HA NOI (VNS) — Viet Nam will send 12 martial artists to vie for gold medals in the taekwondo event at the upcoming 17th Asian Games (Asiad) to be hosted in Incheon, South Korea from September 19 to November 4.

According to Vu Xuan Thanh, head of the taekwondo section at the National Sports Administration, six men and six female athletes will compete in the sport.

Gold medal hopes are being pinned on Doan Thi Huong Giang, competing in the women's 49kg division, Pham Thi Thu Hien, taking part in women's 62kg division and Le Huynh Chau in the men's 63kg division.

Giang and Hien claimed one silver and one bronze medal, respectively at the German Open in Hamburg City last month. Chau is also expected to place after winning a berth to compete in the London Olympics in 2012.

To prepare for the event, the team will partake in the Asian Taekwondo Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on May 15-25.

"The Asian event will allow athletes to hone their skills and gain more experience for Asiad," Thanh said.

The team will also head to South Korea in June, for a training session and to compete in tournaments.

Viet Nam brought home one silver and three bronze medals from the 16th Asiad event in China in 2010, while female taekwondo athlete Tran Hieu Ngan pocketed a silver medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. — VNS