Afghan Kun Khmer athletes secure medals in world championships
The Kun Khmer Federation of Afghanistan reported on the participation and achievements of the country's national athletes in international competitions. Kun Khmer, a traditional Cambodian martial art, has seen significant growth in Afghanistan in recent years.
Nabi Rezai, president and founder of the federation, launched official activities in early 2024. The national team, consisting of seven athletes, competed in the fifth World Kun Khmer Championships on Dec. 6, 2024, in Cambodia. In their debut, they won four gold medals by Mohammad Hasani, Yasin Mirzai, Nawidullah Saadi and Alireza Shidani; one silver by Nabi Rezai; and two bronzes by Amirhossein Ebrahimi and Alireza Khanzadeh. Afghanistan placed third in the team rankings.
Following this, the team signed a cooperation contract with Cambodia's Phnom Penh Camp. Over a year, Afghan athletes won 10 belts and championships in Cambodian professional events, with standout performances by Alireza Shidani, Mohammad Hasani, Amirhossein Ebrahimi and Yasin Mirzai.
The second World Championships, originally scheduled for December 2025 but held Feb. 10-13, 2026, featured 123 athletes, including 81 women, from 20 countries across 50 weight classes. Afghanistan earned two silvers by Hossein Nazari and Musa Honarjo, and three bronzes by Hossein Mobarez, Seyed Mehdi Mousavi and Nader Moradi, placing 13th overall. Federation officials cited visa delays, late arrival after a 24-hour journey, and insufficient recovery time as factors impacting performance.
Separately, the Afghanistan Buzkashi Federation announced the national team's participation in an international Buzkashi event in Turkistan, Kazakhstan, from March 14 to April 1, 2025, after a nine-year hiatus. Teams from nine countries, including Afghanistan, China, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Turkey, will compete.
ESPN Cricinfo named Afghan cricketer Ibrahim Zadran the best ODI bowler for 2025 following his performances in the Cricket Champions Cup.
Know more about this story?
If you have additional information or believe something is inaccurate, let us know. Your tips help us stay accurate.
Sources (1)
More in Culture
Indian Premier League 2026 to Start April 8 with Afghan Players Participating
Afghanistan Obtains First Membership in World Street Sports Organization Kardo
Two ancient Kushan-era sites identified in Afghanistan's Baghlan province
Afghanistan's National Buzkashi Team Travels to Kazakhstan for World Championships
ReliableIndian Premier League 2026 to Start April 8 with Afghan Players Participating
The Indian Premier League 2026 begins April 8 with Afghan players Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar and Azmatullah Omarzai set to feature for various teams, broadcast exclusively on Ariana TV in Afghanistan. Afghanistan's national Buzkashi team is competing in the World Championships in Kazakhstan, while the cricket series against Sri Lanka has been postponed.
ReliableAfghanistan Obtains First Membership in World Street Sports Organization Kardo
Afghanistan has joined the World Street Sports Organization Kardo for the first time through the efforts of Salman Sultani, who has been named the group's ambassador in the country. The membership enables Afghan athletes to participate in international competitions and programs.
ReliableTwo ancient Kushan-era sites identified in Afghanistan's Baghlan province
Archaeologists in Afghanistan's Baghlan province have identified two 2,000-year-old sites from the Kushan period along roads 8 and 9 in central Baghlan, near the Chamqala site. The Baghlan Information and Culture Directorate head said the finds include mud-brick walls, pottery, ash and bones, with preservation a key priority amid 120 registered sites in the province.
ReliableAfghanistan's National Buzkashi Team Travels to Kazakhstan for World Championships
Afghanistan's 15-member national Buzkashi team has traveled to Kazakhstan for the World Buzkashi Championships after a nine-year hiatus, with nine countries participating. Separately, the cricket series against Sri Lanka was postponed to late 2026 due to Middle East war logistics, while India won the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand.