Sorn Seavmey: Cambodia’s Best Chance at an Olympic Medal?

Rio de Janeiro- Taekwondo athlete Sorn Seavmey will make her bid for Olympic gold in Rio on Saturday, in hopes of becoming the first ever Cambodian Olympic medallist. In her very first Olympic match-up, the 20-year-old will face Dutch-national Reshmie Oogink in the women’s over 67 kg taekwondo.

As athletes struggle to break Cambodia’s Olympic medal dry spell, the nation’s hopes fall squarely on Sorn’s fight. Cambodia has never won an Olympic medal at the eight previous Summer Olympic Games the country has participated in.

Although the 27-year-old Oogink is a much more experienced athlete, Cambodia has high hopes for this year’s opening ceremony flag bearer.

Sorn won a gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games in Seoul, South Korea, becoming the first Cambodian to win an Asian Games gold medal since 1954. She also won gold at the 2013 Southeast Asia Games in Myanmar.

So, will Sorn come out on top as the first Cambodian to win an Olympic medal? This feat falls on just two Cambodian athletes left to compete—Sorn and comedian-turned-marathon runner Neko Hiroshi, who is set to run on Sunday.