Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Cambodia’s national fencing team is significantly stepping up its training regimen as athletes prepare to compete for medals at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 2025) in Thailand. This intensive preparation was recently confirmed by Mr. Din Sophal, the head coach of the Cambodian Fencing Federation.
Coach Sophal is providing comprehensive support to his athletes, focusing on both their physical conditioning and mental resilience. Crucially, he is implementing new strategic approaches designed to give the Cambodian fencers a competitive edge. The primary objective behind this enhanced training is to secure medals in fencing at the upcoming regional multi-sport event scheduled for 2025.
These statements from Coach Sophal were made following the opening ceremony of a vital workshop on discipline and ethical conduct for Cambodian delegates and athletes. The workshop, held on November 1st at the National Training Center, served as a crucial part of the preparatory phase for the 33rd SEA Games.
“Our athletes are training exceptionally hard, and they have committed to significantly more training hours than before as we approach the SEA Games,” Coach Sophal emphasized during the workshop. “We are providing them with everything they need – physical strength, mental fortitude, and especially new, refined strategies – to ensure they achieve success during the competition.”
The Cambodian team’s preparations are unfolding against a backdrop of some athletes expressing concerns about competing in the 33rd SEA Games. These worries stem from past border disputes between Cambodia and Thailand. Addressing these sentiments directly, Coach Sophal affirmed that he has spoken with the fencing team, guiding them to overcome any fear and transform their anxieties into courage. He urged them to compete with their utmost ability to bring honor and recognition to Cambodia. Furthermore, Mr. Din Sophal has advised his fencers to exercise heightened caution during their travels to and from Thailand, ensuring their safety throughout the entire journey.
It is noteworthy that delegates, coaches, and athletes from twelve different sports participated in the aforementioned discipline and ethics workshop. These sports included Athletics, Swimming, Equestrian, Fencing, Jiu-Jitsu, Table Football, Esports, Jet Ski, Gymnastics, Kickboxing, Triathlon, and Taekwondo.
Conversely, several other sports have regrettably withdrawn from the competition due to safety and security concerns. This decision was primarily influenced by severe flooding in Thailand’s Songkhla province, which posed significant risks. The sports that have pulled out include Judo, Karate, Pencak Silat, Petanque, Boxing, Wushu, Football, and Sepak Takraw.
