ANZ Royal CNVLD Wheelie Grand Prix National Champion Van Vun took Gold in the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon in Siem Reap on Sunday 6^th December in a time of 1hr 7mins.

The prestigious event, now in its 14^th year, attracted nearly 4000 athletes from over 40 nations who gathered to complete a course which wound its way through the temple complex of Angkor Wat.

Despite powering away from the opposition from the outset and taking clear victory by over 10 minutes from his closest rival, only a mechanical problem caused by the bumpy roads and traffic in the form of backmarkers in the 10km run prevented Vun from setting a new personal best time.

In interviews with the local and international media crowding around him after his victory, Vun said that he was on track to complete the 21km course in a new PB of 50mins but after being forced to stop three times after losing a handlebar going over bridges on the course and tracking through backmarkers on the last 4km he lost over15 mins. He was however very proud as Cambodia’s No1 wheelchair racer to have won in such a comprehensive fashion and was now looking forward to continuing training ahead of his participation in the Geelong Wheelchair Training Camp in Australia in January.  

Sunday’s performance keeps Vun firmly on track in his quest to become the first ever Cambodian athlete to qualify for the Paralympic games in London 2012.

Vun was presented his Winner’s Gold Medal, certificate, trophy and a special Asics gift bag by a representative from the Japanese organising committee of the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon.

 The CNVLD thanks ANZ Royal Bank for their sponsorship of Vun’s participation in the race and the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon for organising such a professional event.

Van Vun and the CNVLD look forward to competing in the 15^th Anniversary of the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon in 2010.