An entourage of vehicles moves around the capital on August 2 in commemoration of the athletes who returned home with gold medals from the World Police & Fire Games. SUPPLIED
Athletes from the national police force have made a proud contribution to the nation’s image on the international stage by winning a total of 33 medals at The 19th World Police & Fire Games. This year’s games were held in the Netherlands.
The 22 police athletes medaled in each sport they participated in – coming home with a haul of 15 gold, 8 silver and 10 bronze medals. Thanks to their outstanding results, Cambodia ranked 15th out of the 70 participating countries.
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Upon their return on August 2, the triumphant team was warmly welcomed. The ministry of Interior’s sports council organised an open top parade with motorcycle outriders to the Independence Monument, and then the National Stadium.
With more medals than athletes, National Police chief Neth Savoeun lauded their accomplishment, saying they had contributed to raising the prestige of Cambodian law enforcement among the international policing community.
In a congratulatory letter to the leaders and athletes of the police team, Savoeun wrote: “On behalf of the leadership of the national police and myself, I would like to express my excitement and congratulations for the delegation of the national police sport unit who have achieved such brilliant results at The 19th World Police & Fire Games 2022.”
“The glorious success you achieved on this occasion is the pride of the national police force as well as the nation as a whole. You have also demonstrated great dedication. Besides performing your core tasks of providing public order and security, you have used your physical and mental energy to bring success to the nation,” it added.
The team collected medals in every discipline they contested: Jui Jitsu, Wrestling, Judo, Table Tennis, Karate, Badminton, Taekwondo, Wrist Wrestling and Push/Pull Lifting.
Among the 15 golds they brought home, six were for wrist wrestling and three each for taekwondo and wrestling. The police Jujitsu, Karate and weightlifters each claimed one gold.
The victories of taekwondo fighters Sam Yudeth, Va Mithona and Phal Sovannath were hailed by Prime Minister Hun Sen as they claimed gold in their respective weight classes.
Prime Minister Hun Sen posted a congratulatory message to the three martial artists.
“It is the pride of the entire nation that the three taekwondo fighters who attended the World Police & Fire Games are bringing home won three gold medals,” he wrote.
