Wrestling golds from regional rivals
HÀ NỘI Việt Nam want to pin down a top spot in wrestling but other countries are also expecting good results at the SEA Games 31.
Competing on home ground, millions of local fans at home will support the Việt Nam team. They will compete in all 18 weight categories of Greco Roman and freestyle disciplines for both men and women.
"My athletes have not competed in international events in the previous two years. It has strongly affected their technique and competitive mind, But they all are encouraged to overcome difficulties," Tạ Tùng Đức, head of the Wrestling Department of the Việt Nam Sports Administration.
"All athletes are asked to practise hard and be focused on the No 1 target. Currently, they are in good condition, confident and ready to wrestle."
Đức said that Vietnamese athletes would face strong rivals, including naturalised ones, as 'importing' foreign athletes has become a trend in Southeast Asia recently. Việt Nam have to adjust and adapt to the change.
"As far as I know, Cambodia have made a revolution in their team. They have two athletes imported from Iran who will participate in the Greco Roman heavyweight division. The Kingdom also have a female athlete naturalised from South Korea. She will compete in the 62kg class where she will meet our reign
ing champion Nguyễn Thị Mỹ Hạnh,” Đức said.
Cambodia have invited Iranian expert Komeil Ghasemi to work with the national team. Their 16-strong contingent is expected to grab two golds.
"Many countries, including Thailand, have paid much on wrestling recently to improve the level of this sport. The coaching board will have to switch our tactics based on real happenings when we are in the competition," Đức said.
Wisut Tangvarithon, president of the Wrestling Sports Association of Thailand, said that their women’s team and the men’s team, 12 athletes each, were prac
tising intensely and ready to fight for two golds.
Meanwhile, coach Đới Đăng Hỷ, a former multi-time SEA Games champion, said the Philippines are a strong team. They have been Việt Nam's archrivals for many years. And this year, they will again be a threatening force.
The Filipino wrestlers harvested two golds, 10 silvers, and one bronze during the last SEA Games held in Angeles, Pampanga.
The SEA Games 30 gold medalists Noel Norada (Greco-roman 63kg) and Jason Baucas (Greco-roman 72kg), among the 13-strong team, will defend their crown in Việt Nam.
To top the tally, the hosts will have to grab up to 12 gold medals. The golden hopes will be Phùng Khắc Huy, Nguyễn Xuân Định, Cấn Tất Dự, Trần Văn Trường Vũ, Hoàng Văn Nam, Ngô Văn Lâm, Bùi Tiến Hải, Bùi Mạnh Hùng, Nguyễn Bá Sơn, Nghiêm Đình Hiếu, Nguyễn Minh Hiếu, and Hà Văn Hiếu on the men's side.
Nguyễn Thị Xuân, Kiều Thị Ly, Nguyễn Thị Mỹ Trang, Nguyễn Thị Mỹ Hạnh, Lại Diệu Thương and Đặng Thị Linh will aim for glory for the women.
The restling will be held from May 17-19 at the 2,500-seater Gia Lâm District Gymnasium in Hà Nội.