Church Member Linly Chhay Enjoys Regional Success in Fencing
(សមាជិក​សាសនាចក្រ ឆាយ លីនលី សប្បាយ​ចិត្ត​ដោយ​កីឡា​គុន​ដាវ​ទទួល​បាន​ជោគជ័យ​ប្រចាំ​តំបន់)

ដើម្បីអានជាភាសាខ្មែរ សូមចុច នៅទីនេះ

Linly Chhay, the 21-year-old fencing sensation, found herself on the medal stand after competing at the 32nd edition of the South East Asian (SEA) Games held from May 5 to 17, 2023. Some 12,000 competitors from 11 countries in 36 sports participated in the regional competition, which was hosted by her home country of Cambodia. “Representing my country at the games here in Cambodia was a special event for me,” said Linly, who earned bronze medals in the individual and team competitions in the ancient and celebrated sport of fencing.

Linly’s love for fencing began when she was introduced to the sport by her sister’s friend at age 14. “I thought it was exciting,” she said. "I have loved it ever since.” She attributes her success to several factors which include her competitive desire to succeed. “I always want to win,” she said. 

But Linly has more than just a drive to win, she also has the vision, and discipline and knows what it takes to win. Linly’s training schedule starts in the morning at 5-9 a.m. and again from 1-5 p.m., practicing eight hours a day, six days a week. In addition to intensive practice and a competitive desire to win, Linly said, “I became good because I learned that I needed to not only learn to use my body, but I also learned to use my mind.”

God has also been a source of success, reports Linly. “As I pray before competitions, He gives me the inspiration to know how to assess and gauge my competitor. He also blesses me with comfort and helps me when I’m feeling down. I also feel comfort when I read my scriptures.”

Linly’s success is not without challenges. “Practicing six days a week is sometimes difficult,” she says. “One of my greatest challenges is I sometimes feel lazy, and I am tempted to not attend church on my only day off.  My mom is the best. She is a great source of encouragement for me. Even though it is sometimes hard to go to church I feel inspiration and encouragement when I hear the talks and lessons from my leaders that I can apply in my life.”

Fencing is a combat sport that has been in the Olympics since ancient times and continues in the world event today. Linly too has upheld this tradition, finding success and enjoyment in the sport as she pursues her goal to compete in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. When Linly is not at practice or competitions, she enjoys cooking, playing football, and hanging out with her friends.

In addition to Linly’s goal to compete in the 2024 Olympics Games, she also wants to serve as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She currently attends the Central Branch of the Church's Phnom Penh East District. She is from the Pochentong area where she lives with her father Dang Van Hai, mother Vo Thi Hong, three brothers, and two sisters, being the fifth child in the family.