Cambodian athlete hospitalized after losing to Vietnam

SEA Games 32

Sunday, May 7, 2023 11:53 (GMT+7)
21 hours ago

Vovinam athlete Ammarin Phouthong could not stand after losing to Nguyen Thanh Liem and was taken straight to the hospital in the men's 60 kg qualifying round of the 32nd SEA Games on the morning of May 7.

Athlete Ammarin Phouthong received first aid before being taken to the hospital. Photo: Quang Thinh .

Ammarin Phouthong was given first aid at the scene when he showed no signs of consciousness. He passed out on the stretcher due to difficulty breathing and rapid heartbeat. The medical team quickly intervened before transferring him to an ambulance.

A Cambodian team coach told Zing : "Ammarin Phouthong lost more than 9 kg from 69 kg to more than 59 kg to compete in the men's 60 kg category. Losing weight is not dangerous if there is time to adjust, but if it is done in a short time, the athlete will have difficulty holding on."

Ammarin Phouthong played against Nguyen Thanh Liem in the qualifying round on the morning of May 7 at the Chroy Changvar Convention Center. He started quickly but Thanh Liem was more experienced and was able to avoid many of his opponent's kicks. After being continuously hit by Thanh Liem, Phouthong slowed down and showed signs of fatigue on the mat. The referee quickly called him back for a check-up.

After determining that it would be dangerous for the Cambodian athlete to continue competing, the referee awarded Thanh Liem the win. Thanh Liem then defeated Laos athlete Ananthasak Souliyavong to enter the final of the men's 60 kg category.

Vietnam Vovinam competed in 4 men's combat events, 4 women's combat events and 22 performance events, aiming to win 7 gold medals at the 32nd SEA Games. On the first day of competition, martial artist Le Thi Hien brought home a gold medal in the women's 55 kg combat event.

On the morning of May 7, Vietnam Vovinam won two more silver medals in the performance categories. Do Phuong Thao and Thanh Liem will compete for gold medals in the two finals at 2:00 p.m. this afternoon.

SEA Games swimming record broken in qualifying round On the morning of May 7, swimmer Jonathan Tan of the Singapore Sports Delegation won first place in the 32nd SEA Games qualifying round for the men's 50m freestyle with a time of 21.91 seconds, breaking the old record (21.93 seconds).

Quang Thinh

From Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Vovinam Vietnam Ammarin Martial Arts Phouthong Vovinam Vietnam Sea Games 32