By Virginie Noel

Charleroi, Belgium — When Sen Bunthen arrived in Charleroi, Belgium, he was in good spirits. He had been training hard with Philippe Sebire, French trainer and president of the National Kun Khmer Commission of the FFSCDA, for the past two weeks, and he was feeling fit and strong. “I have never trained this hard in my life”, he said, looking back on daily hour-long cross-country runs, and endless sessions of 7-minute rounds with the French trainer. “Sen Bunthen has worked very hard”, said Sebire, adding, “no other fighter ever hurt me so much during training.”

The October 31 fight he was preparing for was his first stab at an international career. Facing Ali Abrayem, holder of six titles, including the WFCA K1 World Champion title, Sen Bunthen was not intimidated. “I’m not afraid of him. I am going in to win tonight”, Sen Bunthen asserted before the fight.

The night started off well. Bunthen won over the audience with his elegant Kun Kru. And while Ali started explosively into the first round, Bunthen was ready. He avoided Ali’s renowned flying knees and answered every kick and punch. One of Bunthen’s middle kicks landed so loudly on Ali’s side that it resonated through the large hall, prompting cheers from the audience. Toward the end of the first round, however, Bunthen’s luck turned.

While avoiding a head kick, Bunthen somehow dislocated his left shoulder. Suddenly his arm hung limply from his body and the fight had to be stopped. Ali kept his title without having fought for it. It was a disappointment for all. But trainer Philippe Sebire stayed positive. “What matters is that we brought a Khmer fighter to a WFCA K1 World Championship in Europe. He is the first Cambodian to fight for a title in Europe. The people saw a Khmer boxer, and he showed them what he was capable of. The injury is an accident, it could happen to anyone.”

Sen Bunthen will stay in France and Belgium for his recovery, where he will also give workshops at a Belgian Muay Thai club. Nuon Soriya will replace him for scheduled fights on the 14^th November in Brussels, and on the 27^th November in Rennes, France.