Seavmey, Puthearim Bring Home Silverware

Cambodian Taekwondo medalists Sorn Seavmey and Chhoeun Puthearim returned to the Kingdom yesterday after securing podium places in the recently concluded Asian Taekwondo Championships 2016 held at the Marriott Convention Centre Grand Ballroom in Pasay, Philippines. Both Seavmey and Puthearim were welcomed in a ceremony at Phnom Penh Pochentong Airport and the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, where NOCC President Dr. Thong Khon, general secretary Vath Chamroeun and other dignitaries spoke of the pride the duo had brought to the Kingdom on the international stage.

Seavmey, a gold-winning Asian Games medalist, captured her latest silverware in the Under 73-kg category, eventually losing in the final to South Korean Lee Da-bin. She had earlier defeated hometown favorite Elaine Alores in the Under-67kg category, a victory which secured her a spot at the impending Rio Summer Olympics 2016 in Brazil - a feat never before achieved on merit by a Cambodian athlete.

Chhoeun Puthearim meanwhile grabbed a spectacular bronze in the Under-53kg category, having been unable to overcome her Thai competitor Chanatip Sonkham in the semifinal. Unfortunately, for Puthearim, the result was not enough to be rewarded with a spot in the Olympics, although the signs for the future of Taekwondo in the Kingdom are good as it builds up to host the 2023 SEA Games. The Rio Olympics will get underway on August 5, with the city’s grand Maracana football stadium hosting the opening ceremony of the premier sporting competition.

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