Wrestlers are confident they may pick up six gold medals at the Southeast Asian Games, taking place in Myanmar early December.
"Wehave registered to compete in 12 categories of wrestling, as many aspossible. I believe it won't be difficult to bring home six gold medals.We managed eight at the last Games in Indonesia ," said Nguyen TheLong, head of the Wrestling Department of the National SportsAdministration.
"The important thing for the whole team now isto avoid injury during the training period to ensure they are in goodspirits and top physique condition," Long said.
This Decemberwill see a strong lineup of 15 athletes across three categories: men'sand women's freestyle and men's Greco-Roman. Approximately one third ofthe contingent will be making their SEA Games debut.
Among them,Khong Van Khoa (men's 74kg Greco-Roman), Nguyen Huy Ha (men's 55kgfreestyle), Nguyen The Anh (men's 60kg freestyle) and Bui Tuan Anh(men's 66kg freestyle) are strongly believed to defend their titles.
On the women's side, the world junior silver medalist and Asian champion Vu Thi Hang will fight to dominate the 48kg division.
Althoughit will be her first SEA Games the young star has already competed atthe international level, attending the Asian Championships.
NguyenThi Lua, an Asian Games silver medalist and the only Vietnamesewrestler to take part in the London Olympics 2012, will compete in the51kg division.
"I can not predict what our athletes will achieveat the SEA Games, but I am positive the determination and talent I haveseen during training will bring positive results," said expert EdemAbduraimov.
"We have an interesting practise curriculum which inmy opinion is suitable for us to improve our skills and technique. I amreally excited and feeling more confident each day," said defendingchampion Khoa.
Two-time winner Ha shared: "I am training hard todefend my title in the 55kg pool. Although I have no information aboutmy rivals, I have had the chance to take part in some competitionsincluding the recent world tournament. This experience has given meconfidence for the upcoming Games."
Despite high hopes, challenges lie ahead for the team.
Therules of the game have been changed. One round will take place in threeminutes instead of two minutes, which will demand greater strength,stamina, endurance, and skill to compete, according to coach Long.
Theother challenge lies in the fact the athletes were only summoned forfive months. According to coach Nguyen Van Truc of the Greco-Roman team,the shorter lead time has allowed for less preparation by athletes.
Headcoach Doi Dang Hy maintained the SEA Games was a tough competition withmany teams, including Thailand, enlisting talented wrestlers in recentyears.
The Vietnamese side will look to build on the result fromtwo years ago, where the contingent picked up eight gold medals, behindthe nation's gymnastics squad which nabbed 11 titles.
However,experts are optimistic, with the squad having brought home 46 goldmedals since the 22nd Games held in Vietnam back in 2003.
Wrestling events will take place from December 7-13 in Yangon, Myanmar.-VNA
"Wehave registered to compete in 12 categories of wrestling, as many aspossible. I believe it won't be difficult to bring home six gold medals.We managed eight at the last Games in Indonesia ," said Nguyen TheLong, head of the Wrestling Department of the National SportsAdministration.
"The important thing for the whole team now isto avoid injury during the training period to ensure they are in goodspirits and top physique condition," Long said.
This Decemberwill see a strong lineup of 15 athletes across three categories: men'sand women's freestyle and men's Greco-Roman. Approximately one third ofthe contingent will be making their SEA Games debut.
Among them,Khong Van Khoa (men's 74kg Greco-Roman), Nguyen Huy Ha (men's 55kgfreestyle), Nguyen The Anh (men's 60kg freestyle) and Bui Tuan Anh(men's 66kg freestyle) are strongly believed to defend their titles.
On the women's side, the world junior silver medalist and Asian champion Vu Thi Hang will fight to dominate the 48kg division.
Althoughit will be her first SEA Games the young star has already competed atthe international level, attending the Asian Championships.
NguyenThi Lua, an Asian Games silver medalist and the only Vietnamesewrestler to take part in the London Olympics 2012, will compete in the51kg division.
"I can not predict what our athletes will achieveat the SEA Games, but I am positive the determination and talent I haveseen during training will bring positive results," said expert EdemAbduraimov.
"We have an interesting practise curriculum which inmy opinion is suitable for us to improve our skills and technique. I amreally excited and feeling more confident each day," said defendingchampion Khoa.
Two-time winner Ha shared: "I am training hard todefend my title in the 55kg pool. Although I have no information aboutmy rivals, I have had the chance to take part in some competitionsincluding the recent world tournament. This experience has given meconfidence for the upcoming Games."
Despite high hopes, challenges lie ahead for the team.
Therules of the game have been changed. One round will take place in threeminutes instead of two minutes, which will demand greater strength,stamina, endurance, and skill to compete, according to coach Long.
Theother challenge lies in the fact the athletes were only summoned forfive months. According to coach Nguyen Van Truc of the Greco-Roman team,the shorter lead time has allowed for less preparation by athletes.
Headcoach Doi Dang Hy maintained the SEA Games was a tough competition withmany teams, including Thailand, enlisting talented wrestlers in recentyears.
The Vietnamese side will look to build on the result fromtwo years ago, where the contingent picked up eight gold medals, behindthe nation's gymnastics squad which nabbed 11 titles.
However,experts are optimistic, with the squad having brought home 46 goldmedals since the 22nd Games held in Vietnam back in 2003.
Wrestling events will take place from December 7-13 in Yangon, Myanmar.-VNA
