Cambodia will proceed with hosting the 6th Kun Khmer World Championship, despite regional security concerns causing a significant drop in the number of attendees, organisers said.
The championship, originally scheduled for December 2025, will now be held in Preah Sihanouk province from February 10 to 13, with delegations from 18 countries taking part. The figure represents a decrease of more than 10 countries compared with earlier registrations.
Speaking at a press conference in Preah Sihanouk on Monday, Khov Chhay, president of the Kun Khmer Federation and acting secretary-general of the International Kun Khmer Federation, said the decline was due to the postponement of the event following what he described as “military aggression” affecting Cambodia’s territorial integrity.
He said the delay made it impossible for some delegations, which had already booked flights, to reschedule their travel, while others withdrew due to financial constraints.
“Initially, 35 countries registered to participate,” Chhay said.
“However, due to the unforeseen security situation, the event had to be postponed from December 2025 to February 2026, which led to a reduction in participation,” he explained.
He added that several countries have pledged to return for the 7th Kun Khmer World Championship, tentatively planned for late 2026 or early 2027.
Despite the reduced number of participants, Chhay said organisers were determined to make the sixth edition the largest Kun Khmer event in history, citing improvements in hospitality, event organisation, staging, broadcasting and athlete preparation.
“We want this championship to help promote Kun Khmer globally and gain wider international recognition,” he said.
The annual staging of the Kun Khmer World Championship forms part of a joint strategic plan between the Kun Khmer Federation, the International Kun Khmer Federation, and the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC), aimed at gaining international recognition for Kun Khmer and eventually securing its inclusion in the Olympic Games.
Meam Ra, president of the International Kun Khmer Federation, said the sport requires recognition from at least 75 countries to qualify for Olympic consideration. He noted that the federation currently has 63 member countries, leaving a shortfall of just 12.
“We already have 63 members and are continuing to expand,” Meam Ra said.
“Our goal is to reach 75 countries in the near future so Kun Khmer can move closer to Olympic inclusion,” he added.
The championship will feature a total of 123 athletes, including 81 women, from 18 countries competing across 50 weight categories. Events include youth divisions, semi-professional amateur bouts and professional contests, with eight world championship belts on the line.
Tuesday’s opening night will feature 10 bouts, including four professional world title fights.
Cambodian fighter Chhoeung Lvay will face an opponent from Germany, while Bird Songkherm is set to compete against a Filipino fighter. Lao Chetra will take on a French opponent, and rising star Han Pi will face an Indonesian pugilist.
Speaking ahead of his bout, Lvay said he was highly motivated to compete for the world title.
“To date, I’ve won nine national and international belts and more than 20 trophies, but none of them compares to the Kun Khmer world championship belt,” he said.
“This is the biggest prize, and I’m fully committed to giving my best for myself and my supporters,” he added.
He acknowledged the strength of his German opponent but said he was confident in his preparation.
The remaining four professional title bouts will be held on Friday, the final night of the championship. Cambodian fighters Prom Samnang, Chhut Serey Vanntong, Pich Sambath, and Pich Atitep will face opponents from Spain, Africa, Morocco and the US.
