Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) At the 31st SEA Games hosted by Vietnam last year,seven countries, namely Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Thailand, thePhilippines and Vietnam, vied for medal sets of Vovinam.
Earlier, at the 26th and 27th SEAGames in 2011 and 2013 that the sport was present,there were only four competing nations.
General Secretary of the Vietnam Vovinam Federation NguyenBinh Dinh said that the presence of Vovinam in the 31st Games andthe upcoming 32nd Games in Cambodia is one of the good chances topromote the Vietnamese traditional martial arts to the world.
At the coming tournament in May, Vietnam set a target ofpocketing seven gold medals, one more compared to the previous edition.
Vovinam, the most popular style of martial art in Vietnam,as well as around the world, was founded by master Nguyen Loc in 1936, andintroduced to the public two years later.
Vovinam involves the use of different body parts such ashands, elbows, legs and knees. Trainers also learn to use weapons, includingswords, knives and fans. They also practise attacking and defensive skills.
Vovinam began to spread in 1970 and has developed in manycountries with hundreds of schools in Poland, Belgium, Russia, France, andASEAN members.
According to the Vietnam Vovinam Federation, there arearound 2.5 million practising the martial art in 70 countries and territories.The strong growth of the art form can be seen through the establishment of theworld federation, as well as continental federations in Asia, Europe andAfrica.
The first world championship was organised in 2009, markinga turning point in its history. Vietnam will be the host of the 2023 worldchampionship slated for November./.
VNA
