Martial artistry

The Phnom Penh Post
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Heng Chivoan

Eighteen-year-old Chea Thary performs her winning kata karate routine during the National Karate Championship finals at Olympic Stadium on Sunday. Chea Thary, of Sorya Club, also won gold in the 53kg individual combat competition Friday. Un Sovannary took gold in both the women's freeweight and 48kg contests to contribute two of the 16 medals won by Sindoryo Club, the most successful club at the tournament. Male Sindoryo gold medallists include Pong Saravon in 55kg, Eam Sokheng in 65kg and 75kg, and Eang Kakada in the 80kg division. Internal Security Police Club claimed gold in both men's 70kg and freeweight thanks to the efforts of Sovann Kiry. Peng Phalla won the remaining men's combat gold medal at 69kg for Sorya club. In the kata discipline, a display of self-defence movements, Sovann Kiry and Chea Thary triumphed in the men's and women's divisions, respectively. Karate has seen a dramatic rise in popularity in recent years, but has yet to become popular outside of Phnom Penh, and provincial clubs were absent from the event.