Lao Chetra is a Cambodian Kun Khmer fighter. He is a member of Cambodia's national Kun Khmer team. He is widely considered as one of Cambodia's most prominent practitioners of Kun Khmer. He is the reigning gold medalist in Kun Khmer at the Southeast Asian Games in the 67 kg weight division.
Early life
When he was young, Lao Chetra went to school in Kompong Speu province. He longed to compete in the ring. He became more fascinated when his brother Sinat started competing. In his seventh bout, he suffered a severe knockout loss and got eleven stitches. His mother and sister told his to stop fighting but he continued. He got the fullest support from older brothers Sinat and Chantrea. Eventually, his sister and mother started supporting his passion.[1]
Fighting career
On August 21, 2016, at the Southeast Asian Television Arena, rookie Lao Chetra fought Thai Khun Lek, a good fighter in the 54 kg weight division. In the third round, Lao Chetra knock down the Thai fighter to a count of 10. The arena was stunned. Half the spectators applauded the young athlete's victory. An organizer planned to have Lao Chetra compete against more Thai athletes in the future.[2]
Lao Chetra became famous in 2016. He quickly became famous for his bravery, good fighting skills and good physique. In 2016, Lao Chetra won a gold medal at the first national sports event. At the Malaysian SEA Games, Lao Chetra won a bronze medal which made him more famous. At 18 years old, Chetra made headlines by beating a Russian fighter by points at a Khmer-Thai Fight event.[3]
Lao Chetra fought Chan Bunhoeun for the finals of the Carabao belt. He said the match was energetic and extremely tense. Lao Chetra won by decision 3-2 for the belt and trophy as well as 20 million riel.[4]
At ONE:Clash of Legends, 19 year old Lao Chetra was scheduled to fight 23 year old Superlek Kiatmoo9.[5] Lao Chetra was defeated by Superlek Kiatmoo9 by unanimous decision.[6]
At a 2023 IPCC February 11 event, Lao Chetra defeated Thai opponent Kolabkhav Sorchor Peak Outhoy on points.[7]
Lao Chetra won a gold medal in the 67 kg weight division at the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia.[8] Chetra said he was happy he could win a gold medal for the people of Cambodia and the nation.[9]
Personal life
Lao Chetra comes from a martial arts family in Kun Khmer. His middle brother, Lao Chantrea is one of the best fighter in his weight class. His oldest brother, Lao Sinat, is a Cambodian combat sportsman.[10] Outside of martial arts, he serves in the military as a member of an elite Special Forces commando unit.[11]
Fight record
Professional Kun Khmer record
Total fights: 146, 120 wins (33 (T)KOs), 21 losses, 5 draws
^ត្រកូលឡៅទាំង៣ជោគជ័យស្ទើរគ្មានគូប្រៀបតាំងពីដំបូង [The three Lao clans were almost unrivaled in success from the beginning]. (2017, December 27). Sabay News. https://sport.sabay.com.kh/article/1002132
^Sina, N. (2018, December 16). ឡៅ ចិត្រា និយាយអ្វីខ្លះក្រោយឈ្នះប៊ុនហឿនប្រផឹតប្រផើយវគ្គផ្ដាច់ព្រ័ត្រ [What Lao Chetra said after winning Bunhoeun in the finals]. Sabay News. https://news.sabay.com.kh/article/1110921
