PHNOM PENH: Today is the final day of the historic 2023 SEA Games, hosted by Cambodia. As the games come to a close, athletes from eleven southeast Asian countries can rest assured they have contributed to a spirit of sportsmanship and national pride for their respective countries. Vietnam has continued to hold first place in the gold medal count over the last few days, and currently leads with 124 gold and 326 medals total. Thailand is in second with 95 gold, and Indonesia is in third with 76 gold medals.

Yesterday saw medals won in a variety of martial arts, fencing and women’s football. Vietnam continued to lead the gold medal count, bringing home sixteen more. Cambodia garnered six more gold yesterday in Arnis, a Filipino martial art, in addition to kickboxing, wrestling and ESports.

The Vietnamese women’s football team held on to their first place title for the fourth consecutive year yesterday, beating Myanmar 2-0. The winning team will go on to make their debut at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand later this year. The Thai women’s football team went on to snag the bronze after defeating Cambodia that same night.

Today will see the games wrapping up with nineteen sports being awarded including cricket, dance, table tennis and volleyball. Cambodian Jet Ski rider Saly Ou Moeut won another gold for his country in Sihanoukville today.

The Cambodian public and officials seem pleased and honoured to have hosted the 32nd SEA Games. The nation will not have another such opportunity for more than 20 years, making it a momentous occasion for all who have been able to participate in the festivities.