Last night, Cambodian fighter Long Achert has earned overwhelming praise from his fellow countrymen after defeating Thai fighter Nung A. Rawan to become the “Super Champion” in a bout held in Malaysia.
This marks the second championship belt he has won abroad.
Although his trip for the title fight drew little attention — with no supporters sending him off at the airport except his coach and his mother — Achert was determined to bring the belt back to the Kingdom. He had already claimed a belt once before in Malaysia, in May, when he beat a host nation’s fighter on points.
This time, however, there was a change. The organisers removed the Malaysian contender and replaced him with Thai fighter Nung A. Rawan. Instead of discouraging him, the switch fuelled Achert’s determination to fight harder and raise the Kun Khmer banner alongside the Cambodian flag.
In the live-broadcast fight, Achert put on an impressive performance.
Despite struggling in the first two rounds and appearing outmatched by his opponent, the Cambodian fighter steadily launched more aggressive attacks. His powerful kicks, clinches and especially his heavy knee strikes began to wear the Thai down by the crucial third round.
His opponent grew visibly wary and avoided standing toe-to-toe with Achert, resorting to retreating and countering defensively. Achert pressed forward relentlessly, dominated the final three rounds, and secured a dramatic victory to capture the belt.
“I’ve got a new item (the belt) to add to my collection, brothers and sisters,” he said proudly.
His victory was met with high praise from Cambodians, while even Malaysian fans celebrated him, lining up to take photos with the smiling champion.
Achert later revealed that he had worried the organisers might favour the Thai fighter and overturn the result.
“Just now, I was afraid I’d lose. I saw that in rounds four and five I was winning, but I feared they’d twist it into a loss. When they finally raised my hand as the winner, I was so happy that I cried. I never imagined I could do this, especially since in the first two rounds I looked like I was behind,” he explained.
After the fight, Achert took the Super Champion belt to bed with him, hugging it tightly throughout the night. He admitted he still felt pain in his left side from the heavy kicks he absorbed in the early rounds.
He spoke to reporters the following morning, still lying in bed.
“This is a very precious overseas belt, and it looks so beautiful. I slept hugging it all night,” said the Kla Khinh Club fighter.
“A belt like this isn’t easily won — it’s paid for with pure sweat and blood. When I return to Cambodia, the first person I will give it to is my grand master (Sun Riky), then my mother. I dedicate it to all my relatives and compatriots who supported me and gave me encouragement,” he added.
