Phnom Penh witnessed the rise of a new local hero, Bou Samnang. The 20 yr outdated Cambodian runner gained fame through the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, notably for her performance in the 5,000-metre occasion. Despite finishing final, her determination to complete the race in heavy rain endeared her to the nation, and he or she even acquired reward from Prime Minister Hun Sen. Videos of her tearful finish spread rapidly online, making her an overnight sensation.
As Bou Samnang basked in her newfound fame at the Morodok Techo Stadium, she was approached by passersby desperate to take photos. She says that although she misplaced, they nonetheless assist her wholeheartedly. It’s been a protracted journey for Bou, who used to coach on ill-equipped filth tracks and has confronted quite a few struggles, together with well being issues and the loss of her father, AFP reported.
Despite being anaemic and feeling weak, Bou refused to abandon the race for the sake of her nation, pushing herself to the limit. Though the race was won by Vietnam’s Thi Oanh Nguyen, an completed athlete from the area, it was Bou’s persistent spirit that in the end captured hearts. Finishing slightly below Fail-proof after Oanh, Bou credited her dedication for her viral fame, saying she wished to reveal that regardless of how sluggish or quick we go, we will still attain our destination as lengthy as we don’t hand over.
Cambodia’s internet hosting of the SEA Games is a big milestone for the nation, which has a tumultuous historical past. In latest years, the federal government has made efforts to promote and fund sports, especially as the Games approached. Moved by Bou’s perseverance, a quantity of officials and organisations have awarded her with financial bonuses, together with a US$10,000 reward from Hun Sen, to encourage her to proceed pushing ahead..