Cambodia’s taekwondo stars blew their chances of qualifying for next year’s Olympic Games after missing out on podium places at the qualifying tournament held in Bangkok over the weekend, which featured competitors hailing from 40 countries across Asia.

With the top three in each weight category progressing to the London mega-event, Cambodia’s SEA Games silver medallist Sorn Davin and bronze winner Chhouem Puthearim came agonisingly close in the 67kg and 57kg women’s events respectively but ultimately finished with fourth placings.

Team-mate Pett Darin ended fifth in the men’s 68kg class.

National team coach Choi Yong Sok remained upbeat despite the lack of London tickets.

“Even though our athletes did not finish in the top three of their qualifiers, what we achieved here is a good result compared with before,”  the South Korea-born coach said.