Cambodia win first gold, thanks to chinlone
Cambodia won their first gold medal of this South-east Asia (SEA) Games after defeating Laos 308-299 in the sepak takraw chinlone-linking event at Expo Hall 1 yesterday.
The Cambodians did not compete in this event at the 2013 Games in Naypyidaw. Then, they won only two silvers and one bronze in this sport.
Clearly, they have improved.
After performing victory laps around the hall, an ecstatic Sokphearom Ream told The New Paper: "This is an amazing feeling. It's our first time in Singapore, and to be able to win this gold medal, this is the best memory we'll bring home."
"We didn't enter this event at the last Games, but we thought we'd just give it a try and do our best."
The sport originates from Myanmar, whose absence from this event gives the rest better medal-winning opportunities.
Cambodia topped the group in the preliminary round in the morning, scoring 318 points, with Laos in second spot with 289 points.
Malaysia and hosts Singapore had to settle for joint-bronze medals with 208 and 112, respectively.
In the battle for gold, Laos paid the penalty for a lapse in concentration in the dying minutes of the first set, which the Cambodians won 152-145.
Cambodia never took their foot off the pedal after that, taking the second set 156-154 and claiming victory.
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