Van became paralysed in both legs at age 3 after contracting Polio due to a lack of vaccination in rural Cambodia.

Born into a farming family, they were unable to afford a wheelchair for him and he was forced to drop out of school in Year 5.

He would continue his form, winning Gold in the 100, 200 and 400 metres at the 2013 Myanmar Games, being awarded $30,000 by the Cambodian Government for his achievements.

He won Bronze at 2015 ASEAN Para Games, before being selected as Cambodia's sole representative at the 2016, acting as the flag bearer and finishing 15th in the 100 m T54.

[2] Van was again the sole representative and flag bearer at the 2020 and 2024 Summer Paralympics, making the final of the 100 m T54 and finishing 7th in 2020.