Record medal haul a big boost to confidence of nat’l kickboxers

CAMBODIAN kickboxers took home two gold medals, five silver and five bronze from the recent Asian Kickboxing Championships 2022 in the Thai capital Bangkok, with the record 12-medal haul boosting confidence ahead of the 2023 Sea Games the Kingdom is hosting next year.

Heng Sokhorn, the president of the Cambodian Kickboxing Federation who was head of the Cambodian delegation, said upon their return on December 20 that teams from among the heavyweight nations participating in the championships were impressed with the strong showing of the Kingdom’s fighters.

“We didn’t expect to get such good results, and the major countries taking part in the competition were surprised with Cambodia having such strong boxers.

“Iraq and Iran are among the strongest countries, with good and tall boxers, but we managed to overcome them, winning out over two Iraqis.

“We also beat three Thais in the semi-finals, to the disappointment of the hosts,” Sokhorn said.

The Asian Kickboxing Championships 2022 ran from December 10-18.

Cambodia’s Sok Rith won gold after beating Uzbekistan’s Muboev Sherali on points in their final, while Khuon Langkosin also took gold, winning out Kazakhstan’s Duisenov Dulat on points in the 57kg category low-kick final.

The five silver medallists were Chhoeung Lvei, Roeung Sophoan,

Touch Rachan (Beut Sangkum), Born Ponleuk and Sine Sineth.

Vorn Kim Cheng, Sorn Rakim, Met Borin, Phorn Chanthy and female fighter Ly Ly San all took home bronze medals.

Heng Sokhorn said the Cambodian boxers had trained hard and deserved their record return.

“We were ready and our boxers were determined. Our fighters have shown they have the ability and quality to compete with strong countries, and we deserved this success,” he said.

The impressive result at the Asian Kickboxing Championships 2022 has boosted confidence in the Cambodian Kickboxing Federation of a strong showing at the 2023 SEA Games.

“We will build on the accomplishments of the previous SEA Games in Vietnam – where Beut Sangkum took gold in addition to three silvers and one bronze – and the Asian Kickboxing Championships 2022.

“We will do our best to surpass these achievements and make the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games a great success,” Sokhorn said.