Taekwondo
Trương Thị Kim Tuyền (left) seen during a training session in Hà Nội. She is one of four Vietnamese athletes to compete at the World Taekwondo Asian Qualification Tournament on March 15-16 in China. Photo laodong.vn
HÀ NỘI Vietnamese taekwondo fighters will seek their Olympic places this week with winners receiving big bonus from the local federation.
The Việt Nam Taekwondo Federation (VTF) has assigned four athletes, Trương Thị Kim Tuyền, Bạc Thị Khiêm, Nguyễn Hồng Trọng and Lý Hồng Phúc to take part in the World Taekwondo Asian Qualification Tournament, a Paris 2024 Olympic Qualifier, on March 15-16 in Tai'an, China.
“We have discussed carefully to pick those to represent Việt Nam in this qualifier," head coach Vũ Anh Tuấn said.
"We sent four athletes, two male and two female, following the regulation of the organisers.
"Their performance in training in South Korea and at the recent tournaments in Canada and the US showed progress which is a strong base for them at this month's qualifier. Currently, we will focus on improving their weaknesses to get ready for China."
Tuấn said despite difficulties, athletes were expected to earn an Olympic spot as the continental qualifier was the last opportunity for athletes seeking to secure their place for the Paris Games.
About 230 athletes and over 100 referees from Asian countries will participate in the event. Only top two fighters of each category will qualify for the Paris Games this summer.
Bạc Thị Khiêm (left) trains in preparation for Olympic qualification later this week. Photo toquoc.vn
“Almost all of the strongest martial artists will compete," Tuấn said.
"The Vietnamese have received strong support in their preparation and they are asked to be focused and determined to complete the mission,”
Former Asian champion Tuyền will compete in the women's 49kg; Asian Games bronze medallist Khiêm will take part in the women's 67kg; rising star Trọng will fight in the men's 58kg; and SEA Games champion Phúc will participate in the men's 68kg.
The team will leave for Tai'an on March 12 with a VTF's promise of VNĐ100 million (US$4,050) in cash for anyone returning home with an Olympic berth.
At the 2020 Tokyo Games, Tuyền was the only Vietnamese taekwondo representative. She was defeated by Panipak Wongpattanakit of Thailand in the quarter-finals.
She is still the athlete with the most potential. She just won a silver at the US Open taekwondo tournament on February 19 in Nevada.
"Asia is home to strong rivals in my weight category. I have well prepared for the qualification and target a place in the Paris Games,” said Tuyền who is seeded No 4 at the Chinese event.
Meanwhile Khiêm who secured a silver at the Canada Open last month said: "I am on the final touches to perfecting my technique and improve my physique for the qualifier. Born in the year of dragon, this is my year and I have set myself to fight best and hope for positive result". VNS
OVietnam