock and a silver…
Cambodian Brazilian jiu-jitsu athlete Mab Sokhouy has become the first ever Cambodian to claim a championship belt at the Absolute Pro Championship, part of the AFG Open Championship 2025. She secured the historic win after triumphing in back-to-back matches held at Rangsit University in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 17-18. Competing in the Absolute Pro Division — an open-weight category allowing fighters of all weight classes — Mab Sokhouy was the smallest and lightest of all the female participants. Despite this, she performed impressively. In her semi-final, Sokhouy faced Lucy Greenway, a black belt holder from Wales. She scored a victory…
The announcement of the Cambodian national Kun Khmer team for the upcoming 33rd SEA Games in Thailand has raised eyebrows, with ten fighters who won gold at the last SEA Games, held in Cambodia, missing out on spots in the team. Minister of Education, Youth and Sport Hang Chuon Naron signed an education ministry directive which named 12 athletes for the games, which will be held in December. Among the 12, there was no mention of Chhut Serey Vannthong, Khim Bora, Prom Samnang, Kham Khalaneang, Han Menghong, Lao Chantrea, Roeung Sorphorn, Mab Theara, Him Koemrieng and Khun Laingkousin, all gold…
Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC is retracing a familiar path as they attempt to hold onto their Hun Sen Cup title, after defeating Boeung Ket FC in the second leg of the semi-final on Wednesday night. Coach Pep Munoz insisted it was “only fair” that his team has reached this crucial stage. The Spanish coach believed their place is the final was well-deserved, given how hard his team has worked and how demanding their season has been — both domestically and internationally. This includes their recent participation in the AFC Challenge League final at the Morodok Techo National Stadium…
The Cambodian wrestling team has returned from the Southeast Asian and Invitation Championship 2025 laden widen with medals. The team considered the haul — of 1 gold, 3 silver and 4 bronze — a strong result and noted that the athletes gained valuable experience, especially as the 33rd SEA Games, to be hosted by Thailand at the end of 2025, approaches. Heng Vuthy, who won gold in the 92kg freestyle category, said the competition was extremely tough because countries outside of ASEAN also participated. It was an open tournament that allowed each country to enter 2 to 3 athletes per…
Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng have not allowed their spirits to be dampened by a 2–1 defeat by Turkmenistan’s FK Arkadag in the final of the AFC Challenge League on May 10. Instead, they are determined to set aside the pain and refocus on retaining the Samdech Hun Sen Cup. Svay Rieng will host Boeung Ket at Svay Rieng Stadium tonight at 6pm for the second leg of the semi-finals. This is a crucial match, as both teams are competing for a spot in the final, where they will face Phnom Penh Crown, who eliminated NagaWorld in their own semi-finals.…