Cambodian Fencer Hai Srey Sros Heads to Indonesia Open to Sharpen Her Edge for SEA Games Glory
Phnom Penh, Cambodia – October 3, 2025
Rising Cambodian fencing star Hai Srey Sros is set to test her skills on the international stage once again, as she travels to Aceh, Indonesia, to compete in the Indonesia Open Fencing Championship from October 3 to 5, 2025.
The national team fencer, who specializes in the short sword discipline, has been selected to represent Cambodia ahead of the upcoming 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand, scheduled for December. Her participation in Aceh serves as a vital tune-up a test of form, technique, and focus before one of the most significant events of her career.
“Competition is everything to me,” said Srey Sros with visible determination. “Every bout, every opponent teaches you something new. My goal this year isn’t just personal it’s national. I want to represent Cambodia at my best. This tournament will help me learn from top athletes, understand my weaknesses, and refine my strategy before the SEA Games.”
The opportunity, she added, came unexpectedly. Thanks to support from the Indonesia Fencing Federation and the guidance of Mr. Sok Ang, Secretary-General of the Cambodia Fencing Federation, her participation was made possible despite financial challenges.
“I’m deeply grateful to Mr. Sok Ang for giving me this chance,” Srey Sros said. “This experience will not only test my abilities but also expand my understanding of international fencing styles.”
While her journey to Indonesia wasn’t part of the federation’s original plan, officials saw it as a golden opportunity to expose their athletes to higher levels of competition and technical assessment.
According to Secretary-General Sok Ang, the federation continues to face financial hurdles, with limited public and private support. “Our sport doesn’t receive widespread backing yet,” he explained. “Beyond the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport’s annual budget of around 60 million riel, our resources are extremely limited. We rely heavily on savings, training fees, and self-generated income to sustain administration, promotion, and athlete development.”
Despite these constraints, the federation is moving with renewed vision under its sixth mandate, focusing on developing both male and female athletes while intertwining Fencing with tourism and social development. This initiative aligns closely with the Cambodian government’s Pentagonal Strategy, particularly the theme “One Youth, One Sport for Life.”
To bring this vision to life, the federation plans to collaborate with provincial departments of education, youth, and sports to promote Fencing nationwide and identify talented young athletes.
" Fencing is not just a martial art, it’s a bridge between sport, culture, and national pride,” Sok Ang emphasized. “We hope to attract more support from partners who share our belief that Cambodian fencing can one day stand tall on the international stage.”
As she prepares to step onto the piste in Aceh, Srey Sros carries the hopes of a nation that is steadily carving its place in the world of martial arts. Her blade, honed through discipline and adversity, reflects not only her ambition but the fighting spirit of Cambodian sport itself sharp, graceful, and unyielding.
— By Chor Sereymorakot
