Cambodia added to its SEA Games tally with two more silver medals in petanque on Monday, remaining eighth out of 10 countries on the overall leaderboard for the regional competition in Singapore.
Thong Chhouen and Un Sreya both lost their finals in the game—also known as boules—13-6 and 13-8, respectively.
Mr. Chhoeun was beaten by Malaysia’s Muhd Hafizuddin Mat Daud in the men’s singles, while Ms. Sreya lost to Thailand’s Nantawan Fueangsanit in the women’s singles.
Ros Salin, a spokesman for the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, said the country’s petanque successes could be French influence, as well as Cambodians’ natural flair for crafting goods by hand.
“There are two reasons: First, petanque is originally from France and France colonized Cambodia. Second, we have the art of using our hands, for example carving and pottery,” he said.
Cambodia has so far won six medals in this year’s SEA Games: one gold, three silver and two bronze.
