[End] Closing Ceremony of SEA Games 32

Cambodia declared the 32nd SEA Games concluded on the evening of May 17th and handed over the flag for hosting the next Games to Thailand.

Unlike the opening ceremony, the closing ceremony of the 32nd SEA Games was simpler, lasting less than 120 minutes. Of that, the speeches by officials alone took up 40 minutes, accounting for one-third of the program. Cambodia reviewed memorable events from the Games, announced outstanding athletes, and handed over the right to host the next Games to Thailand.

A series of fireworks marked the start of the closing ceremony of the 32nd SEA Games at Morodok Techo Stadium on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on the evening of May 17, 2023. Photo: Bui Luong — A series of fireworks marked the start of the closing ceremony of the 32nd SEA Games at Morodok Techo Stadium on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on the evening of May 17, 2023. Photo: *Anh Tuan*

For the first time competing abroad, Vietnam finished the Games in first place overall, with 136 gold medals, 105 silver, and 114 bronze. The delegation also achieved the highest performance rate, with gold medals accounting for 38% of the total medals, compared to second-place Thailand's 35%. Vietnam also marched first in the closing ceremony, even though most athletes had already returned home due to their events concluding early.

Eight athletes won four or more gold medals at the 32nd SEA Games, including six Singaporean swimmers: Quah Ting Wen, Quah Zheng Wen, Quah Jing Wen, Jonathan Tan, Letitia Sim, and Gan Ching Hwee. The remaining two athletes also won four gold medals: Nguyen Thi Oanh and Pal Chhor Raksmy (Cambodia). Oanh was the athlete with the most gold medals in athletics, while Raksmy led in gold medals in vovinam.

The Vietnamese delegation marches during the closing ceremony. Photo: Bui Luong — The Vietnamese delegation marches during the closing ceremony. Photo: *Bui Luong*

However, Oanh was not among the outstanding athletes selected by the organizers. The two chosen were both women: Ting Wen and Raksmy. Ting Wen is the athlete with the most gold medals at the SEA Games with six, including four individual gold medals and two team gold medals. Raksmy is the host country's athlete with the most gold medals, four in the vovinam performance category.

In the closing art program of the 32nd SEA Games, the host country impressed with the image of two mascots, a male rabbit named Borey and a female rabbit named Rumduol, flying into the air as if to bid farewell to the audience. Below, artists took turns performing traditional martial arts such as bokator, or Cambodian royal dances similar to those in the opening ceremony.

The SEA Games mascot flies into the sky. Photo: Thanh Vu — The SEA Games mascot flies into the sky. Photo: *Thanh Vu*

After Prime Minister Hun Sen declared the SEA Games closed, raindrops fell from the sky onto the torch, causing it to gradually extinguish. The flag of the Southeast Asian Olympic Committee was also lowered and then handed over by the host country's representative to Thailand – the host nation for the next Games in December 2025.

Cambodia concluded its first-ever SEA Games with thanks to the countries in the region. They considered the Games a resounding success, highlighted by features such as free accommodation for participating delegations and extensive coverage of events thanks to the host country's free television broadcasting rights. The host nation finished the SEA Games in fourth place overall, its highest ever ranking.

Quang Dung - Hoang An

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