In just a few months Clark Hatch will celebrate the eighth anniversary of its health club in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The survival of the club, which is located at the Hotel InterContinental, is somewhat of a miracle.

The facility opened in July 1997 and it was not long after opening that the city became victim to severe rioting, when second prime minister Hun Sen ousted the first prime minister in a coup.

The hotel owner helped finance Hun Sen’s campaign and received tanks and soldiers to protect the property.

Despite continuing political problems, the club continues to perform beyond expectations and has a membership of more than 30 per cent of local residents.