Former national team athlete Kong Voanny continued his dominance of the National Public Championships by winning his 10th successive Central region men’s 100 metres race yesterday morning at Olympic Stadium.

The Prey Veng sprinter, who competed under his birth name Chhun Bunthorn, made good use of a week-long training at the track prior to the event, leading from start to finish against other representatives from his home province and those from Kandal, Svay Rieng, Kampong Cham and Kampong Chhnang.

Voanny crossed the line in a time of 11.55 seconds, while Kampong Chhnang’s Ngeth Sorkarath came in second with 11.87 and Sen Sumphear of Kandal province took third on 12.77.

The victory not only helped Prey Veng athletes qualify for the 2012 National Public Championships, which will be held in Pursat, but also broke Voanny’s previous personal best of 11.66, set in July at the 2012 Senior and Junior High School Championships.

“I won the [men’s 100 metres] gold medal at the National Public Championships in three successive edition between 2007 and 2009, but I missed the events in 2010 and 2011,” Voanny told the Post, whilst hinting that he may snub this year as well if the race is held on the same day as his graduation ceremony at the National University of Management.

Meanwhile, Phun Sopheak from Kampong Chhnang triumphed in the women’s 100 meters race in 14.50 seconds. Kampong Thom’s Ky Kimvouch finished fractionally behind in second on 14.89, while Chhem Seira of Kandal, who was at the front for the majority of the race, dropped back to third after suffering a suspected muscle strain in the final yards to finish in 15.95.

The annual National Public Championships – which also features competitions in football, volleyball and basketball and is organised by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport – is split into five regions, known as centres, including Central, Phnom Penh, Kampot, Banteay Meanchey and Rattanakiri. The Phnom Penh round of athletics was also competed yesterday at Olympic Stadium.

Its men’s 100 metres race saw Ministry of National Defence Club’s Sok Chanthearith claim first in 11.59 seconds. In Diputhna of Asia Europe University finished second on 12.34 as Yam Sarin of Ministry of Interior Club grabbed third with 12.38.

Mao Monita of Asia Europe University won the women’s 100 meters dash in a time of 13.66 seconds, MoI’s Doung Sreypheap was second with 14.18, and Khnar Chhorvy of PSE came in third on 14.82.

To contact the reporter on this story: Chhorn Norn at [email protected]