The second edition of the CCC Aquathlon, hosted by the Cambodian Triathlon Federation on Saturday at the Cambodian Country Club, enjoyed an increase in participation from the previous year, according to CTF officials.

Of the 183 athletes that competed, the vast majority represented Cambodian clubs and associations and displayed an improvement in standard because of stricter entry conditions by the organisers forbidding those with limited or no training.

Approximately three per cent of the participants were foreigners.

The clubs and associations include Rithy Sen, Ministry of Information, Reach Sey, National Training Center, APP, CCC, PSE, Takhmao, Friendly Organisation and Human Resources University.

Despite a drop in volunteer numbers, the event was hailed as a success by the Federation.

Information minister and CTF honorary president Khieu Kanharith said in a speech on May 14: “The main purpose of this [Aquathlon] event is to encourage people to play sport and improve their standard. It also marks the International Children’s Day.”

In the men’s 18-35 years old class, which featured a swim of 350m before a run of 4.8km, Cambodia’s national team athlete and SEA Games marathon medallist Hem Bunting of AAP Club defended the title he won last year with a time of 22 minutes and 10 seconds.

Two minutes back came runner-up Neang Pich Piseth of Rithy Sen Club, while fellow national team long-distance runner Ma Viro, racing for Human Resources University Club, took third.

National Training Centre Club’s Khem Sambath clinched top honours in the 13- to 17-year-old boys division by completing the 150m swim and 3.2km run in just under 15 minutes. His club-mate Met Sopheaktra took silver, and Seng Khon of PSE Club grabbed bronze.

The men’s over-35s race produced the day’s only international winner in Jorge Ramos, who splashed through a 250m swim and dashed a 4km run in 20 minutes and five seconds.

Pov Hok of Human Resources University Club was two minutes off the pace in second, with Rithy Sen Club’s Khut Srous capturing third.

The women’s 18- to 35-year-old competition over a 350m swim and 3.8km run saw a winning performance by Hay Ley Sayby of Reach Sey club. Her time of 28 minutes 33 seconds beat local swimming star Hem Thon Vitiny of National Training Centre into second, with Vitiny’s club-mate Seng Somphos third.

The U17 girls class, held over the same distance as the boys’ event, saw Met Mary Yan triumph in 17 minutes and nine seconds. Nen Su Maly and Rini Oum Reachany rounded off the top three in second and third respectively to seal a clean sweep of podium places for the National Training Center Club. 

Translated by Cheng Seryrith