Cambodian bodybuilders train and prepare locally ahead of 2021 SEA Games

Cambodian bodybuilders train and prepare locally ahead of 2021 SEA Games

Cambodian bodybuilders are training locally ahead of the 2021 Southeast Asian Games.

Sok Vannak, secretary-general of Cambodia Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (CBFF), said they are planning to send four of their bodybuilders to the next SEA Games.

The 2021 SEA Games was originally scheduled to be held in Hanoi, Vietnam from November 21 to December 2. But the schedule could be moved to another date after Vietnam conceded that it would be ‘impossible’ for them to hold it according to the original plan and schedule due to the COVID-pandemic.

The latest community outbreak in Vietnam affected many areas, including several venues for the 2021 SEA Games, according to Vietnamese media reports.

A final decision on the schedule will be released anytime soon, according to the Cambodian SEA Games Organizing Committee.

According to Vannak, two of the bodybuilders are training at their own clubs, while others are training at a public club. “The pandemic prevented them from training together,” he pointed out.

Bodybuilding has been identified as one of the sports where Cambodia has a good chance of winning medals in the 2021 SEA Games and similar competitions.

It was pointed out that Cambodia excelled on the international stage, despite limited resources and funding.

Notable achievements for the CBFF include the recognition of SAMBO Nan and SAMBO Sophon as World Champions and gold medalists in 2017 and 2019, respectively.

Sok Sopheak, Cambodia’s most successful bodybuilder, placed second in the 2013 Asian Bodybuilding Championships and fourth at the 2013 SEA Games in Myanmar.

The CBBFF also hosted the 15th Southeast Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships in Siem Reap in July 2018, in which Team Cambodia won four gold, three silver and two bronze medals.

But other factors could hinder the CBFF’s SEA Games campaign this time.

The CBFF was plagued by turmoil recently after a disputed election unseated erstwhile president Rasmey Sokmongkol. Sokmongkol, who has led the organisation since 2011, was replaced by Tek Bunvy.

Bunvy previously served as the secretary-general of CBFF. He is also one of Cambodia’s most successful and well-known bodybuilders. Khmer Times