- Source: Pich Sophann
Pich Sophann (also spelled Pich Sophan,Born: July 1, 1982, from Kdey Tahuk village, Porumchak commune, Prey Kabas district, Takeo province, The Kingdom of Cambodia) (Khmer: ពេជ្រ សុផាន់) is a retired professional Kun Khmer fighter and kickboxer. Now he is a Kun Khmer trainer and a founder of Pich Sophann 8888 Kun Khmer Gym and Kun Khmer Grassroots Super fight and Gym. He has 40 trainees under his supervision included Pich Sambath, a famous champion of Kun Khmer lightweight 60 kg. Sophann was named as Heavy Fist Punch Fighter during his fighting career from 1999–2009.
In the past, Pich Sophann, a brave-hearted Kun Khmer Fighter, had a quick and heavy punch, and never let go of his opponent. He built a reputation and also led his brother Pich Seyha to follow this path. As a member of the Boxing Association of the Ministry of National Defense, Sophann has won a series of annual national competitions in the weight category of 57 kg, 63.5 kg and 67 kg, he especially won the 57 kg belt champion at Channel 5 arena in 2004.
Early life and personal life
Pich Sophann was born on July 1, 1982, in Preykabass district, Takeo Province, Cambodia, to a farmer family with five siblings. There are only two siblings, Pich Sophann and Pich Seyha, involved with learning Kun Khmer (Prodal Serey), developed and disciplined himself to become famous in sport.
Developing a new career from Kun Khmer boxer to Kun Khmer trainer, he is full-fledged to promote Kun Khmer and train newcomers who would love learning Kun Khmer or seeking Kun Khmer as professional career. Sophann said:
"Fame can come true from ourselves being strong first, then other circles or institutions will help us.
After moving to Phnom Penh to learn Kun Khmer and went into as Kun Khmer martial artist for 12 years, Sophan met and married Ms. Thach Chenda, owner of a salon shop near Porchentong, Porsenchey, Phnom Penh, on March 08, 2015.
Presently, he has one daughter and two sons.
Sophan's wife does not like boxers, so he is hesitant if he has children who prefer to do business or work a lot than being as a boxer. But if his children love Kun Khmer boxing, he will not forbid them.
Career
- 1999-2009: Pich Sophan trained Kun Khmer with his master Chhit Saroem, a master of Kun Khmer National Defense Ministry Gym and competed in 1999 at the old stadium and he was very famous in weight. 57 kg and weighs 63.5 kg. after winning the national team for many years, he won a belt after defeating Try Kunthor in Final and beat some strong fighters such as Mey Sopheap, Sen Bunthen, Voy Sothoun, Lor Samnang and Phav Pheurk. Then in the weight of 67 kg, He always had the advantage of beating them, with all the bouts, only Phal Sophat he lost. He had more than 400 fighting records included overseas, official local TV arena and along Khmer-Thai border and he had around 20 Losses Records only. Due to he had some physical problems with his strength during the fights, in 2009, he decided to retire from Kun Khmer Boxer and serve as a judge and a competition committee .
With four years of hard work experience as a Prodal Serey and coaching in Australia for 4 years Previously, Pich Sophann claimed that he now has a satisfactory result, both as a coach and as a competition committee. There was also a civil service in the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, and all of this made the engagement in entering the field of boxing for more than 20 years, Sophan is happy to accept this skill.
- Since 2009:
- Serves as a Kun Khmer trainer for National Defense Kun Khmer Gym
- Serves as a judge and a competition committee
- Since 2017: Lieutenant of Ministry of Defense
- Since 2018: To promote Prodal Serey Kun Khmer, he found 157 Kun Khmer Association Gym at Sangkat Choam Chao 2, Phnom Penh. He paid everything for his students and open a free courses.
In 2019, he had renamed his club into Kun Khmer Cambodian Youth Movement Boxing Clup. After COVID-19 had broken out, his club was closed temporarily till 2021. In July 2023, he has named his new club as Pich Sophan 8888 Kun Khmer Gym. There are 40 trainees in his club. Sophann spends so much money per every month to support his club because he provides free for trainees.
- Since 2023: He found Kun Khmer Grassroots Super Fight and Gym.
Today Sophann also runs a small business. He sells a variety of Kun Khmer tools product.
Under his strictly regulations and disciplines, his students are very qualified Kun Khmer boxer such as Pich Seyha (retired), Pich Kakada (retired), Pich Bunsith, Pich Sambath, Pich Atitep...etc. In 2023, he collected 08 champion belts from the event of fighting.
- Since 2024: Earlier 2024, Pich Sambath has won one belt for his Master Pich Sophann. On March 1, 2024, Pich Bunsith defeated his opponent Bun Sothea, a student of Thun Sophea and won a KKF Belt with twenty million Riels (USD5,000) for Pich Sophann 8888 Kun Khmer Gym. In May 2024, Pich Sambath defeated Thun Vanna and brought a Krud belt for his Master Pich Sophann.
Early November, 2024, Master Sophann achieved 5 belts which are seized from international and national stage, a notable victory in his career. Town TV sport gives an Outstanding Coach Cup to him on November 15, 2024.
November 2024 victory series:
A. National Belts
Pich Bunsith: Krud Kun Khmer Champion, 57Kg MMA Glove Title after defeating Ourch Thearith.
Pich Sambath: Krud Kun Khmer Champion, 60Kg MMA Glove Title after defeating Ncedo Comba.
Pich Reaksmey: V-Active Grassroot Kun Khmer Champion, 48Kg Title after defeating Prak Sina.
B. International Belts, Malaysia:
Pich Atitep: King of the Ring Champions Kudamerah, 57Kg Title after defeating Izzt Zaki.
Pich Kakada: King of The Ring Champions Kudamerah, 57Kg Title after defeating AMITUL HAKIM.
Achievements
2024 : Oustanding Kun Khmer Coach Award from Town Television.
2004 : TV5 Cambodia Champion Belt 57 Kg 2004 after defeating Try Kunthor
Fight Records
Filmography
January 2024: Sophann acts as "A Thief Team Leader" in a video film with Sathen Media,
