Featured affiliated academy: Kampot Grappling & Fitness, BJJ Cambodia
Where is the gym located?
In Kampot, Cambodia at the Olympic Stadium. We meet every Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday at 6 pm.
How many people train there?
There is space for 16 people.
Is the gym growing – if so by how many new members each month or year?
Actually there are very few tourists coming to Kampot at the moment. High season is from November to March. My Telegram channel has 44 subscribers, but the majority never showed up.
What are the highest and lowest belt grades training?
The highest belt that trained here was a purple belt.
When did the gym open?
December 2025.
Kampot Grappling & Fitness, BJJ Cambodia
Some facts about you:
Name: Stefan
Age: 61
Belt: I trained mostly in no-gi, but I should be a blue belt.
Profession: Waiting for retirement… Also developing some everlasting double-end punching bags for boxing.
Years in BJJ: 8 to 10 over a span of 25 years. Many places where I lived had no BJJ.
Other martial arts: Some boxing and kickboxing. Also karate and shoot boxing.
Currently living in: Kampot, Cambodia
Originally from: Germany
Please tell us the story of how your gym came into existence
Because there are no martial arts gyms here, and I missed rolling. Kampot has actually a history of martial arts gyms who never made it. There are tons of yoga studios, and I keep saying grappling is like yoga but with a partner.
Tell us about the people that train in the gym – who are they?
Some locals and tourists. Most expats who live here are older, so it’s hard to get them into grappling.
Why do they train in Kampot Grappling & Fitness, BJJ Cambodia?
I guess they want to learn self defense, even though Kampot is a very peaceful place.
What are some of the challenges of running a BJJ gym in general, and in your area specifically?
There is very little interest in martial arts in Kampot and also the nightlife is very inexpensive. You can actually have a beer in a bar for 50 cents. Also tourists stay only a few days and then head to the islands. This town is perfect for budget travelers and getting the right visa is easy compared with neighboring countries. One word: Underrated!
How do you see the future for BJJ in your area?
It will depend on how tourism develops. It dropped dramatically this year. Also, I see Kampot as a good base camp for losing weight or learning martial arts. It is for sure very affordable, with monthly rentals starting from 50 dollars a month! Another positive thing is the climate. It’s not as hot as other places in Southeast Asia and the air quality is way better than in the big cities.
What’s the best thing about Kampot Grappling & Fitness, BJJ Cambodia?
It’s free and there are no dickheads training here. The focus is on 50% rolls and having fun. To me a good indicator is being able to talk while rolling. If someone wants to go harder and his partner agrees, go for it.
What would you recommend Globetrotters to see in your area apart from the inside of your gym?
Many things, starting from the mountains to nearby beaches and much more.
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