Boisterous crowds packed TV5’s Borei Keila arena Saturday and Sunday for the finals of this year’s national team selection. Fifty-six fighters in seven weight classes and two divisions were to be ranked in three classes.
Fourteen fighters won first-class rank, seven each in the Khmer kickboxing and Western-style boxing divisions.
In Sunday’s final match at 60 kg, Long Vanthan of Phnom Penh’s Sala Vorn kickboxing club beat Raev Virak of Koh Kong club by judges’ decision after five rounds.
Veteran fighter Pich Bunthoeun of Battambang Ponleu Samakki club continued his winning streak, beating Beuth Samkhan of Sala Vorn club in round two to take first class at 54 kg.
Long Kimsen of Sala Vorn club took first place at 57 kg after his scheduled opponent, Sao Bunnoeun of Dambang Kranhoung Meanrith, withdrew due to a six-stitch wound over his eye from a fight on Friday.
Also Sunday, Loek Bunrath of RCAF club beat Yon Samnang of Battambang club at 51 kg, and Virak Chon of the Brigade 70 club beat Chea Vannak of Kompong Speu club at 48 kg.
First-class kickboxing winners from Saturday’s finals were My Chhong Dann of Singha Keila club at 67 kg and Thon Sophea of the RCAF club at 63 kg.
First-class winners in Western-style boxing were Hin Sai Heng, 67 kg, Interior Ministry club; Sam Sokunthea, 60 kg, Special Military Region club; Troeung Soh Vannak, 57 kg, Special Military Region club; Math Sophat, 54 kg, Artillery club; Roeung Saroth, 51 kg, Tor Meas club and Ven Diyamong, 48 kg, Military Police Club.
There were no serious injuries in the week’s fights, ringside doctor Chhoeung Yavyen said. Two-hundred thirty-one Khmer-style kickboxers and 79 Western-style boxers fought in the seven-day tournament.
