Khmer Athletes Participation in the Asian Under 23 Fencing Championship aimed for the Asia Game 2026
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 22 October 2025
Under the direction and approval from the Ministry of Education Youth and Sport, the Fencing Federation of Cambodia (FFC), Mr. Sok Ang has led 4 female athletes to participate in the Asian under 23 Fencing Championship. This participation includes, Miss Pen Narita, former bronze medalist of the 32nd Sea Game, which Cambodia was the host, Miss Chor sister, Chor Sereymorakot and Chor Sereymunita and lastly Miss Sovann Sandra who is the épée fencer.
The 2025 Asian Under-23 Fencing Championships are taking place from October 21 to 26, 2025, at the Malaysian Olympic Committee Hall in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The event gathers a total of 191 athletes, including 77 female athletes, representing 16 countries from Asia and 2 countries from Oceania.
Although Cambodia has sent four female athletes to participate in this year’s competition, their involvement is not directly linked to preparations for the upcoming 33rd Southeast Asian Games 2025 in Thailand. Instead, it forms part of a long-term development plan aimed toward the 2026 Asian Games, which will be held in Japan. Sereymunita, the newbie fencer, said that, “Being able to compete in the Asian Under 23 Fencing Championship in Malaysia is a great opportunity for them to test their abilities and improve more for the next competition. It's like a step that builds them up in confidence and a chance to learn and improve from their mistakes. Overall, having to socialize and connect with other fencing from around the world is extremely beneficial for them to learn more about fencing, not just within their nation and regional competition but from all across the world where the fencer fence in different styles and techniques.”
Narita, the former 32nd SEA Games Medalist, added that this is my second time for international competition after one and half year from SEA Games. It took me too long to come back to the stage for another target. I need more competition and coach to sharp my skill for next year. Meanwhile, financial support is also the 2nd biggest challenge for me and my team to reach our goal. So, every moment, every chance of international competition is the worse value opportunity. I will give all my “power” to get the best result.
As part of this strategy, the FFC has established a structured training and selection plan, dividing athletes into six teams — three men’s teams and three women’s teams — to compete for placement and selection in next year’s continental-level events. Each team is required not only to engage in rigorous technical training and set clear objectives but also to collaborate closely with the federation in seeking sponsors to support both training and international competition opportunities.
Notably, the women’s sabre team representing Cambodia at the Asian U-23 Fencing Championship 2025 received sponsorship from The AirAsia and the Legend Cinema, facilitated through fencer Chor Sereymorakot.
— Sovann Sandra
