This photo taken on July 11, 2024 shows the opening ceremony of the second Asian Mixed Martial Arts Championship in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. (Photo by Rani/Xinhua)
PHNOM PENH, July 11 (Xinhua) -- The second Asian Mixed Martial Arts Championship kicked off at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, on Thursday evening.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet presided over the opening ceremony of the three-day tournament, which brought together a total of 94 Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters from 15 countries and regions across Asia.
The one-hour opening ceremony featured parade of the athletes, an athletes' and referees' oath, speeches, and traditional Cambodian martial arts performances.
In his speech, Hun Manet welcomed all athletes, referees, and sports officials to Cambodia, saying that their participation truly reflected the spirit of sportsmanship, friendship and cooperation.
"This event has not only boosted the sports sector, but also promoted tourism, culture, society, economy and Cambodian reputation as well as strengthened the bonds of solidarity and friendship among all participating sports delegates," he said.
"Under the roof of peace, political stability and economic growth, the royal government of Cambodia has paid high attention to the development of the sports sector," he added.
Co-organized by the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC), the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), and the Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association (AMMA), the event is the largest-ever gathering of MMA fighters in Cambodia.
NOCC's President Thong Khon said the winners from No. 1 to No. 8 will be eligible for the sixth Asian Indoor and Martial Art Games 2024, which will be hosted by Thailand in November.
The AMMA was founded in Singapore to promote and develop MMA activities across Asia. It is the sole pan-Asian mixed martial arts federation, which has been recognized by the OCA.
MMA is a full-contact hybrid combat sport, which incorporates elements of striking, grappling and ground fighting from many different fighting styles from all around the world.
In the first games in August 2023 hosted by Thailand, Cambodian athletes bagged two bronze medals. ■
