Thun Sophea

Thun Sophea (born 1979) is a retired professional kickboxer from Svay Rieng, Cambodia. He is the 2006 Cambodian Television Network Traditional Khmer Kickboxing champion. Thun Sophea trained at the Ministry of Defense Boxing Association under Chhit Sarim, who also trained Cambodian champion Eh Phouthong at the Ministry of Defense Boxing Club.Uong, R. (2011, July 8). ISKA World titles on the line. The Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved August 31, 2023, from https://www.phnompenhpost.com/sport/iska-world-titles-lineUong, R. (2011, July 22). A roundhouse full of love. The Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved August 31, 2023, from https://www.phnompenhpost.com/7days/roundhouse-full-love Thun Sophea was once considered Cambodia's best kickboxer.Starkweather, R. (2010, January 11). Thun Sophea beats Vouey Sothun purple. The Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved August 31, 2023, from https://www.phnompenhpost.com/sport/thun-sophea-beats-vouey-sothun-purple He had defeated every notable Cambodian fighter including Sen Bunthen, Vorn Viva, Meas Chantha, Chey Kosal and Outh Phouthang.Starkweather, R. (2009, August 19). Thun Sophea ready to show no sympathy for Swiss devil Zidov. The Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved August 31, 2023, from https://www.phnompenhpost.com/sport/thun-sophea-ready-show-no-sympathy-swiss-devil-zidov

In 2000, Thun Sophea defeated Nuon Sorya to win the TV3 belt. In 2002, Thun Sophea defeated Chey Kosal to win the TV5 belt. In 2006, Thun Sophea defeated Meas Chantha to win the CTN belt.កាលនៅជាកីឡាករតើលោក ធន់ សុភា មានប្រវត្តិ និងស្នាដៃអ្វីខ្លះ ? [What was his background and achievements when he was a player?]. (2021, September 8). Life and Sport. https://www.lifeandsport.online/archives/3354

In 2007, Thun Sophea was ranked number 1 in the 65 kg weight division above Meas Chantha who was second and Pao Puot who was ranked third.Starkweather, R. (2009, July 2). Bheut Kam to face big names. The Phnom Penh Post. https://www.phnompenhpost.com/sport/bheut-kam-face-big-names

In July 2009, Thun Sophea defeated Sen Bunthen at the CTN boxing arena.Starkweather, R. (2010, September 27). Sen Bunthen clinches Thun Sophea rematch. The Phnom Penh Post. https://www.phnompenhpost.com/sport/sen-bunthen-clinches-thun-sophea-rematch

In October 2009, Thun Sophea defeated Ugandan boxer Muhammed Nsugbuga in a first-round TKO by low kicks.Starkweather, R. (2009, November 4). Locals go 2-1 in Om Tuk card. The Phnom Penh Post. https://www.phnompenhpost.com/sport/locals-go-2-1-om-tuk-card

In January 2010, Thun Sophea defeated veteran fighter Vouey Sothun at TV5 Boxing arena by decision. Thun Sophea was victorious over Vouey Sothun in two previous matches.Starkweather, R. (2010, January 11). Thun Sophea beats Vouey Sothun purple. The Phnom Penh Post. https://www.phnompenhpost.com/sport/thun-sophea-beats-vouey-sothun-purple

In February 2010, Thun Sophea defeated English fighter Jason Woodham by low kicks in the third round.Starkweather, R. (2010, March 1). Zidov lasts five with Vorn Viva. The Phnom Penh Post. https://phnompenhpost.com/sport/zidov-lasts-five-vorn-viva

In March 2010, Thun Sophea defeated French boxer Adil Khodja at TV3 arena.Starkweather, R. (2010, March 22). Nuon Soriya triumphs at TV3. The Phnom Penh Post. https://phnompenhpost.com/sport/nuon-soriya-triumphs-tv3

On September 10, 2010, Sen Bunthen won by decision against Thun Sophea.Starkweather, R. (2010, September 27). Sen Bunthen clinches Thun Sophea rematch. The Phnom Penh Post. https://www.phnompenhpost.com/sport/sen-bunthen-clinches-thun-sophea-rematch

In November 2010, Thun Sophea had a rare decision loss to South African fighter Bakhulule Baai.Starkweather, R. (2010, November 22). Cambodia goes 2-2 in festival fights. The Phnom Penh Post. https://phnompenhpost.com/sport/cambodia-goes-2-2-festival-fights

In 2011, Thun was the highest paid athlete (along with Chhunly Pagenburg) from Cambodia making US$30,000.

Thun Sophea is now a referee for pradal serey matches. He is also now the head coach of the Ministry of National Defense boxing team. His top students at the Ministry of National Defense boxing team include Lorn Panha, Bun Sothea, Thun Phanith and Thun Rithy.

Coaching Thun Sophea is the current coach of the Ministry of National Defense gym. He trains 50 students every day. He has a goal to train 100 students in Khmer martial arts.Phork, R. (2022, September 22). លោក ធន់ សុភា បាក់ទឹកចិត្តពីការបង្ហាត់អ្នកស្នងគុនខ្មែរ ក្រោយផ្ទុះការរិះគន់. SBM News. https://sbm.news/articles/632be3fef12fabadddab8fef

In December 2019, his student at the Ministry of National Defense, Bun Sothea, defeated strong fighter Sok Thy of Banteay Meanchey by decision. Bun Sothea was able to score two knockdowns in the fourth round.ល្អមើលសាហាវ បុកមួយទំហឹងហ្មង! ប៊ុន សុធា វាយ សុខ ធី រាប់២ដង កក្រើកពិភពគុនខ្មែរ (មានវីដេអូ) [Good to see a fierce hit! Bun Sothea beats Sok Thy twice, shakes the world of Khmer martial arts]. (2019, December 9). Khmer Load. Retrieved September 19, 2023, from https://www.khmerload.com/article/113298 Sok Thy was a 2018 National Kun Khmer champion and a champion at Bayon and PNN stadium. Brand, J. (2018, June 18). How Kun Khmer Helped Sok Thy Overcome His Bullies.https://mmasucka.com/2018/06/18/how-kun-khmer-helped-sok-thy-overcome-his-bullies/.https://mmasucka.com/2018/06/18/how-kun-khmer-helped-sok-thy-overcome-his-bullies/

In a 2025 interview, Thun Sophea stated that none of his students could succeed him in martial arts. He stated most of his students used force, didn't use tactics in fighting and didn't know how to stop their opponents' weapons. Thun Sophea stated that if a fighter knows how to withstand and restrain an opponent's attack, then it would be difficult for the opponent to fight.Phanit. "លោកគ្រូ ធន់ សុភា បានបង្ហើបថាកូនសិស្សលោកគ្រូមិនទាន់មានអ្នកណាអាចស្នងលោកបានទេ សូម្បីតែម្នាក់នេះ" ["Teacher Thun Sophea revealed that none of his students could succeed him, not even this one."]. CSB Sport, 27 May 2025, www.csbsport.com/article/p00333.

Championships and accomplishments Pradal Serey 2000 TV3 Championship 2002 TV5 Championship 2006 CTN Championship

Thun Sophea

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