Moraes promises a stand-up war

Adriano Moraes is one of the most exciting mixed martial arts prospects in the world and is looking to establish himself alongside the likes of Bibiano Fernandes, Ben Askren and Shinya Aoki as one of ONE FC’s top pound-for-pound fighters.

The Brazilian can take a big step in the right direction by becoming the organisation’s inaugural flyweight champion when the faces Geje Eustaquio of the Philippines in the main event of ONE FC: Rise of the Kingdom in Phnom Penh next month.

For Cambodia to play host to Asia’s biggest promotion is a major milestone for the country’s burgeoning MMA scene, but it will also be the most important night of Moraes’s career and he is determined to take the belt back to Brazil.

“I dream about becoming the champion all night,” he said. “It’s such a great honour for me being invited by ONE FC to fight for the inaugural flyweight title and I am doing everything possible to bring this title to my hometown.”

Standing opposite him will be Eustaquio, who beat three separate opponents inside the ONE FC cage to secure his title shot. Moraes is not taking the Filipino flyweight lightly.

“Eustaquio is such a great fighter, a very tough and smart athlete. It’s going to be a war, because the Filipino is a warrior and I am preparing my body and my soul for the biggest challenge of my life.”

In terms of experience, Moraes has a clear advantage with his 11-1 record slightly superior to Eustaquio’s tally, which currently stands at 6-2. Many feel the Brazilian should be undefeated, but he suffered a controversial split decision defeat on his ONE FC debut last year.

Despite this disappointing start to his ONE FC career Moraes, who is coming off back-to-back wins over experienced Japanese opponents, is loving life with the fastest growing MMA organisation in the world.

“Since the day I signed the contract with ONE FC, my life has been great. They gave me an opportunity to show the world my skills and this is such a big thing for me. Nowadays everyone is watching Asian MMA and it is an honour to be a part of it.”

After bouts in Malaysia and Indonesia, this will be the third country in which Moraes has fought in for ONE FC and he is excited about getting to visit Cambodia for the first time.

“I feel very happy because Cambodia is a place that I’ve wanted to visit. I love Asia, it has a very good vibe and I’m sure Phnom Penh will be no different.”

While Moraes will be seeing Phnom Penh with fresh eyes, local fight fans will also be getting their first glimpse at a live ONE FC event and the Brazilian assures them that his headlining bout will not disappoint.

“Me and Geje Eustaquio are both martial artists who are natural strikers, so I think this fight is going to be a stand up war that the audience and the fans will love.”

Tickets are on sale now for Rise of the Kingdom, which will be held at Koh Pich Theatre on September 12. Action will also be broadcast live on StarSports and local channel MyTV.

On August 29, ONE FC will host its inaugural event in Dubai, titled Reign of Champions, with a blockbuster card that includes three titles fights in the lightweight, welterweight and featherweight divisions.

Sourced by: The Phnom Penh Post

By: easynewstech On 10:17 PM

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Youth Olympics squad flies out

The six-member Cambodian delegation headed by Chef de Mission Nhan Sokvisal will depart Phnom Penh tomorrow for the 2nd Youth Olympic Games in the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing.

The Kingdom’s medal hopes for the August 16-27 tournament are pinned on male swimmer Cheng Sopha, female sprinter Sokha Panha Viriyak Vatey and female wrestler Dorn Srey Mao.

Athletics trainer Lak Loch and swimming coach Hem Kiry will be part of the delegation.

Since only two officials are allowed to accompany athletes in keeping with the size of the squad, wrestling coach Chov Sotheara had to drop out, according to the chef de Mission.

The Games contingent has received corporate backing for the mission, with Angkor Beer stepping in to support the squad’s training as well as providing competition clothing and other expenses. Cash rewards for medal winning performances have also been guaranteed by the sponsors.

“We thank Angkor Beer for this grand gesture. This is the first time our Youth Olympic squad has received support from the private sector,” National Olympic Committee of Cambodia secretary-general Vath Chamroeun told the Post yesterday. 

“We need to send more athletes to events like Youth Olympics and the best way to achieve this goal is for our federations to vigorously pursue grassroots programs and produce athletes of real ability.

“It is not the performance which counts in these global events, it is Olympic education and cultural exchanges with athletes from all over the globe,” Chamroeun added.

French-born Cambodian teenager Sokha Panha Viriyak Vatey has shown a lot of promise since switching to athletics from gymnastics nearly two years ago. The 16-year-old will compete in the Girls’ 100-metre dash.

Wrestler Dorn Srey Mao, 18, represented Cambodia at the 2013 Myanmar SEA Games and that experience should stand her in good stead.

Fifteen-year-old swimmer Cheng Sopha, who competes in the 50m freestyle, is relatively short on competitive experience but has been hugely benefited by an Asian swimming camp he attended in Qatar a month ago.

Just over 3,000 athletes from 204 countries will be seen in action at Nanjing during the second edition of the Youth Olympics, which was introduced four years ago in Singapore.

Cambodia’s Sam Sothea did the country proud back in 2010 by winning a bronze medal in the Girls’ 44kg class judo competition.

Young reporters for Games
Currently 28 reporters have been announced to take part in the Young Reporters program for the Nanjing Games. Reporters between the ages of 18 and 24 were selected by the Continental Associations of National Olympic Committees. The contingent will include four reporters from each continent and eight from China.

As an initiative to encourage people all over the world to share in the Youth Olympic spirit, the program provides young reporters with a cross-platform journalist-training program and the opportunity for on-the-job experience in Nanjing.

The reporters will be able to work with highly qualified and renowned professionals in the fields of broadcasting, print journalism, social media and photography.

Sourced by: The Phnom Penh Post

By: easynewstech On 10:14 PM

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