Cambodian Youth Fencing Team Fails to Win Medals, Determined to Strengthen Skills for Final Tournament in Vietnam
Phnom Penh, 11 August 2026
The Cambodian fencing delegation returned home on the afternoon of August 11, 2026, after concluding their mission at the Southeast Asian Minime Junior and Cadet Fencing Championship without securing any medals for the nation.
The event was divided into three age categories:
- August 6–8, 2026: Minime (U14)
- August 9–11, 2026: Junior (U17)
- August 12–14, 2026: Cadet (U20)
Cambodia entered fencers only in the Minime and Junior categories. Among them, In Sakan Chesda, Phat Lyka, and Meng Lyheng performed best by advancing past the pool stage, while the remaining members were eliminated in the group phase.
Although the participation aimed to gain international experience, the official results fell short of expectations. Fencing coach Lean Moses stated:
"Even though this event was the lowest level among official international competitions and we expected to bring home at least a bronze medal, seeing their rankings and performance was truly hard to accept. I know this result wasn't due to a lack of training, as they performed well during practice with discipline and dedication. However, for a combat and strategic sport like this, actual competition experience is vital to learning an opponent's tactics and making the right technical decisions under pressure."
To turn this defeat into a valuable lesson upon returning home, Mr. Lean Moses and his assistant coaches will meet to adjust the training program, focusing heavily on sharpening technique and combat tactics. This rigorous preparation aims to eliminate weaknesses ahead of the final tournament of 2026, scheduled to take place in Vietnam this coming October.
Another major factor impacting the fencers' morale was that all participants had to cover their own expenses for travel, accommodation, meals, and entry fees. Even national team members had to rely on their allowances and personal savings. The federation currently lacks private-sector sponsorship and can only assist with official documentation. Additionally, fencing equipment for each athlete costs an average of $1,500 USD.
Sok Ang, a senior federation official, noted that the 2026–2027 season marks the points-accumulation phase for Olympic qualification. Consequently, the federation requires approximately $100,000 USD to send fencers to various competitions this season—an annual budget needed to execute their plans fully.
