Sam Rim will be the only athlete representing Cambodian in gymnastics at the upcoming SEA Games event in Malaysia but the Cambodian Gymnastics Federation is confidant their man will get a good result after a attending a four-month training camp in China.

“With the training in China for four months, I can see that Sam Rim has come on a lot and developed unbelievably,” general-secretary of the Cambodian Gymnastics Federation Noy Sophanna said.

At 22 years old, Sam Rim is considered a strong performer in artistic gymnastics and his natural ability and skill encouraged the Cambodian federation to send him to train in China.

His four-month stint in the Asian gymnastics powerhouse was supported by the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia’s Chinese First Vice President Gordon Tang.

Working on artistic training for four months, starting from April 9, has greatly helped the gymnast, who has also trained and competed in Japan, develop technically.

Sam Rim and Sophanna flew from China and arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday ahead of his competition in the artistic gymnastics discipline at the 29th SEA Games.

Asked if Sam Rim can compete for medals at the Sea Games in Kuala Lumpur, Sophanna said he was confident Sam Rim would do his best and be a tough opponent for his competitors because he believes the gymnast’s level is comparable to that of others in the region.

He said: “I cannot [guarantee he will win a medal] because I think this Sea Games will have tough competitors. But when they find out we have trained in China, at least some of the strong countries who won medals in the previous events will worry, because they know gymnasts who have trained in China develop to a high standard.”

Translated by In Sopheng