Cambodia has a relatively tumultuous past with a lot of fighting with other countries and among themselves. With this in mind, it is not unusual to believe that their traditional sport is a form of martial arts. Bokator is a form of kickboxing and was practiced by the Khmer and is not strictly kickboxing. It is one of the first forms of mixed-martial arts since it includes not just striking but also ground work and wrestling. The form that civilians were allowed to practice was Pradal Serey.

But recently, Cambodians have started adapting western sports and have come to love football. It is currently the most popular sport. The Cambodian national football team has been a member of the FIFA since the early 1950’s and the Asian Football Confederation in the late 1950’s. Basketball and Sepak Takraw which is a lot like volleyball but is played with a rattan ball and instead of using your arms, you kick the ball.

Cambodia’s participation to international competitions is a bit touch and go. They first joined the Olympics in the 1956 Melbourne Games then skipped the 1960’s Rome Olympic Games. They joined the 1964 Games in Tokyo, Japan then skipped the 1968 Mexico Games and joined the 1972 Munich Games. They skipped the Games again and only went back at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

Below are details of sports, sporting events and sports people related to Cambodia. Is there something missing? If you know of something that should be listed here, please let us know.

Popular sports of Cambodia

Traditional or Regional Sports

  • Pradal Serey — a type of kickboxing from from Cambodia. Also known as Kun Khmer
  • Bokator - a form of kickboxing
  • Khmer Wrestling - This is a form of combat sport that involves two fighters trying to pin each other to the ground.

Cambodia Sporting Success

  • Sorn Seavmey won Cambodia's first-ever gold medal in Taekwondo at the 2014 Asian Games
  • Ouk Sreymom won the gold medal in Women's Precision Shooting and Gold in Women's Doubles in the 2022 World Games
  • Ouk Sreymom won the gold medal in the Women's Singles at the 2021 World Pétanque Championship

Great athletes from Cambodia

  • Ouk Sreymom
  • Meas Chanroth
  • Chan Vathanaka
  • Hem Bunting

Cambodia Sports trivia

Cambodia at major events

Past sporting events hosted in Cambodia

  • Cambodia hosted its first-ever SEA Games in 2023

Upcoming sporting events in Cambodia

  • Amret Fun Run 2026: This event will be held at Koh Pich, Phnom Penh on May 24, 2026
  • 2026 Cambodia Golf Invitational: This event will be held at Phnom Penh, Cambodia from October 25-30, 2026

Annual sporting events held in Cambodia

  • Boat Racing Festival
  • The Khmer Wrestling Festival
  • The Cambodian National Games

Sporting Facilities in Cambodia