Seven Cambodian Kun Khmer athletes have a shot at qualifying for the quarterfinals tonight, October 24, at the 3rd Asian Youth Games 2025, taking place in Manama, Bahrain.
Unfortunately, the kingdom’s mixed martial arts (MMA) team has already been eliminated, and the country’s basketball and athletics representatives also struggled in their events.
During last night’s bouts, five Kun Khmer fighters won their bouts, with just loss marring their otherwise perfect record, when Ly Sreynuch lost to Thailand’s Khwanpitch Chinno in the women’s under-45kg division.
In contrast, Chhong Visal decisively beat Thai fighter Suphak Chanthachaem, earning a unanimous 3–0 decision with scores of 10–9, 10–9, and 10–9.
In the under-54kg match, Visal also managed to force a referee count in the first round. This was only a round of 32 bout, meaning he must still advance through the Round of 16 and quarterfinals to secure a medal. Tonight, he will face Lebanon’s Khodor Bahaa Din in the Round of 16, with the winner moving on to the quarterfinals.
Four of Visal’s compatriots also advanced after victories in the Round of 16.
Khun Dimey (under-57kg) defeated Martin James Fernando of the Philippines by split decision (2–1) with total scores of 29–28. Hem Mangsrun (under-60kg) beat Sheng Qian of China by unanimous decision (3–0) with scores of 30–27. Vuthy Chanthon (under-45kg) overcame Bahrain’s Sayed Alawi Abdulla by split decision (2–1) with scores of 29–28. Thorn Chanthou (under-51kg) was awarded a walkover win against Thailand’s Sirawich Poomithaworn, who withdrew due to health issues.
They will all fight in tonight’s quarterfinals.
They will be joined by three of their teammates, who all recieved automatic entry to the quarterfinals. Winners of these matches will automatically earn at least a bronze medal by advancing to the semifinals.
In tonights matches, Phon Sarapich will meet Abdullah Osamah Hus (Iraq), Sai Sophea will take on Mia Nur Al Aman Nas (Malaysia), Om Sreypenh will face Hananeh Taghipoorheid (Iran) and Vuthy Chanthon will try to get past Abduvaliel Doston (Uzbekistan).
They will be joined by Thorn Chanthou, fighting Jafari Esmaeil Erzhanovich (Iran), and Hem Mangsrun, who will meet Ahmad Rayan (Jordan).
The MMA team had a poor showing, with all four athletes were eliminated in Thursday night’s qualifying rounds.
Khorn Vichetchantra lost to Charlie Ratcliff (Philippines) in the women’s 45kg quarterfinals, Tep Sreynich (under-55kg), who had automatically advanced to the quarterfinals, was submitted by Japan’s Atsuhi Takada mid-bout, Ry Keosomnang (men’s 55kg) was also submitted, by Indonesia’s Himara Bumi Magani Abraar, while Sok Devit lost by decision to Sharifov Umar (Tajikistan) in the men’s 50kg division.
The 3×3 basketball team also fared poorly in Pool C, losing to Qatar (21–7), beating Maldives (19–15) and falling to Thailand (21–15). The team will face Palestine and Uzbekistan next, on October 25.
In athletics, sprinter Reth Rayuth was eliminated in the 100m heats, finishing eighth in his group, with a time of 12.21 seconds.
