Vietnamese martial artists secured four gold medals at the 6th World Kun Khmer Championships in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, on February 11th, temporarily placing their team at the top of the medal standings.
The Vietnamese team, comprised of 35 fighters from regions with strong martial arts traditions including Can Tho, An Giang, Tay Ninh, Gia Lai, Thai Nguyen, and Nghe An, competed in various weight categories throughout the tournament, which began on February 10th with participation from 20 countries and territories.
Despite an initial setback in the men’s amateur 73kg final where Nguyen Ngoc Quyen lost to Cameroon’s Kenmegne after two rounds, Vietnamese athletes swiftly rebounded. Phung Thi Hong Tham claimed gold in the women’s amateur 63kg final, followed by victories from Nguyen Thi Mai (women’s amateur 57kg), Ta Kim Yen (women’s amateur 51kg), and Phung Phu Thuan (professional 73kg).
With four gold medals and one silver, the Vietnamese team briefly led the competition, though organizers noted the medal table was subject to change as approximately 20 finals remained across senior, junior, and talent divisions.
Kun Khmer, the traditional Cambodian martial art at the heart of the championship, shares similarities with Muay Thai and kickboxing, but distinguishes itself through a unique ruleset and emphasis on elbow and knee strikes. Competitors must adapt to these nuances, requiring both tactical flexibility and physical endurance.
The championships are scheduled to conclude on February 14th in Sihanoukville. The 48-member Vietnamese delegation arrived in Cambodia by land on February 8th to participate in the event.