The ANZ Royal CNVLD Wheelie Grand Prix heated the streets of Kompong Cham town for the first time ever on Saturday 21^st November as 25 athletes from five teams battled it out for the titles of fastest male and female athletes on three wheels.

The 2009 2^nd Round 200m National Finals took place in the centre of Kompong town drawing the largest crowds of spectators ever seen at a Wheelie Grand Prix event. Teams from Phnom Penh, Kien Khleang, Kompong Speu, Kompong Cham and the All-Women’s Team from Battambang all competed in the first provincial race of 2009.

Reigning National Male Champion Van Vun, currently in training to be the first ever Cambodian paralympian to qualify for the London 2012 Games, entered the race as odds on favourite to continue his 3 year dominance of the event ahead of his participation in the Angkor Wat Half Marathon in December.

Hot on his heels were renowned sprinters Soeun Vanna, Eng Laiheourn and Chheom Sophanna all of whom have been putting in superlative performances through 2009.

In the Female category, the departure of former Champion Yob Nom due to maternal leave had allowed 2008 Champion Leot Ngait to step into the breach with Sieng Sokchan and Kroeun Vannon eager to swipe her crown and all though the return of former Champion Um Sophat from Kompong Chhnang had all the women athletes knowing they had to put in fast times to beat her.

The Governor of Kompong Cham town presided over the event, joined by staff from the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation and Cambodian Red Cross. ANZ Royal Kompong Cham Branch Manager Mr Mao Kok Khin and 25 branch staff volunteered to staff the race and together with the CNVLD Team of Mr Pich Piseth, Ms. Tol Kolab and Ms. Keth Putheary ensured that the Kompong Cham race was organised, staffed and managed entirely by Cambodians.

In the Male heats, reigning Champion Van Vun turned on the style to guarantee a place in the Finals by clocking an outstanding 00.32.87 with Souen Vanna (Phnom Penh) close behind with 00.35.98, Eng Laihourn (Kien Khleang) third with 38.38 and Yem Sophal clinching the last Finals lane in 37.53. Un Sophal (Kien Khleang) and Sin Sopha (Phnom Penh) narrowly missed Finals berths with times of 00.37.66 and 00.38.53 respectively.

In the ANZ Royal CNVLD Wheelie Grand Prix 2^nd Round 200m Male Final, Van Vun proved once again he has the speed, fitness and determination to become the first Cambodian athlete to qualify for the London 2012 Games by steaming over the line in a breathtaking 00.34.40 to take Gold. Souen Vanna took Silver in 00.36.12 and Eng Laihourn, easily the most improved athlete in the programme took Bronze in 36.47 just pipping Yem Sophal to the post who clocked 00.37.00.

In the Female heats, Krouen Vannon (Battambang) literally rode away from the front of the field to book her Finals spot in 00.44.19. Returning after a maternity absence of one year, Um Sophat (Kompong Chhnang) proved she hadn’t lost any speed by rolling into the Finals in 00.49.56 and Battambang Coach Sieng Sokchan showed her team had been training hardest by taking the third lane in 00.49.97. The pressure was therefore on 2008 Champion Loet Ngait (Kompong Speu) who clocked 00.51.72 to just clinch the last Finals berth.

The Female Finals were hard-fought as Kroen Vannon took Gold in 00.45.28 with revitalised former champ Um Sophat making a triumphant return by taking Silver in 00.47.59 and Loet Ngait just managed to keep Sieng Sokchan at bay to clinch Bronze in 00.51.31.

Following the presentation of the winners trophies, ANZ Royal Bank staff also presented the athletes with 100kg of rice in recognition of their outstanding efforts.

The CNVLD wishes to thank:

• H.E Hun Neng: Governor of Kompong Cham Province
• H.E Minister Ith Sam Heng, Minister of Social Affairs, Veteran’s and Youth Rehabilitation
• H.E Touch Chhay: Director of Kompong Cham Department of Social Affairs, Veteran’s and Youth Rehabilitation
• Mr Mao Kok Khin: Kompong Cham Branch Manager ANZ Royal Bank
• The Staff of ANZ Royal Bank Kompong Cham
• R.O Water
• Jean Loncle (Photography)
• THE ATHLETES WITH A DISABILITY OF CAMBODIA OF THE ANZ ROYAL CNVLD WHEELIE GRAND PRIX.

Final Results:

Male 200m:

1^st Place + $200 Prize: Van Vun Phnom Penh

2^nd Place + $100 Prize: Soeun Vanna Phnom Penh

3^rd Place + $50 Prize: Eng Laihourn Kien Khleang

Female 200m:

1^st Place + $200 Prize: Kroeun Vannon Battambang

2^nd Place + $100 Prize: Um Sophat Kompong Chhnang

3^rd Place + $50 Prize:Loet Ngait Kompong Speu

ANZ Royal CNVLD Wheelie Grand Prix 2009
2nd Round Competition - Kompong Cham Town - Saturday 21st November
Final Results

The CNVLD looks forward to welcoming the athletes and spectators to the ANZ Royal CNVLD Wheelie Grand Prix 2010 1^st Round in Phnom Penh in March.