Siem Reap holds Asean bodybuilding champs

IN THE wake of the three-member Cambodian bodybuilding team recording one of their biggest successes on the international stage ever at the 9th World Championships in Mongolia last November, the Kingdom has been awarded the hosting rights for the 15th Southeast Asian Body Building and Physique Sports Championship and annual and the regional body’s annual congress.

The prestigious regional champion- ships, involving up to 200 competitors from 11 Asean member nations, competing in 20 categories, will be staged at the Sokhalay Angkor Hotel in Siem Reap from Monday until June 29.

“This is one of the biggest championships that has ever been held in the country, and we at the Cambodian Body Building and Fitness Federation [CBBFF] are proud to welcome some of the best the region has to offer,” the president of the CBBFF, Rasmey Sokmongkol, told The Post on Sunday.

“Outstanding results in Mongolia removed questions over physicality of Cambodians to succeed at his level,” he said. “Now we are ready to show our organisational excellence in bringing together top-notch competitors. It is also an honour to host the annual congress as we continue to push forward for excellence in this sport, which is gaining popularity and recognition.”

The weigh-in and measuring of all the contestants will be held on Tuesday afternoon following the Southeast Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Federation’s congress.

While eight finals are billed for Wednesday, the winners of 12 more categories will be decided the following day, which also features the much coveted contest for the Mr South East Asia 2018 title.

Gold medallist Nan Sambo, silver winner Bunvy Tek and bronze taker Sobin Nom were accorded a grand reception on their arrival from Mongolia in November 2017, with Prime Minister Hun Sen joining the sports fraternity in commending the trio for their unique achievements.