LookAtVietnam – The national karate team will take part in the 25th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games today with the aim of earning five gold medals.

Viet Nam is regarded as a regional powerhouse in the event, proving their power in karate, so it is no surprise that the karate team believe that they can grab five gold medals.

To reach the target, the training board’s team announced their list earlier than other teams to focus on training.

According to karate coach Le Cong, Viet Nam’s team is extremely strong and likely to dominate opponents with Asian Games gold medallist Vu Nguyet Anh in the women’s kumite 48kg class and the World champion Nguyen Hoang Ngan in the kata event.

Furthermore, other young talents such as Nguyen Ngoc Thanh and Nguyen Thi Hai Yen, who recovered from a knee operation earlier this year, are entirely capable of bringing home medals.

Cong said, “The presence of experienced and skilful martial artists will help the young athletes at the Games.”

The 11-member squad, which includes both young and veteran martial artists, arrived in Laos on Monday to prepare for the events at the Games which run from today to Saturday. Currently, their fitness and skill levels are good.

In preparation for the Games, the coaching board established plans and specific targets for each competitor. They sharpened their skills through a long-term training programme in Japan and in competitions in South Korea, Turkey, Germany and the Denmark Open before the SEA Games in Laos.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News