As one of the first sports scheduled to compete at the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Bahrain, the Cambodian Pencak Silat team is determined to secure early medals. Their goal is to boost national morale and pave the way for Cambodia’s other athletes to overcome challenges and continue winning medals for the country.
Coach Vy Tara acknowledged that athletes Phouk Daniel and Det Sreyyal are both young and inexperienced, but their efforts, combined with guidance from local coaches and especially support from an Indonesian expert, have significantly improved their abilities and confidence — enough to contend for medals for the nation.
“After three months of training — particularly in the recent weeks with a coach from Indonesia, the birthplace of Pencak Silat — I’ve seen our athletes improve in both quality and technique. So, we hope we can a chieve medal results at some level,” he said.
The team will depart Cambodia on October 15 for Manama, Bahrain. The Pencak Silat competitions will take place from October 19 to 20, with just four weight categories being contested.
Tara noted that the strongest medal contenders are hosts Bahrain, followed by ASEAN countries such as Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia. He added that Thailand is also a serious and tense rival.
He addressed a possible matchup with Thai athletes at the games.
“Our athletes are fully prepared to compete with athletes from all countries, but if we face Thailand, we cannot afford to lose. Our athletes are determined to give their all to secure victory,” he noted.
In their first-ever appearance at the Asian Youth Games, Cambodia’s Pencak Silat team is highly motivated to win early medals. This would encourage and open the way for Cambodia’s other 12 sports competing later — from October 22 to 31 — including swimming, athletics, badminton, basketball (3×3), judo, jiu-jitsu, mixed martial arts, table tennis, taekwondo (WT), wrestling, weightlifting, table football and Kun Khmer.
“Our determination is to try our utmost to win medals for the nation first because we are competing first. We need to pave the way by bringing home medals. Even though we trained later than others, we trained as hard as we could and prepared well. For that reason, I am 60% to 70% confident that we can win medals,” said Tara.
Athlete Det Sreyyal, who will compete in the 51 kg and 55 kg categories, acknowledged that she has never competed in Pencak Silat before. However, after three months of intense training, she is confident in her abilities.
“This is my first time competing in Pencak Silat, but I’m not afraid because I’m determined to win and bring back a medal. My target is a silver or bronze medal — I’m not thinking about gold yet. My goal is set high because I’ve trained very hard,” she said.
Athlete Phouk Daniel, who will also compete in the 51 kg and 55 kg categories ,echoed her thoughts.
“This is my first time competing abroad. I have prepared myself mentally and physically and will do my best to win a medal for the country. For now, I expect a 50% to 60%. I only started training three months ago, so I still feel somewhat nervous,” he added.
