Lao Chantrea is a Cambodian martial artist that competes in the Cambodian sport of Kun Khmer (pradal serey). He is considered one of the most skilled boxers in Cambodia and a member of Cambodia's national Kun Khmer team. He has won the national championship and is the reigning gold medalist in Kun Khmer at the Southeast Asian Games in the 75 kg weight division.
Boxing career
In 2014, a young Lao Chantrea won the 60 kg Leo Beer belt. In 2015, the Cambodian Boxing Federation bestowed upon Lao Chantrea the nickname, the "flying knee". Previously, the nickname was held by Eh Phouthong. Eh Phouthong said he was happy that a new strong athlete could use that nickname because he had retired from boxing.Sovanndara, S. (2015, January 15). អេ ភូថងទម្លាយរឿងរហស្សនាម«កែងឆេះជង្គង់ហោះ»កាល១៥ឆ្នាំមុន [Eh Phouthong received the nickname "Flying Knee" 15 years ago]. Sabay News. https://news.sabay.com.kh/article/229775
On March 19, 2016, Lao Chantrea from the 911 Parachute Brigade Club became champion of the second season of the PNN Leo Beer Championship. He won $5,000 by knocking out Soth Bunthy by elbow to the neck in the second round.កីឡាករ ឡៅ ចន្ទ្រា បានក្លាយជាម្ចាស់ជើងឯកជាមួយទឹកប្រាក់៥ពាន់ដុល្លារ[Lao Chantrea becomes champion with $ 5,000]. (2016, March 20). Cambodianess. Retrieved February 8, 2024, from https://thmeythmey.com/?page=detail&id=37789 Lao Chantrea believed he had a 90% chance of winning the finals of the Leo Beer Belt.ឡៅ ចន្ទ្រា សង្ឃឹម៩០%យកខ្សែក្រវាត់ Leo Beer វគ្គ២ នៅPNN [Lao Chantrea hopes to take Leo Beer section 2 belt at PNN]. (2016, March 7). Sabay News. https://news.sabay.com.kh/article/642435#utm_campaign=onpage In December 2016, Lao Chantrea defeated Phal Sophorn at the Kubota Championship at Bayon Boeung Snor Arena.Norn, C. (2022, August 9). Kun Khmer champ preparing for fights abroad ahead of SEA Games. The Phnom Penh Post. https://www.phnompenhpost.com/sport/kun-khmer-champ-preparing-fights-abroad-ahead-sea-games On December 30, 2017, Lao Chantrea beat his opponent Thananchai with a unanimous decision in a match at Bayon Arena.ឡៅ ចន្ទ្រា យកឈ្នះកីឡាករថៃ ថាណាន់ឆៃ (វីដេអូ) [Lao Chantrea defeats Thai player Thananchai]. (2018, January 1). Post News. https://postnews.com.kh/sport/283872
In 2018, Sabay News named Lao Chantrea as one of the top 5 Cambodian boxers most technically skilled in ability.Sina, N. (2018, November 5). អ្នកលេងគុនខ្មែរ៥រូបនេះវ៉ៃបច្ចេកទេសពិតៗតែម្តង [These five Cambodian contestants are real technicians]. Sabay News. https://news.sabay.com.kh/article/1100909#utm_campaign=onpage He is known for his punches, kicks and clinching while using knee techniques. In 2018 at the ISI PALM championship at CNC television studio, Lao Chantrea beat Chhan Chhai of Thailand with an elbow attack. The referee stopped the match and Chantrea won in round three of the five scheduled rounds.It's a knockout! (2018, February 12). Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved December 2, 2023, from https://www.phnompenhpost.com/sport/its-knockout In 2018, Lao Chantrea was named to the 2018 national team.Sina, N. (2018, February 19). ធឿន ធារ៉ា ជាប់ជាកីឡាករជម្រើសជាតិឆ្នាំ២០១៨ [Thoeun Theara named to the 2018 national team]. Sabay News.https://news.sabay.com.kh/article/1019396#utm_campaign=onpage
At the 2019 national championship, Lao Chantrea earned a gold medal in the 67 kg weight division.Sina, N. (2019, October 13). ជើងឯកថ្នាក់ជាតិគុនខ្មែរ ២០១៩ កីឡាករឆត្រយោងដល់ទៅ៤នាក់ឈ្នះមេដាយមាស [2019 Cambodian National Contest Championships awards four gold medals]. Sabay News. https://news.sabay.com.kh/article/1169400#utm_campaign=onpage On June 14, 2020, Lao Chantrea won against Thoeun Theara by points. Their next match was on July 31, 2021 and Lao Chantrea knocked out Thoeun Theara in the second round.Phanit. (2025, March 11). ធឿន ធារ៉ា ចាត់ទុកម្នាក់នេះជាកីឡាករដែលពិបាកប្រកួតជាងគេ [Thoeun Theara considers this player to be the most difficult to compete against.]. CSB Sports. https://www.csbsport.com/article/p00215 On Saturday morning of June 26, 2021, at Bayon TV arena, Lao Chantrea got hit by the heavy hand of Thai Rithy and lost the match in the middle of the 3rd round.បុកគ្នាមួយទំហឹងហ្មង!ម្នាក់ពូកែទាត់ ម្នាក់ពូកែម៉ាត់ ចុងក្រោយ ឡៅ ចន្ទ្រាចូល១ដៃងងឹតមុខឈឹងត្រឹមទឹក៣ (មានវីដេអូ). (2021, June 26). True ID. Retrieved December 24, 2023, from https://trueid.com.kh/article/sports/sub/sports-boxing/WjbrovyPge3j/-
Although he was selected for the national team, Lao Chantrea did not compete at the 31st SEA Games because his weight division was not an event.Sina, N. (2022, April 20). ឡៅ ចន្ទ្រា ឡៅ ចិត្រាមិនមានឈ្មោះចេញទៅប្រកួតស៊ីហ្គេម២០២២ នេះទេ [Lao Chantrea, Lao Chetra will not be named for the 2022 SEA Games]. Sabay News. Retrieved February 24, 2024, from https://news.sabay.com.kh/article/1326331 At the 32nd SEA Games, Lao Chantrea received a gold medal by defeating Vietnamese boxer Nguyen Hong Quan in the finals of the men's 75 kg weight division.Kongkea, B. R. (2023, May 12). Golden competition for Kun Khmer fighters. Khmer Times. Retrieved December 12, 2023, from https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501289174/golden-competition-for-kun-khmer-fighters/ The match took place on the afternoon of May 11, 2023 at Morodok Techo National Stadium.កីឡាករគុនខ្មែរ ឡៅ ចន្ទ្រា ទទួលបានមេដាយមាស ក្នុងប្រភេទទម្ងន់ ៧៥គីឡូក្រាម [Khmer Boxer Lao Chantrea Won A Gold Medal In The 75 Kg Weight Category]. (2023, May 11). Ministry of Information. Retrieved February 24, 2024, from https://www.information.gov.kh/articles/104546
In 2023, Lao Chantrea won in the second round against Denpanum, the reigning Lumpinee middleweight champion from Thailand.Norn, C. (2023, December 13). Drama follows PNN Kun Khmer fight night. Phnom Penh Post. https://www.phnompenhpost.com/sport/drama-follows-pnn-kun-khmer-fight-nightColley, M. (2023, October 30). The Road to Rajadamnern begins in Liverpool with world title on the line. Mersey Sport Live. Retrieved February 24, 2024, from https://merseysportlive.co.uk/2023/10/30/the-road-to-rajadamnern-begins-in-liverpool/ On February 4, 2024, at The Battle of Kings event at the National Television of Cambodia(TVK), Lao Chantrea beat Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee by points.Norn, C. (2024, February 5). Draw not enough for Rithy, Chantrea home on points. The Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved February 7, 2024, from https://www.phnompenhpost.com/sport/draw-not-enough-for-rithy-chetra-home-on-points
Lao Chantrea was scheduled to compete for an upcoming title bout in the over-78 kg category against the seasoned Thai fighter Saiyok Pumpanmuang. This match, scheduled for February 23 in Takeo province, represents a significant opportunity for Chantrea to demonstrate his competencies and revitalize his standing in the sport.Norn, C. (2025, February 20). Lao Chantrea looking to restore reputation against Thai veteran. The Phnom Penh Post. https://www.phnompenhpost.com/sport/lao-chantrea-looking-to-restore-reputation-against-thai-veteran
Chantrea has acknowledged a decline in his performance in recent years, which is in stark contrast to his dominance as a fighter seven or eight years ago when he was regarded as a formidable opponent. During that peak period, he consistently achieved victories in high-profile contests, often securing wins through powerful knee strikes and proficient boxing techniques that led to knockouts of his competitors.
Personal life Lao Chantrea trains under Master Hong Seun who has also train other famous athletes such as Ung Virak, Lao Chetra, Lao Sinath and Prom Samnang.ហង្ស ស៊ឺន៖៣ចំណុចតឹងរ៉ឹងពីក្រោយភាពជោគជ័យរបស់សិស្សឆត្រយោង៩១១. (2016, December 16). Sabay News. https://news.sabay.com.kh/article/896695 He is the older brother of Kun Khmer star, Lao Chetra.Lao Chetra Reflects On His Brothers Ahead Of ONE Debut. (2019, February 14). Yahoo! News. https://sg.news.yahoo.com/lao-chetra-reflects-brothers-ahead-220401913.html His nephew is Cambodian boxer Lao Sainet, who is a boxer at the 911 Parachute Brigade Club.ចន្ទ្រា៖ឡៅ សៃណេតអនាគតអាចក្លាយជាកីឡាករជួរមុខព្រោះ....(2021, April 19). Sabay News. https://news.sabay.com.kh/article/1272061#utm_campaign=onpage
Lao Chantrea was in attendance at Manny Pacquiao's state visit to Cambodia and was among the Cambodian boxers to take a selfie with the Filipino great.Vorajee, I. (2016, December 15). Pacquiao Greets Cambodian Boxers. Khmer Times. Retrieved February 21, 2024, from https://www.khmertimeskh.com/63035/pacquiao-greets-cambodian-boxers/
Lao Chantrea has said he wanted to see a lot of fans and sponsors support Cambodian boxers in the same way they do soccer. He has said the Cambodian boxing industry does not receive enough support.Sina, N. (2016, August 10). ឡៅ ចន្រ្ទាចង់ឃើញប្រដាល់ខ្មែរមានអ្នកឧបត្ថម្ភច្រើនដូចបាល់ទាត់កុំឲ្យកីឡាករដាច់បាយ. Sabay News. https://news.sabay.com.kh/article/797345#utm_campaign=onpage
Championships and accomplishments
2014 Leo Beer Belt (60 kg) 2016 PNN Leo Beer Champion 2016 Kubota Champion 2018 ISI PALM Champion 2019 National Championship Gold Medalist (67 kg) 2023 Southeast Asian Games Gold Medalist (75 kg) 2025 Krud Kun Khmer Champion (78 kg)
Fight record
|- style="background:#cfc;" | July 5, 2026|| Win ||align=left| Sofiane Yousseef || Bayon TVhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KdfxjuOEXg ឡៅ ចន្រ្ទា vs សូហ្វីយ៉ាន យូសេហ្វ បារាំង LAO CHANTREA VS SOFIANE YOUSSEEF || Phnom Penh, Cambodia || Decision || 3 ||
|- style="background:#fbb;" | May 2, 2026|| Loss ||align=left| Li Bolin || Town Boxinghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WU0mxjL-EkA Lao Chantrea vs. Li Bolin. || Cambodia || KO || 2 || 2:14
|- style="background:#cfc;" | March 22, 2026|| Win ||align=left| Ameer Yousefi || PNN Sportshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cakmCJ_11GU Lao Chantrea vs Ameer Yousefi, date March 22, 2026. || Cambodia || KO || 4 || 1:24
|- style="background:#cfc;" | March 14, 2026|| Win ||align=left| Moham Madreza || Kun Khmer on Bayon TVhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXkEiIxWxgw Lao Chantrea vs Moham Madreza, date March 14, 2026. || Phnom Penh, Cambodia || KO || 2 || 0:17
|- style="background:#cfc;" | January 18, 2026|| Win ||align=left| Ahad Varghaiyan || Bayon TVhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIYAc6xZGcc Lao Chantrea vs Ahad Varghaiyan, date January 18, 2026. || Phnom Penh, Cambodia || Decision || 3 ||
|- style="background:#cfc;" | November 23, 2025|| Win ||align=left| Mohamed Attaba || PNN Sportshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7q3GWE5nogw Lao Chantrea vs Mohamed Attaba, date November 23, 2025. || Phnom Penh, Cambodia || TKO || 4 || 0:29
|- style="background:#fbb;" | September 13, 2025|| Loss ||align=left| Juan Jackson || Krud Kun Khmer: Land of Peace https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brX-XywzHWE Lao Chantrea vs. Juan Jackson, date September 13, 2025. || Cambodia || TKO(doctor's stoppage) || 2 ||
|- style="background:#fbb;" | June 21, 2025|| Loss ||align=left| Suran Juanmiry || Bayon TV Newshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDTa8w5IqCA Lao Chantrea vs. Suran Juanmiry, date June 21, 2025. || New Zealand || KO || 1 || 1:19
|- style="background:#cfc;" | May 31, 2025|| Win ||align=left| Juan Jackson || Krud Kun Khmer to USA - Bayon Television https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vEJIxbrYpY Lao Chantrea vs Juan Jackson, date May 31, 2025. || Tacoma, U.S. || Decision || 3 ||
|- style="background:#cfc;" | February 23, 2025|| Win ||align=left| Saiyok Pumpanmuang || Krud Kun Khmer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAFKT-Xldhg Lao Chantrea vs Saiyok, date February 23, 2025. || Cambodia || Decision || 3 ||
|- style="background:#fbb;" | December 30, 2024|| Loss ||align=left| Jake Lund || Krud Kun Khmer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrT-Og-h7Kc Lao Chantrea vs. Jake Lund, date December 30, 2024. || Cambodia || TKO || 2 ||
|- style="background:#cfc;" | June 29, 2024|| Win ||align=left| Mortasa Seyfifarrd || Hang Meas Kun Khmer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQW7g703yLI Lao Chantrea vs. Mortasa Seyfifarrd, date June 29, 2024. || Cambodia || Decision || 3 ||