Thanh Hoa Kun Khmer Athletes Secure Medals at Recent Competitions

Athletes from Thanh Hoa have secured multiple medals and top team finishes at recent regional and national Kun Khmer competitions, showcasing a rapid and successful transition into the high-performance combat sport.

Kun Khmer, a traditional Cambodian martial art, features striking techniques that include punches, kicks, knee strikes, and frequent elbow attacks. The sport shares structural similarities with Muay Thai from Thailand and Laos, as well as Lethwei from Myanmar, though its heavy reliance on elbow strikes serves as a distinguishing technical element. The martial art gained international exposure after making its official debut at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in May 2023.

Official Recognition and Team Restructuring in Thanh Hoa

In January 2026, the Vietnam Sports Department officially designated Kun Khmer as a high-performance sport at the tier-three level, establishing a framework for targeted investment and development. Following this designation, the local Sports Training and Competition Center in Thanh Hoa added Kun Khmer to its roster of traditional martial arts disciplines in March 2026, officially restructuring its squad into the traditional martial arts and Kun Khmer team.

Transitioning athletes from traditional martial arts to Kun Khmer presented logistical and competitive hurdles, including rules adaptation, equipment adjustments, and the cultivation of competitive confidence. However, the coaching staff noted that local athletes possessed a strong technical foundation built over years of prior training, which streamlined the adaptation process.

When we decided to introduce Kun Khmer into the training program, we recognized it as a long-term strategic move rather than a temporary trend. Athletes already possessed a solid foundation in traditional martial arts, which is a huge advantage. However, Kun Khmer has a very high speed and high power. Due to differences in rules and speed, athletes must quickly adapt and flexibly adjust tactics on the mat. The coaching staff constantly studies, innovates training plans, and adjusts tactics to match each opponent. We also closely observe every training session, evaluate each athlete’s ability, and build customized training plans, focusing investment on outstanding athletes.

Pham Huu Chau, head coach of the Thanh Hoa traditional martial arts and Kun Khmer team

Tournament Success and National Standings

The Thanh Hoa team combines experienced competitors, such as Tran Thi Hau and Luong Minh Khanh, alongside younger prospects like Truong Thi Quynh Vi, Dang Vu Phong, Le Vinh Minh, Nguyen Chi Dat, and Do Thi Tra Giang. This roster composition has yielded immediate results across multiple tournaments held in 2026.

At the inaugural 2026 National Kun Khmer Strong Teams Championship, the Thanh Hoa delegation collected five gold medals and five bronze medals, finishing third overall in both the male and female 16-17 age divisions. The team matched that third-place overall finish at the 2026 National Kun Khmer Youth Championship by capturing five gold medals, four silver medals, and five bronze medals.

The squad continued its momentum internationally at the 1st Asian Kun Khmer Championships in 2026, where team members contributed four gold medals and nine silver medals to help secure Vietnam’s first-place finish in the overall medal standings. Team leadership noted that the athletes displayed discipline, courage, and technical proficiency throughout the international fixtures.