At 800m male running in the 32nd SEA Games, Chhun Bunthon excelled in the first goal with a record of 1 minute 52 seconds 91. He passed two Vietnamese rivals, Luong Duc Phuoc (1 minute 53 seconds 34) and Giang Van Dung (1 minute 54 seconds 98).
This is a historical gold medal of Cambodia, because they have never once won athletics in the SEA Games. This gold medal also lights up the dream of the Paris Olympic Games 2024 for Bunthon, even though he will have to go through an extremely arduous qualifying journey.
Chhun Bunthon attended ASIAD 19 in China. If he reaped high achievements here, he could completely win tickets to Paris. But Bunthon did not meet expectations. He completed the 800 meter running route with a time of 1 minute 50 seconds 97. Although better at the SEA Games, it is still too low compared to the Olympic standard.
The opportunity is still for this athlete. He will have to cross the Asian qualifier, the last event to consider the Olympic schedule. But everything is still very difficult for Bunthon.
As he shared, at this time he lacked money to take care of all stages, from eating, walking and buying training equipment.
“For the Olympics, it's my dream since 2012,” Bunthon said. “This time, I hope I can have the opportunity to participate. To participate in the Olympics, I need to cross the 800 meter qualifying round with a time of 1.47 minutes or less, but I only reached 1.50 minutes.
What we have difficulty is expensive food. Food price increases, making us difficult. Practicing to play in the world level, we need a lot of nutrition such as protein, electrolytes. It is a scientific food for me to practice for a long time. ”
Through this, the owner of the SEA Games 32 gold medal wants to shoot to Cambodian sports officials to support him. “Currently, you are practicing the most effort possible to receive incentives from the Royal Government, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. But everything has not been bright with this athlete,” said Thmey Thmey.
