The Vietnamese karate team, the only one to win a gold medal in threesuccessive Asian Games (ASIAD) tournaments in recent years, could returnhome empty-handed this year.
This is largely because most ofthe seven-member team to be sent to the ASIAD in Incheon, the Republicof Korea are rookies. The veterans have been sidelined by injuries.
Anotherfactor is the change in the coaching staff. After 13 years at the helm,Le Cong, the head coach, was replaced last March by Sayed Hassan ofIran.
While Hassan is expected to bring the team to new heights,he is still adjusting to the athletic training process in Vietnam, aswell as the training style of Cong, who handled the team for more than adecade.
After more than a month under Hassan, the team made aremarkable transformation by winning 14 gold medals in the ASEANchampionships in Can Thoprovince, outperforming the competition frompowerful Thailand and Indonesia, which each won only nine gold medals.
VuSon Ha, head of the National Sports Administration's Karate Department,said Lim Chee Jin, Chairman of the Asian Karate Federation RefereeCouncil, was deeply appreciative of Vietnam's performance.
Haadded that Vietnamese martial artists had adjusted well to technical andtactical changes and showed remarkable improvement in their physicalstrength and movements.
Hassan said some of the athletes on theteam felt nervous about ASIAD because it would be their first timethere. "However, they need to remain calm and have strong self-controlfor a chance to win," he remarked.
The Iranian coach noted thatnearly all Vietnamese athletes were trained using the same method. Whenhe took over, he had to study the character of each athlete and providethem with individualised exercises that would improve their strengthsand neutralise their weaknesses.
Nguyen Hoang Ngan, the formerworld champion, bears on her shoulders the heavy task of winning thegold medal in the kata (performance) category at the Incheon ASIAD.
Ngan,who recently won a gold medal at the Karate1 Premier League inIstanbul, Turkey, is the only Vietnamese karate expert to reach worldlevels. She has undergone deep training in Japan in recent years.
However,at the ASIAD, considered a mini-world championship, she will be facingher top rivals on the world stage, from Japan, home of the sport, aswell as Iran and China.
Though she has won a number of titles in various world tournaments, she has yet to win in ASIAD.
"Ionly took a silver at the 2006 event and did not take part in the 2010edition. I will be the one who will be looking forward to ASIAD themost," said Ngan. "It is difficult to say if I could win a gold, but Iwill go for it."
"Ngan is our hope," said Ha. "We know that the competition will be tough, but we believe she will play her best."
Onthe kumite (combat) side, the absence of fighters Vu NguyetAnh and LeBich Phuong, former ASIAD winners, has left a big hole in the team.
Theyears are beginning to catch up with Anh, 30, who was on top of thepodium in Qatar in 2006. On the other hand, Phuong failed to stay inshape for the tournament and will be missing it for the second time.
HoNgoc Thuan, Lang ThiHoa and Bui Thi Han will be making their debut inthe Republic of Korea. One small advantage is that they know who theywill be facing, and they have been preparing for the moment.
"Ihave done much research on my rivals. I looked at their style and strongpoints. I also prepared myself and will follow my coach's instructionsduring the competition. I hope to achieve a good result," said Thuan.
Forher part, Hoa revealed that she lacked international experience butdidn't feel under heavy pressure to win a medal. This, she said, couldbe the advantage that will enable her to "perform magic" in Incheon.
Han,17, has travelled to compete for medals in tournaments held in othercountries in the last four months. Her remarkable results have made herone of the coaches' choices for the national team.
"It is an honour and a big challenge in my career. I promise to achieve the best result possible," said the athlete.
"Wehave set a target of one gold medal in Incheon," said Ha. "However, weare also prepared in case we lose there. It is great to win, but we haveto accept it if we do not. The changes in our team may bring risks forus, but these are also pushing us to the future."
Vietnam isexpected to send 64 athletes to compete in 20 out of the 36 events atthe upcoming 17th Asiad which will be held in Incheon from September 19to October 4.
At the 16th ASIAD in China, the nation gained one gold, 17 silvers and 15 bronzes.-VNA
This is largely because most ofthe seven-member team to be sent to the ASIAD in Incheon, the Republicof Korea are rookies. The veterans have been sidelined by injuries.
Anotherfactor is the change in the coaching staff. After 13 years at the helm,Le Cong, the head coach, was replaced last March by Sayed Hassan ofIran.
While Hassan is expected to bring the team to new heights,he is still adjusting to the athletic training process in Vietnam, aswell as the training style of Cong, who handled the team for more than adecade.
After more than a month under Hassan, the team made aremarkable transformation by winning 14 gold medals in the ASEANchampionships in Can Thoprovince, outperforming the competition frompowerful Thailand and Indonesia, which each won only nine gold medals.
VuSon Ha, head of the National Sports Administration's Karate Department,said Lim Chee Jin, Chairman of the Asian Karate Federation RefereeCouncil, was deeply appreciative of Vietnam's performance.
Haadded that Vietnamese martial artists had adjusted well to technical andtactical changes and showed remarkable improvement in their physicalstrength and movements.
Hassan said some of the athletes on theteam felt nervous about ASIAD because it would be their first timethere. "However, they need to remain calm and have strong self-controlfor a chance to win," he remarked.
The Iranian coach noted thatnearly all Vietnamese athletes were trained using the same method. Whenhe took over, he had to study the character of each athlete and providethem with individualised exercises that would improve their strengthsand neutralise their weaknesses.
Nguyen Hoang Ngan, the formerworld champion, bears on her shoulders the heavy task of winning thegold medal in the kata (performance) category at the Incheon ASIAD.
Ngan,who recently won a gold medal at the Karate1 Premier League inIstanbul, Turkey, is the only Vietnamese karate expert to reach worldlevels. She has undergone deep training in Japan in recent years.
However,at the ASIAD, considered a mini-world championship, she will be facingher top rivals on the world stage, from Japan, home of the sport, aswell as Iran and China.
Though she has won a number of titles in various world tournaments, she has yet to win in ASIAD.
"Ionly took a silver at the 2006 event and did not take part in the 2010edition. I will be the one who will be looking forward to ASIAD themost," said Ngan. "It is difficult to say if I could win a gold, but Iwill go for it."
"Ngan is our hope," said Ha. "We know that the competition will be tough, but we believe she will play her best."
Onthe kumite (combat) side, the absence of fighters Vu NguyetAnh and LeBich Phuong, former ASIAD winners, has left a big hole in the team.
Theyears are beginning to catch up with Anh, 30, who was on top of thepodium in Qatar in 2006. On the other hand, Phuong failed to stay inshape for the tournament and will be missing it for the second time.
HoNgoc Thuan, Lang ThiHoa and Bui Thi Han will be making their debut inthe Republic of Korea. One small advantage is that they know who theywill be facing, and they have been preparing for the moment.
"Ihave done much research on my rivals. I looked at their style and strongpoints. I also prepared myself and will follow my coach's instructionsduring the competition. I hope to achieve a good result," said Thuan.
Forher part, Hoa revealed that she lacked international experience butdidn't feel under heavy pressure to win a medal. This, she said, couldbe the advantage that will enable her to "perform magic" in Incheon.
Han,17, has travelled to compete for medals in tournaments held in othercountries in the last four months. Her remarkable results have made herone of the coaches' choices for the national team.
"It is an honour and a big challenge in my career. I promise to achieve the best result possible," said the athlete.
"Wehave set a target of one gold medal in Incheon," said Ha. "However, weare also prepared in case we lose there. It is great to win, but we haveto accept it if we do not. The changes in our team may bring risks forus, but these are also pushing us to the future."
Vietnam isexpected to send 64 athletes to compete in 20 out of the 36 events atthe upcoming 17th Asiad which will be held in Incheon from September 19to October 4.
At the 16th ASIAD in China, the nation gained one gold, 17 silvers and 15 bronzes.-VNA
