A Vietnamese team wins the world championship on their first participation

Vietnamese Kun Khmer claimed the top overall position at the World Championship during their very first entry.

Making their debut on the global stage, the Vietnamese Kun Khmer team achieved a memorable milestone by winning the overall championship at the 6th Kun Khmer World Championship. This achievement was even more remarkable as the event was held in Sihanoukville – a place regarded as the “holy land” of this martial art. The pressure from the home crowd and the intense atmosphere did not intimidate the Vietnamese fighters.

Throughout the competition, the Vietnamese delegation steadily accumulated medals. The matches were of high technical quality, demanding both physical endurance and mental toughness. As the tournament progressed, our representatives demonstrated increasing resilience, causing many strong and experienced opponents to be cautious.

The turning point came on the final day of competition. Three athletes — Truong Dinh Vang, Pham Le Gia Huy, and Phan Thi Hong Lien — entered the ring with great determination. Their results of one gold and two silver medals helped Vietnam take the lead at the crucial moment, concluding the tournament in first place overall, just one gold medal ahead of the host country.

Reflecting on this successful campaign, Mr. Nguyen Trong Nguyen – the team leader – was visibly moved. He affirmed that the entire team performed excellently, from their spirit of unity to their willpower beyond limits. Special thanks were extended to the coaching staff and athletes, who competed with more than 100% effort.

Beyond the sporting success, Vietnamese Kun Khmer also made a mark in administration. At the International Kun Khmer Federation meeting, Vietnamese representative Ho Thanh Liem was trusted and elected to the Standing Committee, holding the position of Vice President for the 2026–2030 term. This is considered a strategic step forward, opening opportunities to elevate the status of Vietnamese martial arts.

This momentum is further strengthened by the domestic competition system. After being recognized by the sports sector as a high-performance sport, numerous plans for organizing club, youth, and national championships have been scheduled. Notably, Can Tho will host the 7th World Championship at the end of the year, promising to boost the Kun Khmer movement in Vietnam.

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