Cambodia won four gold medals in the bokator performance event at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Phnom Penh on Thursday.
Ponleu Pichmorakot won a gold for the host nation in the male spirit form single event, while Mao Leakena won another in the female spirit form single event.
Kim Tithsovatanak secured a gold medal in the male bamboo shield form single event, and Yuos Sanhchana won gold in the female barehand form single event.
Ponleu Pichmorakot won the gold medal in the men's spirit form single event, scoring eight points. They defeated Indonesia's Alfadhila Ramadhan and Aji Maulana (7.23 points) and Myanmar's Hlaing Chit Oo and Naing Lin Tun (7.23 points).
Mao Leakena won the gold medal in the women's spirit form single event, scoring 8.75 points. She defeated the Philippines by 8.33 points and Myanmar by 8.24 points.
Kim Tithsovatanak won the gold medal in the men's bamboo shield form single event, scoring 8.25 points. He defeated Philippines’s Mark James by 7.75 points and Indonesia's Gema Nur Arifin 7.67 points.
Yuos Sanhchana won the gold medal in the female barehand form single event. scoring 7.75 points. She defeated Philippines’s Rhichein Yosorez. by 7.33 points and Laos’ Somvang Maneeseng 6.92 points.
The bokator performance event is a new addition to the SEA Games program this year. It is a form of martial arts that originated in Cambodia and is characterized by its acrobatic and dynamic movements.
The Cambodian athletes' performance in the bokator performance event was a major success for the host nation. It is a testament to the country's rich martial arts heritage and the talent of its athletes.
The bokator competition was held at the Chroy Changva Center in Phnom Penh.
Bokator and Khmer Martial Arts have been officially enshrined in the Charter of the Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF), which will allow Cambodia to host both sports in the next SEA Games in the host country. This was announced by Vath Chamroeun, Secretary General of the Cambodian SEA Games Organizing Committee (CAMSOC).
