The Ring Kun Khmer: Preserving and Promoting Cambodia’s Ancient Martial Art
Kun Khmer, Cambodia’s ancient martial art, is deeply woven into the country’s history and identity. Despite its rich heritage, Kun Khmer has often been overshadowed on the international stage. Enter The Ring Kun Khmer, a modern gym in Phnom Penh that not only trains fighters but also welcomes beginners, tourists, and fitness enthusiasts who want to experience this unique sport. To get a deeper insight into the mission behind The Ring Kun Khmer, Cambodia Lifestyle sat down with co-founder Sov Men, who is also the creator of Khmer Flow, a lifestyle brand dedicated to promoting Kun Khmer worldwide.
Can you introduce yourself and tell us about The Ring Kun Khmer?
My name is Sov Men, and I’m the co-founder of The Ring Kun Khmer, a gym located in the heart of Phnom Penh. I also manage our professional fight team and act as their agent. Additionally, I created Khmer Flow, a lifestyle brand that aims to promote Kun Khmer culture and identity beyond Cambodia’s borders.
When we launched The Ring, our goal was simple: to create a welcoming space where anyone could experience Kun Khmer. Whether you’re a local, an expat, a tourist, or just a fitness enthusiast, this gym is for you. The idea was never to build a gym just for fighters but to make a modern Kun Khmer training center that is open to all.
Over time, we naturally attracted more serious fighters, and I realized how few opportunities there were for them to grow or gain international exposure. That’s when my role evolved—I began managing our fight team, building international connections, and helping our athletes get the recognition they deserve.
On a personal level, this journey has been eye-opening. Being born and raised in France, I grew up unaware that Cambodia even had its own martial art. That realization shocked me. If I didn’t know, how many others were also unaware? That inspired me to create Khmer Flow. It started as a clothing line, but it quickly became a cultural platform that spreads awareness of Kun Khmer worldwide. Our slogan, “We Don’t Play Kun Khmer”, has become a proud statement of what this sport represents—it’s not just a game, it’s our identity.
Today, The Ring remains a gym for everyone. Yes, we train professional fighters, but we also welcome amateurs, beginners, kids, and tourists. It’s a community where people can experience a piece of Cambodia’s heritage, whether their goal is fitness, fun, or mastering Kun Khmer. At the same time, we continue to push the sport globally, step by step.
How long has The Ring been operational, and what are your future plans?
We’ve been running The Ring for almost three years now. What started as a training space quickly grew into something much bigger. As I worked with more fighters, I realized that it wasn’t just about running a gym—it was about creating real opportunities for Kun Khmer athletes, especially those who dream of international exposure but have no clear pathway to achieve it.
That’s when my vision shifted: I want The Ring to be a launchpad for Kun Khmer fighters, helping them grow locally and internationally. With Khmer Flow, I want to take Kun Khmer beyond the ring, giving it a platform in everyday life.
Some of our biggest achievements so far:
- Watching our community grow and seeing amateur members step into their first interclub fights.
- Seeing our professional fighters improve daily and now be recognized among the best in Cambodia.
- Having two of our fighters selected for GMA (Gods of Martial Arts), one of the biggest MMA promotions in Vietnam, with the chance to fight for a belt.
- The success of our Khmer Flow slogan, “We Don’t Play Kun Khmer”, which has gained international attention.
Looking ahead, I have big plans: Partner with major organizations like Glory Kickboxing, ONE Championship, and Karate Combat. Continue growing Khmer Flow as a cultural brand that carries Kun Khmer’s message worldwide. Expand The Ring—possibly opening new gyms across Cambodia. Make Kun Khmer a recognized part of Cambodia’s sports tourism.
It’s a long road, but we’re already on the way.
What makes The Ring unique, and what do you love most about your work?
What I love most is that The Ring has become a real community. On any given day, you’ll see professional fighters, hobbyists, kids, seniors, locals, and expats all training together. There’s no judgment, no ego—just people pushing themselves and supporting each other.
Our uniqueness comes from this balance: we’re modern and international, yet we deeply respect the roots of Kun Khmer. We work with Kun Khmer legends but also bring in foreign coaches to provide fresh perspectives. This mix creates something truly special.
Beyond just training fighters, Khmer Flow has become the cultural voice of our mission. The designs, slogans, and merchandise all send a message: Kun Khmer is serious, and it belongs on the world stage.
At our core, we stand for respect, hard work, and loyalty. Whether someone trains for fitness, competition, or cultural connection, they receive the same support. The Ring and Khmer Flow are two sides of the same mission—building something meaningful for Kun Khmer, both inside and outside the ring.
Why should people train at The Ring, and how does it benefit the community?
The Ring isn’t just another gym. It’s a unique spot in the heart of Phnom Penh, located in Koh Pich at Aquation Office Park. We’ve partnered with DIB Club, so members don’t just train—they also get access to a beautiful swimming pool for recovery and relaxation. It’s a full experience, not just a workout.
What sets us apart is the mix of serious training and a great environment. Fighters, international athletes, tourists, and hobbyists all train together. It’s not about status, it’s about effort.
On top of that, Khmer Flow turns every supporter into an ambassador for Kun Khmer. People wear our shirts in Europe, the U.S., Myanmar, and beyond. Every time someone puts on a “We Don’t Play Kun Khmer” shirt, they’re carrying our culture with them.
On a bigger scale, The Ring helps young Cambodians—especially those from rural areas—find opportunities they never imagined. Some of our fighters came from tough backgrounds, and today, they’re on TV, fighting abroad, and building careers. That changes their lives and those of their families and communities.
What does Cambodia mean to you, and why have you chosen to build this here?
For me, this is personal. I was born in France, but my roots are here. I didn’t expect to stay this long when I came to Cambodia ten years ago. But the more time I spent here, the more I saw how much potential there was—and how much of our own culture is still under-promoted.
Discovering Kun Khmer was a shock. Growing up in France, I loved martial arts, but I had no idea Cambodia had its own fighting style. That realization made me stay. It felt like my responsibility to help Kun Khmer evolve, modernize, and gain recognition, both here and internationally.
What I love about living in Cambodia is the energy. It’s young, fast-moving, and full of opportunities to build something meaningful. That’s what I’m doing with The Ring Kun Khmer and Khmer Flow—helping write the next chapter for Kun Khmer and making sure it gets the respect it deserves.
The Ring Kun Khmer & Fitness
📍 Location: 540 Koh Pich Street, Aquation Office Park, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
⏰ Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 7:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Saturday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📞 Contact:
Phone / Telegram / WhatsApp: +855 96 696 1994
Facebook: @theringkunkhmer
Instagram: @theringkunkhmer
Khmer Flow
Facebook: @khmerflow.kh
Instagram: @khmerflow
DM directly to order “We Don’t Play Kun Khmer” t-shirts, gear, and more.
 | Cambodia |
 | https://www.cambodialifestyle.com |
 | +855 9 678 01791 |
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Author: Tom Starkey
Tom Starkey is an International Development graduate from Sussex University with 12-years of experience across 4 continents, Tom's goal is that he wants to showcase his love for Cambodia, where he lives, works and now happily calls home.
