Cambodia naturalized Ukrainian judo athlete for SEA Games

"Cambodia naturalize athletes like other countries to improve their international performance," Philippine Judo Federation (PJF) Sports Director Emir Reyes told the Malaya newspaper. "They are naturalizing three Ukrainian judo athletes, at least two of them will attend the 32nd SEA Games."

Reyes discovered Cambodia's naturalization of Ukrainian boxers while working with PJF Secretary General Dave Carter - who was assigned to be in charge of SEA Games 32 Judo - training referees and technical officials in this sport in Phnom Penh.

Reyes determined one person to compete in the men's 66kg fight, with the gold medal belonging to Shugen Nakano of the Philippines. PJF is investigating the detailed identities of two naturalized athletes to see if they have played for Ukraine and violated international judo rules.

Cambodia has not yet commented on the naturalization of Ukrainian athletes as Mr. Reyes said.

Ukraine is considered a strong country in martial arts such as judo or wrestling. Judo Ukraine has won one silver medal, three Olympic bronze medals in history. The naturalization of athletes is also in the general direction of Cambodian sports.

At the 31st SEA Games, Cambodia only won a bronze medal in the women's 62kg fighting class belonging to Eng Noun. Meanwhile, Vietnam dominated with nine gold medals with seven belonging to the opposing content, in addition, there were two silver medals and four bronze medals. Following is the Philippines with two gold medals, four silver medals and four bronze medals. Thailand and Indonesia jointly won a gold medal.

The 32nd SEA Games judo event will take place from May 13 at the Choy Changvar International Convention and Exhibition Center, Phnom Penh. 13 competitions include two in kata - performance, 10 individual fights and one team fight.

The Vietnamese judo team competed in 10 events, with a team leader, four coaches and 18 athletes. The target is to win two to three gold medals, the same as the previous period, and then triple it.

Nine male athletes are Nguyen Hoang Thanh (55kg gold medal at SEA Games 31), Chu Duc Dat (60kg gold medal), Truong Hoang Phuc (66kg silver medal), Le Anh Tai (90kg gold medal), Nguyen Hai Ba (73kg bronze medal). ), Nguyen Chau Hoang Lan (HC team men and women), Nguyen Cuong Thinh (silver kata), Bui Thien Hoang and Ta Duc Huy.

Nine female athletes including Hoang Thi Tinh (48kg gold medal), Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy (52kg gold medal), Nguyen Ngoc Diem Phuong (men and women's team medal), Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc (57kg bronze medal), Tran Le Phuong Nga (HC bronze kata), Nguyen Bao Ngoc, Nguyen Nhac Nhu An, Duong Thanh Thanh and Le Huynh Tuong Vi.