Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy celebrates her win in the women's 52kg class at the 31st SEA Games last May. Thuy will defend her title next month in Cambodia. (Photo: VNA) This marks a significant decrease from their impressive haul at the previousGames held in Hanoi, but the athletes are determined to leave their mark on thecompetition.
Cambodia, the host country, has organised 11 combat events, ten individualcontests, one team event, and two kata performances.
"There are ten weight categories, but as regulated, we are allowed toparticipate in seven," said coach Nguyen Duy Khanh. "Our coachingboard has to select athletes carefully to make sure Vietnam is in the leadinggroup."
The national team has been training since early January to prepare for theregional Games.
They had a successful Southeast Asian championship with 29 gold medals to placefirst in the region. However, the participants were not the strongest athletesin their countries, so Vietnamese coaches were careful when setting a target ofthree golds.
Athletes also had a short training camp in Mongolia, their familiardestination, to improve their technique. Currently, the 18-strong contingent isin the southern Dong Thap province, where the weather is similar to Phnom Penh.
"It is a necessary step for athletes," said coach Hoang Nhat Thong."They will become familiar with the hot and humid weather, so they willnot be tired."
Fighters are training three times per day, focusing on their fitness andtechnique while maintaining themselves at peak under the support of Germancoach Christian Velici.
According to Vietnam Judo Federation President Nguyen Manh Hung, Vietnam has ageneration of experienced athletes such as Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy (women's52kg), Hoang Thi Tinh (women's 48kg) and Nguyen Hoang Thanh (men's 55kg).
In addition, the team are home to young talents, including Dang Thanh Duong (men's60kg), Nguyen Thanh Hoan (men's 66kg), Nguyen Nhac Nhu An (women's 44kg) and LeHuynh Tuong Vi (women's 70kg).
"I have been training hard for different important tournaments this year,including SEA Games," said three-time champion Thuy.
"My goal is to get the highest result which will push me to be successfulat the Asian Games and look towards the Paris Olympics," said Thuy, whowas Vietnam's only judoka at the Tokyo Olympics.
"SEA Games is very close," said An, who will make her SEA Games debutthis May. "We are in a rush, having almost no time to rest but keeptraining.
"I had not competed with any regional rival before but watched themthrough video. I look for their weak and strong points and then find a way tobeat them. Like all athletes, I want to win and take gold, for me and for Vietnam."
Also a SEA Games debuter, Vi said she was confident in her technique but wasstill nervous.
Coach Thong said: "My fighters are in good condition and ready for theGames. Among them, I believe that Thuy and Tinh would take gold as they havebeen the most experienced members. Tinh will compete in her third Games while Thuyin the fifth."
He said he hopes Vi can show off her ability in Cambodia to prove herself acore team member in further tournaments.
Vietnam will also face naturalised athletes.
Cambodia has naturalised three Ukrainian athletes; at least two will compete atthe May Games.
The name of the fighters have not been revealed, but it is said that one willtake part in the men's 66kg class.
Philippine Judo Federation director Emir Reyes confirmed the news.
Reyes said that before the SEA Games judo tournament starts, they are trying toestablish the identities of the Ukrainian judokas to find out if they hadpreviously competed for their home country, in possible violation of internationaljudo competition rules.
Shugen Nagano, an athlete from Japan, will represent the Philippines. He wasone of the country’s two gold medalists in the Vietnam SEA Games. Naganochampioned the men's 66kg class after beating Vietnamese Truong Hoang Phuc.
Meanwhile, the other Filipino-Japanese Rena Furukawa ruled the women’s 57kgclass. She will be the biggest obstacle of Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc of Vietnam, whobagged a bronze last year.
Judo will be held from May 13-16 at the Choy Changvar International Conventionand Exposition Centre in Phnom Penh./.
VNA
