Chhoeung Lvai (Khmer: ឈឿង ល្វៃ), (born 8 May 1997) is a Cambodian kickboxer and Kun Khmer fighter. In 2023, he won the gold medal at the 32nd SEA Games in low kick kickboxing.[1][2] He is the ISKA Kun Khmer World Light-middle champion(72.5 kg) [3]

CHHOEUNG LVAI (ឈឿង ល្វៃ)
Chhoeung Lvai at his KKIF training club
Born (1997-05-08) May 8, 1997 (age 27)
Sambo Prei kuk, Santuk District, Kampong Thom province, Cambodia
NicknameBlack Dragon
ResidencePhnom Penh
NationalityKhmer
Height1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight72 kg (159 lb; 11 st 5 lb)
StyleKun Khmer
Kun Bokator
Kickboxing
TeamKun Khmer International Fighting Gym
TrainerSvay Sokhon
Years active2017-Present
Kickboxing record
Total91
Wins65
By knockout28
Losses22
Draws04
Other information
Occupation
  • martial artist
Websiteweb.facebook.com/ChhoeungLvayKKIF

Background

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Chhoeung Lvai is originally from Kampong Thom province from a poor family. After finishing 8th grade, he went to work to financially support his family. He used to work as a truck driver.[4]

Chhoeung Lvai got interested in becoming a boxer after watching a match between Keo Rumchong and Long Sophy. In 2017, he started training in boxing at the age of 20. When he first started boxing, his family didn't want him to pursue boxing as a career and had to pursue training secretly. He first started boxing at Coach Long Salavong's club. He first had difficulty finding a boxing gym and had to ask around. In 2019, he switch to the boxing club of Pradal Neakareach Chaktomuk under Coach Svay Sokhon. Chhoeung Lvai now is training at Kun Khmer International Fight Gym (KKIF). Chhoeung Lvai was nicknamed as Black Dragon (នាគរាជខ្មៅ [Neaka reach khmau]) by his fans.[5]

Career

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Low Kick Kickboxing

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At the 31st Southeast Asian Games, Chhoueng Lvai defeated Singaporean martial artist Nazri Sutari in the quarter finals of the men's low kick kickboxing quarter finals at 71 kg.[6] His opponent, Nazri, was a Sambo gold medalist from the 2019 games. Chhoeung Lvai defeated Honorio Banario in the semi-finals of the men's low kick kickboxing at 71 kg.[7] His opponent, Banario, was a former ONE FC featherweight champion. Chhoeung Lvai lost to Thongchai Thapphli in the 71 kg finals match which resulted in a silver medal for Chhoeung Lvai.[8][9]

Medal record
Men's Kickboxing
Representing   Cambodia
Southeast Asian Games
  2021 Hanoi Men's 71 kg, Low kick
  2023 Phnom Penh Men's 71 kg, Low kick
Asian Kickboxing Championship
  2022 Bangkok Men's 75 kg, Low kick

At the 2022 Asian Kickboxing Championship, Chhoeung Lvai won a silver medal.[10]

Chhoeung Lvai said his toughest opponents for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games would be the Philippines and Thailand. He said he trained hard and improved his technical ability a lot since the SEA Games in Vietnam.[11] At the 2023 Southeast Asian Games(SEA Games) kickboxing tournament, Chhoeung Lvai beat Thai boxer Tonphonsi Thanaphat by points in the 71 kg weight class making it the first time he won a gold medal at the SEA Games.[12]

Kun Khmer

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The National Television of Cambodia organized an event at Siem Reap for the Khmer New Year in 2023. There was a controversial match between Chhoeung Lvai and Thai boxer Sammy Banchamek. Chhoeung Lvai's leg was injured in the match. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen issued a message that boxers competing in the SEA games should not compete in other boxing events until the SEA games finish. He also ask the Cambodian Kun Khmer federation to address the issue to avoid incidents that could affect participation in the SEA games. People on Facebook criticized and accused the referee of favoring the side of Sammy Banchamek. The Prime Minister asked people to stop debating the match on social media.[13]

On September 30, 2023 at Town Arena, Chhoeung Lvai was victorious over Italian boxer Matin Meoni.[14]

On December 10, 2023, the Bare Knuckle Kombat Championship hosted their first Kun Khmer event in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and Lvai participated in the inaugural event.[15]

Chhoeung Lvai was scheduled a for a title bout against Brazilian fighter Machado Bento who is a Rajadamnern Stadium world series champion of Thailand.[16] Chhoeung Lvai won the match and the IPCC Ganzberg Kun Khmer world championship by decision.[17]

On Saturday, January 20, 2024, Chhoeung Lvai claimed a knockout victor over Iranian boxer Hamidreza Mehrabloo in the second round.[18]

Chhoeung Lvai of Cambodia fought Jay Tonkin of Australia, a WMO Australian Middleweight Champion,[19] for the ISKA Kun Khmer World Light-middle title(72.5 kg). Chhoeung Lvai had a unanimous decision victory.[20]

Muay Thai

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On March 13, 2024, Chhoeung Lvai was selected to join World Muay Thai Grandprix, organized by I-1 World Muaythai Championship which took place in Hong Kong, China.

Chhoeung Lvai defeated his opponents Fahsang by TKO. The World Super-4 Champion Final 72Kg, Chhoeung Lvai defeated his opponent Elysee Kochiese by unanimous decision in the 72 kg final and became World Muay Thai Champion Belt. It is the first Lvai's success in his career on foreign stage and got many fans in Hong Kong.

Accomplishments

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  • ISKA Kun Khmer World Light-middle champion (72.5 kg)
  • 2023 Southeast Asian Games Low kick - Kickboxing Men's 71 kg - Gold medal
  • Gold World Muaythai Champion Belt from I-1 World Muaythai Champion Hong Kong

Fight record

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Kun Khmer record
Total Fight pending , 57 wins (38 Win by TKOs), 09 losses, 05 draws[21]
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time
October 12, 2024 Loss   Mortaza Seififard PNN Sports [22] Phnom Penh, Cambodia TKO 3
September 29, 2024 Win   Leo Aranha Bayon Television [23] Phnom Penh, Cambodia TKO(elbow strike) 1 1:01
July 26, 2024 Win   Ali Khodarahml Kizz Kun Khmer [24] Cambodia TKO(elbow strike) 1 1:58
June 2, 2024 Loss   Omar Samb Kun Khmer Super Fight 2: Bordeaux Bordeaux, France KO 2 2:35
April 28, 2024 Win   Kongjak Por Pao In (Chaiwat Mueanphong) Ganzberg Kun Khmer Super Strike PNN Arena[25] Phnom Penh, Cambodia Judges Decision (Break Rules) 5 3:00
April 14, 2024 Win   Jayy Tonkin CTN Boxing-ISKA Kun Khmer World Championship [26] Ksach Kandal, Cambodia decision 5 3:00
February 24, 2024 Win   Detrit Kraisraphop Cambodia Kun Khmer KKIF BTV Arena [27] Arey Ksat, Phnom Penh unanimous decision 3 3:00
February 18, 2024 Win   Dmitriy Dmitriyev Kun Khmer Warriors Town Arena [28] Bati, Takeo unanimous decision 3 3:00
February 3, 2024 Win   Ali Khodaarhami Cambodia Kun Khmer KKIF BTV Arena [29] Prey Veng,Cambodia TKO 01 00:40
January 20, 2024 Win   Hamidreza Mehrabloo Cambodia Kun Khmer KKIF BTV Arena[30] Siem Reap,Cambodia TKO 01 0:54
January 7, 2024 Win   Masoud Moghimian Krud Kun Khmer TVK arena [31] kampong Chhnang City, Kampong Chhnang unanimous decision 3 3:00
December 21, 2023 Win   Machado Bento IPCC Ganzberg Kun Khmer World Championship Town Arena[32] Phnom Penh,Cambodia Split Decision 03 3:00
December 10, 2023 Win   Vitor Camarogo Cambodia Kun Khmer KKIF BTV Arena[33] Phnom Penh,Cambodia TKO 01 1:38
November 28, 2023 Win   Unal Burak Krud Kun Khmer TVK Arena[34] Phnom Penh,Cambodia TKO 02 0:23
August 27, 2023 Win   Den Saiyam K.Kampanat (ก้องสยาม ก.กัมปนาท) Champion Kun Khmer Town Arena[35] Phnom Penh, Cambodia TKO 01 00:42
February 18, 2023 Loss   Thoeun Theara Krud Kun Khmer Championship Final [36] Cambodia TKO 1 0:50
February 18, 2023 Win   Alex Scott Krud Kun Khmer Championship Semi-Final [37] Phnom Penh, Cambodia unanimous decision 3 3:00
January 28, 2023 Win   Satanfah Rachanon Town Boxing[38] Battambang, Cambodia TKO 03 1:25
November 13, 2022 Win   Aliriza Amizadet Town Boxing[39] Phnom Penh, Cambodia TKO(elbow strike) 1 5:32
August 29, 2020 Win   Vong Vichhai CTN Boxing[40] Phnom Penh, Cambodia Decision 05
Kickboxing record
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time
April 10, 2022 Win   Han Wenbao Wu Lin Feng 2022: WLF in Cambodia Siem Reap, Cambodia KO 1
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/no contest   Notes
Muay Thai record
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time
March 12, 2024 Win   Elysee Kochiese World Super-4 Champion 72Kg [41] Hong Kong, China Unanimous Decision 3 03:00
March 12, 2024 Win   Fahsang World Super-4 Champion 72Kg [42] Hong Kong, China TKO (Stoppage) 1 02:25
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/no contest   Notes

References

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  1. ^ Nuch, S. (2023, May 29). ម្ចាស់មេដាយមាសស៊ីហ្គេមកីឡាករឈឿង ល្វៃនឹងត្រូវប៉ះគ្នាជាមួយ កីឡាករថៃសាមី បានឆាមេក នៅថ្ងៃទី២៥ខែមិថុនាខាងមុខ [SEA Games gold medalist Chhoeung Lvai will face Thai Sami Banchamek on June 25]. Khmer Note. https://khmernote.com.kh/news/317849
  2. ^ Ponlok, Y. (2021, March 2). ឈឿង ល្វៃ កាន់តែលេចធ្លោក្រោយផ្តួល តុងហ៊ី និងបង្ក្រាបថៃ រិទ្ធី យកប្រាក់លាន [Chhoeung Lvai became more prominent after defeating Tong Hy and cracking down on Thai Rithy for millions]. Post Khmer. Retrieved January 26, 2024, from https://www.postkhmer.com/កីឡា/ឈឿង-ល្វៃ-កាន់តែលេចធ្លោ-ក្រោយផ្តួល-តុងហ៊ី-និងបង្ក្រាប-ថៃ-រិទ្ធី-យកប្រាក់លាន
  3. ^ ISKA Cambodia Results | Kun Khmer World. ISKA World HQ. https://www.iskaworldhq.com/iska-cambodia-results-kun-khmer-world/
  4. ^ ឈឿង ល្វៃ រៀបរាប់ពីប្រវត្តិជីវិតនិងការតស៊ូហាត់ប្រដាល់ដោយលួចលាក់ពីគ្រួសារ [Chhoeung Lvai recounts his life history and secret boxing struggles from his family]. (2023, March 3). VAYO FM. Retrieved January 25, 2024, from https://vayofm.com/news/detail/123014-946.html
  5. ^ ឈឿង ល្វៃ ធ្លាប់ចង់ព្យួរស្រោមដៃដោយសារពាក្យរិះគន់ [Chhoeung Lvai used to want to hang up gloves because of criticism]. (2024, January 10). Cambodianess. Retrieved January 25, 2024, from https://thmeythmey.com/?page=detail&id=133191
  6. ^ Mohan, M. (2022, May 10). 'Heartbreaking' SEA Games loss a 'speed bump' but kickboxer Nazri Sutari resolute in quest to be world's best. Channel News Asia. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/kickboxing-sea-games-nazri-sutari-2674646
  7. ^ Yumol, D. T. (2022, May 11). Banario, Cantores settle for bronze; PH assured of six silvers in kickboxing. CNN Philippines. https://www.cnnphilippines.com/sports/2022/5/11/Banario-Cantores-bronze-kickboxing.html Archived 2023-06-12 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ Brennan, E. (2022, May 13). Vietnam impress in kickboxing on first official day of competition at SEA Games. Inside the Games. https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1123116/vietnam-kickboxing-sea-games
  9. ^ Makara, K. (2023, May 14). SEA Games: Cambodian Kickboxers Win One Gold and Three Silver Medals. Cambodianess. https://cambodianess.com/article/sea-games-cambodian-kickboxers-win-one-gold-and-three-silver-medals
  10. ^ PM Congratulates Cambodian Boxers Medal Winners at the Asian Kickboxing Championships 2022. (2022, December 19). EAC News. https://eacnews.asia/home/details/18059
  11. ^ Chheang Lvai on top rivals at SEA Games Kickboxing event. (2022, November 21). Cambodia 2023.https://cambodia2023.com/10091
  12. ^ Kongkea, B. R. (2023, May 17). Cambodia's kickboxers win six gold. Khmer Times. Retrieved June 14, 2023, from https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501291810/cambodias-kickboxers-win-six-gold/
  13. ^ Nai, N. (2023, April 19). No more side bouts, focus on SEA Games, PM tells national boxers. Khmer Times. https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501275557/no-more-side-bouts-focus-on-sea-games-pm-tells-national-boxers/
  14. ^ Norn, C. (2023, October 2). Cambodia claims int'l titles in eight-sided arena. The Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved January 21, 2024, from https://www.phnompenhpost.com/sport/cambodia-claims-intl-titles-eight-sided-arena
  15. ^ Nai, N. (2023, December 15). BKK Championship brings Kun Khmer to the world. Khmer Times. https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501407158/bkk-championship-brings-kun-khmer-to-the-world/
  16. ^ Neath. (2023, December 20). ប៉ះ Bento ឈឿង ល្វៃ បោះសម្តីថាចង់ឈ្នះចាញ់ដោយមិនបាច់ដាក់ពិន្ទុ. CBS Sport. https://www.csbsport.com/article/bento-chhoeung-lvei-says-he-wants-to-win-and-lose-without-scoring
  17. ^ Chhoeung Lvai vs. Bento. (2023). Town Boxing - TownFullHDTV.
  18. ^ Norn, C. (2024, January 21). Mixed results for foreign fighters in packed weekend of Kun Khmer. The Phnom Penh Post. https://www.phnompenhpost.com/sport/mixed-results-for-foreign-fighters-in-packed-weekend-of-kun-khmer
  19. ^ National and Regional Champions. (n.d.). World Muay Thai Organization. Retrieved May 5, 2024, from https://www.wmomuaythai.org/national-champion/
  20. ^ ISKA Cambodia Results | Kun Khmer World. ISKA World HQ. https://www.iskaworldhq.com/iska-cambodia-results-kun-khmer-world/
  21. ^ Krud Kun Khmer TVK Arena https://www.facebook.com/share/v/2BgQ7e7saLYzLq1P/?mibextid=w8EBqM
  22. ^ PNN Live មហាព្រឹត្តិការណ៍ ដណ្ដើមខ្សែក្រវាត់ប៊ូសស្រ្តង KING OF POWER KUN KHMER
  23. ^ Chhoeung Lvai vs Leo Aranha
  24. ^ Chhoeung Lvai vs Ali Khodarahmm
  25. ^ Chhoeung Lvai vs Kongjak Por Paoin
  26. ^ Chhoeung Lvai vs Jayy Tonkin
  27. ^ Chhoeung Lvai Vs Detrit Kraisraphop at Cambodia Kun Khmer KKIF BTV Arena 72Kg. International friendly Match
  28. ^ Chhoeung Lvai Vs Dmitriy Dmitriyev at Kun Khmer Warriors Town Arena 72Kg. International friendly Match
  29. ^ Chhoeung Lvai Vs Ali Khodaarhami at Cambodia Kun Khmer Arena 72Kg. International friendly Match
  30. ^ Chhoeung Lvai vs Hamidreza Mehrabloo at BTV Arena International Friendly Match
  31. ^ Chhoeung Lvai Vs Masoud Moghimian at Krud Kun Khmer TVK Arena 72Kg. International friendly Match
  32. ^ Chhoeung Lvai vs Machado Beto at Town Arena IPCC Kun Khmer World Champion
  33. ^ Chhoeung Lvai vs Vitor Camarogo at BTV Arena International Friendly Match
  34. ^ Chhoeung Lvai vs Unal Burak at TVK Arena Krud Belt Champion Match
  35. ^ Chhoeung Lvai Vs Den Saiyam K.Kampanat at Champion Kun Khmer Town arena 72Kg. International friendly Match
  36. ^ Chhoeung Lvai vs. Thoeun Theara, February 2024
  37. ^ Chhoeung Lvai Vs Alex Scott at Krud Kun Khmer TVK arena 72Kg. International friendly Match
  38. ^ Chhoeung Lvai Vs Satanfah January 2023
  39. ^ Chhoeung Lvai Vs Aliriza Amizadet
  40. ^ Chhoeung Lvai Vs Vong Vichhai August 2020
  41. ^ Chhoeung Lvai vs Elysee Kochiese at World Super-4 Champion 72Kg at I-1 World Muaythai Championship Arena. He is a winner of Gold World Muaythai Champion Belt
  42. ^ Chhoeung Lvai vs Fahsang at World Super-4 Champion 72Kg at I-1 World Muaythai Championship Arena.