Hem Bunting

Medal record
Competitor for  Cambodia
Athletics
Southeast Asian Games
Silver 2007 Nakhon Ratchasima Marathon
Bronze 2007 Nakhon Ratchasima 5,000 m
Bronze 2009 Vientiane Marathon

Hem Bunting, born December 12, 1985, is a Cambodian marathoner.

Bunting is one of nine children from a family of farmers in Stung Treng Province. The British Broadcasting Corporation has described him as "so poor he lives in the crumbling athletics stadium where he trains". He won a silver medal in the marathon and a bronze at the 5,000 metre race at the 2007 Southeast Asian Games. He represented Cambodia in the marathon at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, finishing 73rd in a time of 2:33:32.[1]

Bunting had few facilities and little funding to prepare for the Olympics. He trained by running laps on a track simultaneously used by casual joggers, and could not afford to buy running shoes. His best time in the marathon is 2:26:28.[1] The BBC's article on him moved one reader to send him new training shoes prior to the Beijing Olympics.[2]

Contents

Major competitions record

Year Competition Venue Position Event Notes
Representing  Cambodia
2004 World Half Marathon Championships New Delhi, India 79th Half marathon 1:19:40 (NR)
2005 Asian Championships Incheon, South Korea 20th 1500 m 4:03.87
2006 Asian Games Doha, Qatar 13th 5000 m DNF
2007 World Championships Osaka, Japan 39th (h) 1500 m 4:08.31
Southeast Asian Games Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand 3rd 5000 m 15:25.67
2008 Olympic Games Beijing, China 73rd (h) Marathon 2:33:32
2009 World Championships Berlin, Germany 39th (h) 1500 m 4:08.64
Jeux de la Francophonie Beirut, Lebanon 11th 5000 m 15:39.28
Southeast Asian Games Vientiane, Laos 6th 5000 m 15:45.63
3rd Marathon 2:25:19.68
2010 Asian Games Guangzhou, China Marathon DNF

Personal bests

Outdoor

Indoor

References

  1. ^ a b "Against the Odds: Hem Bunting", BBC, July 21, 2008
  2. ^ "Against the Odds: How did they do?", BBC, August 26, 2008

External links