Lao Chetra

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.

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]

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. 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]

In 2018, Sabay News named Lao Chetra as one of the top 5 Cambodian boxers most technically skilled in ability. He is known for having good technique and fighting spirit. His strengths are elbow strikes, knee strikes and punches.^[4] 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.^[5]

At ONE:Clash of Legends, 19 year old Lao Chetra was scheduled to fight 23 year old Superlek Kiatmoo9.^[6] Lao Chetra was defeated by Superlek Kiatmoo9 by unanimous decision.^[7]

In 2019, Lao Chetra knocked out Lorn Panha in the finals for the gold belt at PNN arena and won $10,000.^[8]

At a 2023 IPCC February 11 event, Lao Chetra defeated Thai opponent Kolabkhav Sorchor Peak Outhoy on points.^[9]

Lao Chetra won a gold medal in the 67 kg weight division at the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia.^[10] Chetra said he was happy he could win a gold medal for the people of Cambodia and the nation.^[11]

At the La Belle Equipe Khmer martial arts event in France, Lao Chetra lost by points to French athlete Anthony Defretin.^[12]

Lao Chetra's performance declined after he got injured and gained weight. As a result, The Kampuchea Thmey Daily considered Lorn Panha the new number one Kun Khmer boxer at 67 kg despite never being victorious against Lao Chetra. The two fighters have fought twice before and Lorn Panha has never won. However, Lorn Panha has seen his performance increased.^[13]

At the Golden Boy Kun Khmer 2025 event, Lao Chetra lost to Jose Manuel from Spain on points.^[14]

Lao Chetra is scheduled to compete at Bayon arena against Milad Mavout of Iran on October 25, 2025.^[15]

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. Outside of martial arts, he serves in the military as a member of an elite Special Forces commando unit.^[16] He is a student of the 911 parachute club.^[17]