Cambodia has won six medals in an international martial arts competition this week.

According to the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC), bokator athletes picked up three gold, two silver and one bronze medals in the 2021 International Martial Arts Contest (IMAC).

Cambodia finished third overall after South Korea and the Philippines. South Korean athletes bagged a total of 40 medals, while the Filipino team snagged another 20 medals, according to the final results published in the World Martial Arts Union (WoMAU) website. 

WoMau was the main organiser of the tournament, which was intended to be a ‘celebration for martial arts’.

Established in 2002, WoMAU seeks to foster peace and justice through martial arts. WoMAU, which is headquartered in South Korea, counts 67 organisations from 46 countries as members.

More than 200 athletes from 12 countries participated in this year’s edition of IMAC, which was held online on October 31 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The other participants include Laos, Egypt, Ghana, Malaysia, Iran, Vietnam and Singapore.

Yuos Sanchana topped the Bare Hand Single Female Category, while the combination of Thuon Narak and Von Sok Srey Piseth won another gold medal in the Bare Hand Mixed Gender Duo Division. 

Cambodia outpointed the Philippines and Uzbekistan to win its third gold medal in the Team Mixed Gender Group Category. The Cambodian team was composed of Phirum Monirothn, Kim Tith Sovathanak, Run Salith, Ponleu Pech Morakot, Prum Penh Pisal, Chhean Vanrith, Ouk Ritheany and Sanchana.

Pech Ponleu and the combination of Sin Seav Sean and Ey Samun won silver medals in the Bare Hand Male Single Category and Weapon Mixed Gender Duo Category, respectively.

NOCC Secretary-General Vath Chamroeun, who is also the secretary-general of Cambodia Bokator Federation, said their athletes’ performance brought honour to the Kingdom.

“This also helps promote Bokator to the outside world. We have always been pushing for greater international recognition for the sport,” he stressed.

Bokator is an ancient Khmer combat sport. The Kingdom is actively promoting the sport to the outside world.