This photo shows the opening ceremony of the 2nd Asian Mixed Martial Arts Championships in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on July 11, 2024. (Photo by Lani/Xinhua)
PHNOM PENH, July 11 (Xinhua) — The second Asian Mixed Martial Arts Championships kicked off at the Olympic Stadium in Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh on Thursday night.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet presided over the opening ceremony of the three-day tournament, which attracted a total of 94 mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes from 15 countries and regions across Asia.
The hour-long opening ceremony included a parade of athletes, the athlete and referee oaths, speeches, and a performance of traditional Cambodian martial arts.
In his speech, Hun Manet welcomed all the athletes, referees and sports officials visiting Cambodia, saying their participation truly reflects the spirit of sportsmanship, friendship and cooperation.
“The event not only revitalized the sports sector but also promoted tourism, culture, society, economy and Cambodia's reputation, and strengthened bonds of solidarity and friendship among all sports representatives who participated,” he said.
“Under the conditions of peace, political stability and economic growth, the Royal Government of Cambodia has paid great attention to the development of the sports sector,” he added.
The event is co-organized by the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC), the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association (AMMA) and will be the largest gathering of mixed martial artists in Cambodia's history.
NOCC president Thong Khon said the winners from first to eighth place would qualify to compete in the 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games 2024 to be held in Thailand in November.
AMMA was founded in Singapore with the mission of promoting and developing MMA activities across Asia and is the only Pan-Asian Mixed Martial Arts Federation recognised by the OCA.
MMA is a full-contact hybrid combat sport that incorporates striking, grappling and ground fighting elements from different fighting styles from around the world.
At the inaugural tournament, which will be held in Thailand in August 2023, Cambodian athletes won two bronze medals. ■
