The Cambodian national wrestling team’s trailblazing run at the 27th SEA Games in Myanmar last year – where they hauled in four gold medals, two silvers and four bronzes – was followed by a sobering campaign at the 17th Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, three weeks ago, which was devoid of even a single victory in any bout.

However, the talented squad will head into this weekend’s 2014 Southeast Asian and Australian Wrestling Championships in Singapore with an eye of grabbing places on the podium once more.

Cambodian Wrestling Federation vice president Casey Barnett is covering all of the team’s expenses, including accommodation, food and flights, which totals around $6,800. Wrestlers making the trip over for the four-day competition starting on Friday include gold medalists Dorn Sao, Chov Sotheara and Ni Samnang, as well as Chab Loeun, Kang Denpisith, Ngoun Makara, Chun Thu, Chham Pisin and Dorn Sreymao.

They will be lead by CWF secretary- general and national team coach Thin Vichet. Veteran coach Hok Chheangkim and assistant coach Kim Sung Tae of South Korea will be spending their own money to travel with the delegation.