The 5th Western Cup kicks off with Under 18
Phnom Penh, 20 March 2026
A total of 32 fencers under the age of 18, including 11 girls from 5 clubs, competed on the first day of the 5th Western Cup 2026. The Western Cup was first organized in 2018, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was not organized for 3 years.
The purpose of organizing this competition is to focus on three factors: 1. To promote the sport of fencing through the reputation of Western International School and Western University. With gratitude and respect for His Excellency President Te Laurent and to promote the sports activities of Western International School and Western University, the executive members decided to create a competition under the name “Western Cup”. 2. Integrate fencing sport into public and private educational institutions and fencing training programs, starting with Western International School and Western University. In other words, both public and private educational institutions are a vast repository of each type of sport to advance to international success. At the same time, Fencing is a combat and strategic sport that requires high discipline, intelligence, endurance, agility, and high responsibility for both oneself and team members. 3. Increase the number of domestic competitions to attract and motivate Cambodian fencers, especially by allowing all expats who live in Cambodia and foreign fencers to participate. From its establishment in 2006 until it was recognized by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports in 2013, the federation organized only one domestic competition at the end of 2006. After recognition from the ministry, FFC also received funding support from the ministry. It began organizing competitions once a year. In addition, traveling abroad to join the international competition is the responsibility of FFC and fencers, cause the high cost of participating with a small member of the team. Therefore, the executive board decided to increase the number of competitions with two basic conditions: 1. Focus on grassroots and educational institutions, and 2. Allow expats and foreign fencers to participate, but they must be responsible for their own travel, accommodation, and meals.
The Western Cup has changed from time to time. The first three times, the number of participants increased from approximately 35 to 80, and the fourth and fifth times, there were some expats and foreign fencers participate. For example, this year, we have teams from Vietnam and the Philippines for the competition. Last but not least, we have organized the competition from 2 events and 1 age category to 3 age categories and 16 events.
March 20, 2026, the competition for the under-18 team began with the discovery of four gold medalists, including former 4th Western gold medalist, IN Sakan Chesda, in the Men’s Foil Individual; Reun Chantola, who won a new gold medal with incredible progress; Vorn Mei Yei, who fought with Sreng Sonita from Koh Dach in the women’s epee Individual; and last Gold is went to Mei Yi again, while Ashley Harrison, the 4th Western Cup gold medalist absent. At the same time, the gold medalist for the men’s saber individual Open category in the open age group went to Chong Chamreun from the Ministry of Interior.
Mr. Sok Ang, Secretary General of FFC, said that although the number of athletes under 18 years old has decreased this year, their performance has improved, and new fencers have joined as well. In meanwhile, we continue to have expats and foreign fencers to join. It is a sign that Cambodian kung fu is becoming more popular abroad.
Mr. Roeun Makara, coach of Hosanna School for Cambodia Children and also a National Referee, said that currently his club has approximately 105 players from grades 4 to 9, but most of them live in poverty and cannot afford to buy fencing equipment and pay the entry fee. Therefore, this year, only 22 players registered for the 5th Western Cup. He hopes that FFC and donor will continue to provide support on equipment and funds to the club, and expects the full team will be in the events.
