Gunning for glory: Top Vietnamese karate artist Nguyen Hoang Ngan will return to international competition next month in Paris after a two-year absence at the World Championships. — Photo toancanhthethao.vn

HA NOI (VNS)— The 21st World Karate Championships 2012 will officially mark the return of Viet Nam's former world champion Nguyen Hoang Ngan after a two-year absence.

Ngan suffered a serious leg injury, and has been receiving treatment in Japan where she also completed her studies.

Now she is ready to take her title back at the Paris event that will run from November 21-25.

Ngan warmed-up for the championships at a tournament in Germany in September where she made an impressive come back with a gold medal in the individual kata (performance) event.

The performance showed Ngan has become a mature and composed athlete, and even better than before.

"It reflects her capacity to be back at her peak, and she understands more about the performance following the Japanese spirit, which not many foreign athletes can do," said Vu Son Ha, head of the Karate Section under the National Sports Administration.

In Paris, Ngan's main rivals are likely to be from Japan, the native home of the martial art.

Apart from Ngan, Do Thi Thu Ha, Nguyen Ha My and Nguyen Thanh Hang will compete in the women's team kata category. The trio also triumphed at the German event last month, overcoming tough Japanese opposition. — VNS