The 2nd GUNZE SPORTS Hem Thon Championship held in June

The SEA Games is the “Southeast Asian Olympics”

For those living in Japan, the Olympics which is held every 4 years, is the sports competition that brings the country together. On the other hand in Cambodia the Olympics often go by without much fanfare. In the global arena it’s difficult for Cambodian athletes to attain high scores and it’s hard to keep the nation interested. So we want to bring attention to what is often called the “Olympics of Southeast Asia”, the SEA Games!
Officially named the Southeast Asian Games, this is an international sports competition held once every 2 years. The competition between countries is fierce, and there are a lot of expectations for Cambodia. Past games including those in 2015 shows Cambodia winning multiple medals and placing in the top ranks. This event is sponsored by the South East Asian Sports Federation (SEASF). These games started in 1959 with 6 participating countries with the goal of encouraging the Olympic movement and for friendship, understanding, and peace in Southeast Asia. Cambodia star ted participating in 1961 entering the 2nd event held since the founding. It has also been decided Cambodia will
host the 2023 SEA Games.

The 29th SEA Games will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from August 19th to the 30th. This year, 179 athletes from Cambodia plan to compete in 24 out of 38 competitions. (*Announced by the Cambodian Olympic Committee on July 16th)

Former competitive swimmer, Ms. IKUYAMA Saki, has been coaching Cambodia’s national swimming team and
youth team since 2016. Going back 50 years, there was a swimming teacher named Mr. NAKAMURA Masahiko, who came to Cambodia in January 1966. He was one of the first members of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers.
Mr. Nakamura’s former student and competitive swimmer, Mr. HEM Thon, continued to train swimmers in the 1980s following the civil war. He started a swimming league and began training swimmers and when no one was available he trained his own children. Before Mr. Hem’s death on January 12th 2015, his last wish was for another
swimming teacher to be sent from Japan. His wish was granted and another coach was dispatched from the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, this was Ms. Ikuyama. She arrived in Cambodia on the exact one year anniversary of Mr. Hem’s death. Feeling Mr. Hem and Mr. Nakamura watching from heaven, she has continued to give her all coaching in Cambodia. Ms. Ikuyama uses her own athletic experience to plan her training. First, trainees swim 5 to 7 kilometers each time, then move to term of imposing a load on the body. The trainees give their all while swimming to overcome this tough training. They practice racing, then when it is close to the race, regulate appropriately. Trainees experience rigorous practice, but in a short time these Cambodian swimmers really improve their skills, and
breaking their records. Mr. Hem’s son, Ponloue and his grand daughter, Vitiny will also participate in this year’s SEA Games in a group of 7 male and female swimmers. They will go even farther than former coaches and athletes. They are going for the gold.

From the left, Sopha, Chanthol, Ponloue, the coach, Vitiny, Voleak, Koeuodom and Pirort. All of these swimmers will compete in the SEA games. Voleak is the youngest at 15 years old. She will compete in the 50, 100, 200, meter breaststroke. She is looking forward to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the Cambodian hosted SEA Games in 2023.