Cambodian athletes at the 2012 London Olympics closing ceremony

Cambodian Olympians Vow To Do Their Best

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsrhbwJZa-c

Cambodian Olympians Vow To Do Their Best

Davin Sorn, who started taekwondo when she was 15 years old, said for the first two years she kept losing.

This year’s six athletes mark the largest showing since 1996.

Poch Reasey, VOA Khmer
03 August 2012

WASHINGTON DC - The six Cambodian athletes competing in the Summer Games this year in London say they realize the Olympics are the most competitive in the world, but they promised to do their best in their events.

Cambodians are competing in judo, swimming, taekwondo and athletics.

In a Skype interview with VOA Khmer, Davin Sorn, who started taekwondo when she was 15 years old, said for the first two years she kept losing.

Cambodia's flagbearer Davin Sorn at the London Olympics

Cambodia's flagbearer Davin Sorn holds the national flag as she leads the contingent in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. REUTERS/Mike Blake (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT OLYMPICS)

Cambodian team at the London Olympics Opening Ceremony

(Photos: Suon Chhayphorn on Facebook)

Southeast Asia's intriguing Olympians

Malaysian Olympian Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi, a heavily pregnant shooter, arrives in London in July, 2012, for Olympic ceremonies. (Lars Baron/AFP/Getty Images)

Cambodia considered sending Neko to the Olympics rather than Hem Bunting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xo8zFFx5Ax8

A pregnant shooter, a disqualified cat impressionist, a 4'11" female weightlifter

July 27, 2012
Patrick Winn
Global Post

London's 2012 Summer Olympics are unlikely to send many Southeast Asian athletes home with gold medals. That's the consensus from professional bookmakers as well as the Wall Street Journal, which has extensively analyzed each region's competitors.

But at least this year's crop of Southeast Asian Olympians isn't boring.

Malaysia: That woman to the right who appears ready to burst is Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi.

She's participating in the 10-meter air rifle competition. Eight months into her pregnancy, the naval officer "will easily be the most heavily pregnant athlete to have taken part" in the Olympics, according to the BBC. Undeterred by her squirming fetus -- a liability in marksmanship -- Suryani isn't favored to win a medal.

But how do you not root for a pregnant woman with a firearm?

Thailand: Pimsiri Sirikaew is not the sort of woman you find in Thai Airways ads: prim, gentle, an orchid in her hair. But Thai Airways stewardesses cannot lift weights heavier than two Sumatran tigers over their heads.

Watch for Sorn Davin bearing Cambodia's flag at the London Olympics this Friday

Sorn Davin will carry the Cambodian flag at this Friday's opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in London. Photograph: Ken Gadaffi/Phnom Penh Post

Sorn Davin named as Cambodian flagbearer for Olympic Games Opening Ceremony

Wednesday, 25 July 2012
Ken Gadaffi
The Phnom Penh Post

Taekwondo star Sorn Darvin will become Cambodia’s first female flag bearer at an Olympic Games when she leads the delegation at the opening ceremony of the London Games this Friday.

"Sorn Darvin will carry our flag. She was the most worthy candidate among all our athletes," said Vath Chamroeun, Secretary-General of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia.

The towering 25-year-old Phnom Penh native won a silver medal at the 2011 SEA Games in Indonesia and has wealth of experience in international competitions.

Having landed in London on June 14 and attending a five-week training course under top British taekwondo coach David Cook, Davin is set to compete in the women’s over-67kg event on August 11.

Mony Gunning for First Ever Cambodian Judo Medal at the London Olympics

Cambodia is sending just a handful of athletes to the London Olympics - one of them is a France based student who only secured his place last month after being offered a wild card to compete in the Judo competition.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=1752057356001

13-year-old has two fathers and an Olympics dream [-Way to go Jordan Pisey! Hope to see you wearing a gold medal in 2016!!!]

My dad holding me at the orphanage. The picture of him around my neck was brought by another family 3 months before my dad came. It was so I would know him when we met! (All Photos: http://www.jordanwindle.com)

My family picture! Dad, me, and Papi.

Diving synchro 3 meter springboard at the 2011 USA Diving Winter National Championships.

May. 31, 2012
Written by Neal Taflinger
IndyStar.com

Jordan Pisey Windle is used to being the center of attention.

He has been the focus of his father's life since the day in 2000 when Jerry Windle retrieved him from a Cambodian orphanage.

He has been turning heads for the past five years as a diving phenom, the youngest ever to qualify for the U.S. Olympic diving trials.

And all eyes will be on him June 9 when he serves as grand marshal for the Circle City IN Pride Parade, an annual celebration of Central Indiana's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

The young athlete's decision to accept the parade invitation -- and the fact that he has two fathers -- is sure to raise eyebrows. But what other people think isn't of concern to the 13-year-old. He views the world so unself-consciously that when asked if he ever gets tired of people questioning him about his origins and his family, he simply shrugged. "I've never actually thought about it."

Kosal Khiev to represent Cambodia as Cultural Olympiad in London 2012

Kosal Khiev, spoken word artist

Originally published at http://khmr.cn/kosal-khiev-cultural-olympiad

LOS ANGELES, CA - Spoken word artist Kosal Khiev has been chosen to represent Cambodia as a Cultural Olympiad in association with the London 2012 Olympic Games this summer, from July 27th through August 12th. During the Poetry Parnassus event, a gathering of 204 poets from around the globe, Khiev will be in the company of world-famous composers/performers of verse, including American former Poet Laureate Kay Ryan. The event will be the largest of its kind to have ever taken place, with poetry from a representative of each nation that is competing in the games.

In his role, Khiev will tour the United Kingdom, taking part in workshops and readings. Furthermore, according to The Guardian, he will contribute a poem in Khmer for a collection called "The World Record," which will be comprised of one piece from each of the poets in his or her nation's language. Khiev was overcome by emotion upon hearing the news of his selection. “I remember watching the last Olympics in my cell thinking, 'One day I want to be there, just to see a game.' Now, I am going to perform as a Cultural Olympiad. I am humbled and honored,” said Khiev.

Considering his status as a deportee and former United States resident, Khiev's journey has been a long one: born in a refugee camp after the Khmer Rouge regime, sent to juvenile detention in Alabama, and sentenced to 16 years in prison at age 16 for an attempted murder charge, all before being deported to Cambodia upon his release in 2011 (under the stricter immigration enforcement laws following 9/11). Khiev has admitted his poor choices as a teenager and now lives in Phnom Penh, performing and speaking about his experiences. He is an artist-in-residence at Studio Revolt, a new media lab, where he collaborated with co-founder Anida Yoeu Ali on a series of short films featuring his poetry.

"Kosal is our first and so far only artist-in-residence. We are invested in his success, and we believe he has a greater calling to the world," Yoeu Ali, who first heard him while traveling in Cambodia, told Khmerican. "I hadn't been moved that intensely by spoken word for a long time. I knew Kosal Khiev was someone very special to the world."

He is now developing an autobiographical documentary with Masahiro Sugano, also a co-founder of Studio Revolt. After returning from London, Khiev plans to take his voice to Siem Reap, Battambang, and other Cambodian audiences.

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Learn more at spokenkosal.com and studio-revolt.com.

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Olympics: Comedian Neko's hopes of competing at Olympics in doubt

Hiroshi Neko

April 13, 2012

PHNOM PENH (Kyodo) -- Comedian Hiroshi Neko's hopes of competing in the men's marathon at the London Olympics could be in jeopardy after the International Association of Athletics Federations raised doubts over his eligibility to represent Cambodia, sources close to the matter said Thursday.

The 34-year-old Neko, whose real name is Kuniaki Takizaki, was born in Japan and became a naturalized Cambodian citizen in late 2011 after competing in several international half-marathons there, which won him many fans throughout the country.

But the IAAF, the world ruling body for track and field, has from this year implemented new rules pertaining to athletes with new nationalities and no previous experience representing their adopted country in international competition.

One of the rules stipulates that in the event at least one year has not passed since the athlete gained nationality, the athlete must have continually resided in their adopted country, or be given special permission by the IAAF executive committee.

Chov Sotheara vies for ticket to London

Cambodian wrestler Chov Sotheara will aim for London at the Olympics Asian qualifying event in Kazakhstan this weekend. Photo by Ung Chamroeun

Wednesday, 28 March 2012
Yeun Ponlok , translated by In Sopheang
The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodia’s premier female wrestler, Chov Sotheara, flies out of the capital today ahead of her participation at the London Olympics Asian qualifiers in Astana, Kazakhstan.

The 27-year-old, who won gold at the 25th SEA Games in Laos, will be accompanied by her coach, Thin Vichet, and assistant coach Paek Su Nam, of South Korea, for the tournament, which runs from Friday to Sunday.

“I have much more confidence for the competition because I have trained very hard recently. I’m especially confident in the 48kg class, which is my preferred category,” Chov Sotheara said.

[Japanese Comedian Hiroshi] Neko to run for Cambodia in [Olympic] games

Washed-up Japanese comedian Neko Hiroshi ran in the Phnom Penh half-marathon. Somehow, he managed to defeat hundreds of other runners and finish in second place

Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Kyodo

PHNOM, Penh — Comedian Hiroshi Neko will represent Cambodia in the men's marathon at this year's Olympic Games in London, according to the secretary general of Cambodia's Olympic committee.

Vath Chamroeun said Cambodia has received official confirmation that track and field's ruling body, the International Association of Athletics Federation, has accepted Neko, 34.

"We are happy and congratulate Mr. Neko on being admitted for the Olympic Games. He deserves to be admitted for his tireless efforts and hard training on his own," Vath Chamroeun said.

Neko, who was born in Chiba Prefecture and whose real name is Kuniaki Takizaki, became a naturalized Cambodian citizen in late 2011 after competing in several international half-marathons in Cambodia, which won him many fans in the country.

Cambodian athletes return back home at the end of the Beijing Olympics

Cambodian athletes and trainers taking a picture with King Norodom Sihamoni (Photo: Cambodge Soir Hebdo)

26 August 2008
By Nhim Sophal
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the original article in French

Cambodia’s participation of the Beijing Olympics was very much appreciated in spite of the absence of medals. The efforts made by the Chinese hosts to welcome Khmer athletes were judged satisfactory.

Hem Thon, the swimming coach, indicated that the conditions for the preparation of the athletes were much better than those in previous games. The visit of King Sihamoni, who was visiting China, to the sport residence, was very appreciated. The royal family donated $600 to each athlete. Hem Thon reported about the king during his visit to the athlete residence: “The king was happy to meet the athletes during this world competition. He wished them great success and he also wished that they earn an important spot in this international arena.”

Cambodia which never won a single medal yet in any Olympic games, qualified 4 athletes to the competition: two swimmers and two runners. As for swimming, Hem Thon saluted the performance of Cambodian swimmers who are making rapid progress. Hem Thon Ponloeu broke his own record in the 50-m free-style swimming in 27.39 seconds, whereas the Thai swimmer made it in 28 seconds. Hem Thon Vitinin also broke her own record in the 100-m free-style swimming in 31.48 seconds, beating Thailand (32.14 seconds) and Japan (32.48 seconds). “The training method is the right one. With such a progress of the performances, we hope to win medals in 2011, during the SEA Games,” Hem Thon explained.

For his part, Hem Bunting –Cambodia’s best marathon runner who earned two medals during the last SEA Games in Thailand by beating his own personal records by 7 minutes – ended the Olympic marathon in 2:33 hours, about half an hour after the Kenyan Wansiru Samuel Kamau, the world champion. Bunting, who is participating the Olympics games for the first time, showed his perseverance and did not quit the race, unlike 25 other runners from developing countries. Hem Bunting placed himself 73 among the 76 runners who completed the marathon. “I cannot maintain the same performance as during the SEA Games because I have muscle problems in my foot. Furthermore, the trail in Beijing included 20 turns, this slowed me down and they worsened my muscle problem,” Hem Bunting said. Nevertheless, he acknowledged his defeat, but he considered it as an experience for his upcoming competitions. He also failed during his first participation at the SEA Games, before finally winning his two medals. Hem Bunting believed that the king was nevertheless satisfied with his performance.

In the future, Hem Bunting said that he will train intensely so that he can shine in the international arena.

Cambodian Olympians quietly depart for Beijing

Aug 6, 2008
DPA

Phnom Penh - Cambodia's handful of Olympians departed for Beijing Wednesday with no fanfare, few hopes, but lots of Olympic spirit and hopes of seeing some of the world for the first time.

Cambodia is fielding two swimmers, a sprinter and a marathon runner, none of whom claim hopes of medals, but all of whom are proud to represent Cambodia, which is duly proud of them.

It has been a mixed journey for the four athletes.

For instance marathon runner Hem Bunting, 23, who changed from football to running only five years ago because his mother thought football was too dangerous, nearly boycotted the games last month when he found himself too broke to buy shoes.

National Olympic Committee President and Tourism Minister Thong Khon dipped into his own pocket to keep Bunting on track.

At least one Cambodian swimmer who dropped out before she could be ranked gave the reason for her retirement as the poor quality of the water in the nation's threadbare Olympic Stadium swimming pool in the capital, which her mother said gave her hives.

Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Zhang Jinfeng welcomed the team off from Phnom Penh International Airport Wednesday, wishing them luck, but otherwise, their subdued departure went almost unnoticed.

1st group of Cambodian delegation leaves for Beijing

PHNOM PENH, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The first group of Cambodia's Olympic delegation left here on Wednesday for Beijing to attend the Olympic Games, which is scheduled to open on Friday.

The group of delegation has eight members, including a marathon runner, a sprinter and their coach, one swimmer and the coach, one team leader, an official and one doctor.

Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Zhang Jinfeng, who went to the Phnom Penh International Airport to see the delegation off, praised their morale and wished them success.

In addition, a reporter from local Chinese newspaper the Cambodia Sin Chew daily also went with the delegation on Wednesday to cover the Beijing Olympics.

Other delegation members, including Tourism Minister and National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) president Thong Khon, NOCC secretary general Mea Sarun, another swimmer, an official and two youths attending the Olympic Summer Camp, will depart to Beijing on Thursday.

Cambodia first attended the Olympics in 1959, then quit for a long time due to civil war. It resumed its participation in 1996 to attend the Atlanta Olympics and later sent delegations to the Sydney Games in 2000 and the Athens Games in 2004.

Olympic Near-Hopefuls Set for Beijing

Later this week, Cambodia's four Olympic hopefuls will see Beijing's National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, for themselves.

By Ros Sothea, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
05 August 2008

After training every day for two months, Cambodia's Olympiads are set to travel to Beijing to compete in the 2008 Summer Games, even if they hold little hope of bringing home the gold.

An excited, smiling Hem Thun Vitiny, an 18-year-old freestyle swimmer, was jogging early Tuesday to strengthen her muscles.

"I have never attended such kind of big Olympic game," she said later. "I hope that I can improve my performance, [but I] don't hope to win medal."

Later this week, she will join her uncle, butterfly swimmer Hem Thun Ponleu, along with marathoner Hem Bunting, no relation, and track sprinter Sou Thet Linda, in Beijing.

Hem Bunting, who claimed that he was ready to contest with other athletes from around the world, said he had little hope to win the medal because he had not been able to train properly.

"I don't dare to hope much because [the competitors] had a lot of training with enough equipment," he said Tuesday. "For us, we don't even have a proper training place and no equipment to train."

Cambodia was allowed to send the four athletes to join only two events, swimming and track, among 40 possible events.

The two swimmers will compete Aug. 14 and 15, while the two runners will compete Aug. 16 and 24.

"Our training was short, and there was a lot of rain in our country," Olympic coach Chay Kimsan said. "So we just hope to get ourselves some improvement."

Meas Sarin, secretary-general of the Cambodia Olympic National Committee, agreed.

"The result will not come up like what our people want because we are still very low and weak," he said.