Three of Cambodia’s top mixed martial arts (MMA) representatives say they are channelling the spirit of the kingdom’s armed forces as they prepare for a tournament in Vietnam.
Kuromak Chanreach, Rin Saroth and Athchey Chanreach have all declared their intention to claim victory as a way of paying tribute to the sacrifices made by the Cambodian soldiers on the front lines.
The three Cambodian Top Team fighters will take part in two title fights and an international friendly at the Gods of Martial Arts (GMA) event in Vietnam, scheduled for the night of December 27.
The three fighters and their coaches departed by bus this morning, pledging to bring victories back to the nation, its hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians and the soldiers who are defending the border.
“All three of us feel the same pain because we can clearly see that our country is facing severe aggression and has not yet gained peace. Cambodia needs peace. We ask the world to help Cambodia regain peace,” Chanreach told the media.
“This competition is to bring honour to our country. I will try my utmost to win the championship belt and bring it back for our parents, brothers and sisters, the displaced people, and especially our heroic frontline soldiers and those who have sacrificed their lives to protect our land. We will fight with everything we have,” he added.
Young rising star Pheng Sopanha (known as Kuromak Chanreach) will compete for the GMA championship belt against Vietnamese fighter Bui Truong Sinh in the main bout. Meanwhile, Rin Saroth will fight for a belt against Vietnam’s Nguyen Vu Phuong Hoai.
“We sincerely thank our people who have contributed supplies, food and funds to support the frontline soldiers and displaced civilians, as Thai forces continue shelling and dropping explosives, forcing our people to flee their homes and families,” noted Saroth, who often participates in fundraising and donation drives for displaced people and frontline troops.
He added that he is fully prepared.
“I have trained hard, focusing on grappling, stand-up fighting and building strength. When you fight a home fighter, if the result is close they will raise the home fighter’s hand. So in this five-round fight I must win decisively. At 63kg, this is my natural weight, so I am very confident,” he said.
Meanwhile, Athchey Chanreach, who will take part in an international friendly against Vietnam’s Le Quang Linh, expressed his personal connection to the Kingdom’s pain. His parents and siblings are all been displaced by the brutal attacks on Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity by Thai troops since December 7.
“My parents and family are all at the border areas, in Ta Mern and O’Smach. I didn’t feel much like training at first, but now I have regained my motivation after seeing how hard our heroic soldiers are working to protect us. That’s why we are determined to fight for victory, to give them strength and encouragement in return,” he explained.
