Cambodian SEA Games gymnastics hope Sam Rim has been preparing in the Chinese city of Shantou with the Guangdong provincial team and is planning to reach Malaysia directly from his training base for the biennial event, which will run from August 19-31.

Cambodia Gymnastics Federation (CGF) Secretary-General Nay Phonna confirmed to The Post that Rim had been training in China since the middle of April under the supervision of his coach Wang Yibing.

“I am extremely grateful to our federation’s Vice President Gordon Tang for supporting this programme with his yearly donation of $10,000 to us,” Phonna said.

“It will be a great opportunity for Sam Rim to experience quality competition in a sport that is gradually gaining strength in Cambodia,’’ the CGF secretary-general said.

Rim will be competing in the floor and vault at the Games, and his Chinese coach Wang Yibing has expressed satisfaction over the progress being made by his trainee.

Last year, a three-member Cambodian team of Sor Sopheng, Choeun Chanbory and Sor Sokim took part in the FIG Aerobic Gymnastics World Championships in the South Korean city of Incheon, signalling the fledgling CGF’s efforts to raise competitive standards in the Kingdom.

The competition in Incheon involved men’s and women’s individual events, mixed pairs, trio, group, aerobic step and aerobic dance.

While Sopheng and Chanbory entered the men’s senior individual competition, the only female member of the team, Sokim, partnered Sopheng in the senior mixed pairs.