Lorn Panha

Lorn Panha (Khmer: លន បញ្ញា), born in 2000 in Prey Veng Province, is a leading Kun Khmer fighter widely regarded as one of the sport’s top competitors. Known for his relentless fighting spirit and refined technique, he has earned recognition both in Cambodia and on the international stage.

Panha is particularly known for forcing opponents to submit through sustained kicking attacks to the legs, body, and head, a rare and demanding achievement in Kun Khmer. Over the past five years, he has maintained one of the longest undefeated runs in the sport, with only two losses during that period. Most of the defeats on his overall record occurred early in his career, during the formative stages of his development as a professional fighter.

Early Life

Born in Prey Veng Province, Lorn Panha’s early life and upbringing laid the foundation for his remarkable journey in Kun Khmer.

In the year 2013, Lorn Panha quit school at eighth-grade education as his family faced economic hardships. He then embarked on a journey to Thailand, where he worked for a year. Following his return to Cambodia, he pursued carpentry as a means of livelihood, dedicating nearly two years of his life to this craft, from 2014 until the end of 2016.

Entry into the Sports and Achievements

The pivotal moment in Lorn Panha’s life arrived in 2017 when he made a life-changing decision to pursue a career in Kun Khmer. He became a member of the Boxing Association of the Ministry of National Defense and embarked on rigorous training under the guidance of Mr. Thun Sophea. Lorn Panha’s deep-seated love for the sport, nurtured since his childhood, fueled his determination to make this transformational shift.

Despite facing external pressures and naysayers who advised him to seek a more conventional career path, Lorn Panha remained steadfast in his pursuit of excellence. He surmounted numerous obstacles and challenges to demonstrate his unwavering commitment to the martial art.

Lorn Panha secured his fourth career title by defeating formidable opponent Ncedo Gomba (South African Boxer) in the middle of the third round to claim the 65kg International Khmer Martial Arts title on August 3, 2023, at TVK Cambodia.

On April 15, 2025, during the second night of Cambodia’s Sangkrant celebrations, Panha defended his Krud Kun Khmer title against a Thai challenger. He maintained steady pressure throughout the fight, using a mix of punches, elbow strikes, and kicks. In the third round, after two standing 10 counts, the challenger was unable to continue, resulting in a win by forfeit for Panha.

SEA Games Triumph

Lorn Panha’s achievements in the martial art continue to soar. He clinched the gold medal in Kickboxing competitions at the 2023 SEA Games, hosted by Cambodia in Phnom Penh.

Lorn Panha became the first-ever WKN World Champion in this Cambodian combat style after knocking down a Moroccan opponent in the first round, marking a historic milestone for the sport. This achievement reflects the WKN’s commitment to Cambodia and was made possible through close cooperation with Cambodian authorities. The championship bout was officially recognized and recorded on BoxRec, Tapology, and the WKN global rankings, opening the door to the future development of this discipline in Cambodia and internationally.

On 31 January 2026, Lorn Panha won an ISKA title after his Spanish opponent was forced to forfeit the fight in round three. The bout ended by corner stoppage, with the Spanish fighter’s corner throwing in the towel. The stoppage followed a knockdown and a powerful hooking roundhouse kick delivered from the front. As the Spanish fighter ducked forward during the exchange, the kick wrapped around and made contact toward the back of the head, resulting in a serious injury. The strike was not thrown from behind, nor was it intentional, and the referee allowed the action to continue based on the position and movement of the opponent at the moment of impact.