Pétanque: Cambodia Comes Second, Three Times
Petanque athletes during the 32nd SEA Games in Phnom Penh. Photo: Sem Vanna
- By Teng Yalirozy
- May 9, 2023 9:00 PM
PHNOM PENH – Three silver medals were won in three different disciplines by the Pétanque Cambodian teams on May 9 at the Olympic Stadium.
While they add up to the country’s count, Cambodia could have expected to come first in some finals given it has several pétanque world champion titles to its credit.
Yet, the country has still not won a single gold medal since the start of the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games’ ball game tournament.
In the Women's Double, Cambodia’s duo formed by Thea Samphors and Thyvann Chhum was defeated 13-4 by its Laos counterpart.
Laotian players Aly Sengchanphet and Chindavone Sisavath put the gold medal around their necks, while the duos from the Philippines and Thailand got the bronze.
In Men’s Double, Pheap Vakhim and Puth Yon Chandara only got 3 points when their Thai opponents Aekkarin Kaewla and Ratchata Khamdee scored 14 points, relegating the Cambodian team to second place.
Malaysia’s and Vietnam’s duos got bronze medals.
In the Mixed Double, Cambodian Nop Choulyka and Sao Sophearann lost 13-4 to Thai Nantawan Fueangsanit and Sarawut Srriboonpeng.
The Vietnamese and Lao teams claimed bronze medals.
Cambodian teams have reached the final round four times in Men’s Shooting, Women's Double, Men’s Double, and Mixed Double.
In the Men’s shooting final on May 7, the country already came second, defeated by Lao.
The pétanque contest will run until May 13 with finals happening on May 10 (Mixed Triples 2 Women 1 Men), May 11 (Mixed Triples 2 Men 1 Women) and May 13 (Men’s and Women’s Triples).
