Thun Sophea Explained
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.[1] [2] Thun Sophea was once considered Cambodia's best kickboxer.[3] He had defeated every notable Cambodian fighter including Sen Bunthen, Vorn Viva, Meas Chantha, Chey Kosal and Outh Phouthang.[4]
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.[5]
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.[6]
In July 2009, Thun Sophea defeated Sen Bunthen at the CTN boxing arena.[7]
In October 2009, Thun Sophea defeated Ugandan boxer Muhammed Nsugbuga in a first-round TKO by low kicks.[8]
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.[9]
In February 2010, Thun Sophea defeated English fighter Jason Woodham by low kicks in the third round.[10]
In March 2010, Thun Sophea defeated French boxer Adil Khodja at TV3 arena.[11]
On September 10, 2010; Sen Bunthen won by decision against Thun Sophea.[12]
In November 2010, Thun Sophea had a rare decision loss to South African fighter Bakhulule Baai.[13]
In 2011, Thun was the highest paid athlete (along with Chhunly Pagenburg) from Cambodia making US$30,000.[14]
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.[15]
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.[16] Sok Thy was a 2018 National Kun Khmer champion and a champion at Bayon and PNN stadium.[17]
Championships and accomplishments
Pradal Serey
- 2000 TV3 Championship
- 2002 TV5 Championship
- 2006 CTN Championship
See also
External links
Notes and References
- 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-line
- Uong, 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Starkweather, R. (2010, March 1). Zidov lasts five with Vorn Viva. The Phnom Penh Post. https://phnompenhpost.com/sport/zidov-lasts-five-vorn-viva
- Starkweather, R. (2010, March 22). Nuon Soriya triumphs at TV3. The Phnom Penh Post. https://phnompenhpost.com/sport/nuon-soriya-triumphs-tv3
- 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
- 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
- Web site: The Mag: Best-paid players from 200 countries. 4 May 2012.
- Phork, R. (2022, September 22). លោក ធន់ សុភា បាក់ទឹកចិត្តពីការបង្ហាត់អ្នកស្នងគុនខ្មែរ ក្រោយផ្ទុះការរិះគន់. SBM News. https://sbm.news/articles/632be3fef12fabadddab8fef
- 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
- 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/
