Thoeun Theara

Thoeun Theara (Khmer: ធឿន ធារ៉ា), born on January 1, 1998, in the province of Prey Veng, emerges as an imposing force in the world of Kun Khmer, renowned by his formidable moniker, Nak Leng Pu Thao Dai, translating to “the Axe Man.” Theara has captivated audiences with his thrilling performances, especially with his devastating fists and elbow strikes.

The journey that propelled Theara from a challenging childhood to his current status as a celebrated Kun Khmer fighter adds a compelling narrative to his career. As an all-encompassing fighter, Theara seamlessly melds a diverse set of skills, incorporating punches, knees, elbows, and kicks into his arsenal. He consistently approaches each contest fearlessly, giving his all with unwavering strength and sportsmanship. This multifaceted approach contributes to the electrifying and dynamic nature of his performances, ensuring that each bout featuring Theara is an entertaining spectacle not to be missed.

Early Life

Born in Sdav Village in Prey Kandieng Commune, Peam Ro District, Prey Veng Province, Theara grew up as the only son in a family of four children. Driven by financial challenges, he migrated to Thailand with his parents during his childhood, where he witnessed his father’s hard work as a woodcutter in Saraburi Province.

Kun Khmer’s Journey

In 2016, Theara embarked on his Kun Khmer journey, inspired by the legendary fighters of previous generations. While there were no family ties to the martial art, Theara’s dedication and passion for Kun Khmer set him on a remarkable path.

After spending two years in Thailand building his reputation, Theara returned to Cambodia in mid-2020. However, his comeback initially faced setbacks as he had to take a hiatus after just four fights due to an injury.

Career Peak

The turning point in Theara’s career arrived at the close of 2022 during the prestigious Thai King’s title competition. There, Theara showcased his expertise with a precise elbow strike against Saiyok Sakchainrong, inflicting a significant cut on Sakchainrong’s right eye, resulting in severe bleeding and a doctor’s stoppage. This victory propelled him to new heights, firmly establishing him as one of Cambodia’s top Kun Khmer fighters.

In November 2023, Theara participated in an 8-man tournament organized by Town Full HD TV, featuring commentary from UFC commentators. Despite facing three formidable foreign opponents and engaging in three matches within a few hours, Theara demonstrated his prowess. Firstly, securing victory in the first match by judge’s decision, he truly displayed his dominance in the semi-final and final matches, taking down both of his opponents with his deadly fists. Theara was then awarded a pickup car by the sponsor (Ganzberg) with substantial monetary support from fans and other sponsors.

On 15 September 2024, Theara delivered a yet another stunning performance at the “Ganzberg Kun Khmer to the World Class” event in South Korea , defeating Brazilian champion Victor Teixeira with a third-round knockout. Known for his resilience, Teixeira was overwhelmed by Theara’s aggressive style, culminating in a devastating left hook and a swift combination that left him unconscious.

On November 16, 2024, Theara competed in his second 8-Man Tournament organized by Town Full HD TV, facing three formidable opponents. He defeated Brazilian fighter Victor Teixeira in the first bout with powerful punches, French fighter Alan Leveque in the second with relentless punches, and Australian fighter Stevens Matthew in the final with devastating elbow strikes, securing victories in all three matches with TKOs. This time, his triumph was rewarded with a much bigger prize: a link house in a Borey, provided by the same sponsor of the 2023 tournament.

Forbes Recognition

In May 2024, Thoeun Theara received acclaim by being named on Forbes’ ’30 Under 30 – Asia – Entertainment & Sports’ list, solidifying his status as a symbol of success in his Kun Khmer journey.