Wushu will remain one of Vietnam’s strongest sports at the upcoming 29th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Malaysia.

National team's wushu athlete Duong Thuy Vi (source: kenh14.vn)

Vietnam will send five female and seven male athletes, who are seeking two gold and five silver medals at the largest regional sporting event.

“The players are very strong and ready to bring glory to the country,” said head coach Nguyen Van Chuong.

At the 28th Games held in Singapore two years ago, Vietnamese wushu athletes won four gold, four silver and three bronze medals. The sanshou (combat) category is not put into the 29th SEA Games.

Therefore Vietnam will target achievements in the taolu (performance) category.

Among participants to compete in the Games, Duong Thi Thuy Vi is one of the golden hopes for Vietnam.

Vi won the gold medal at the Asian Games in 2014 in the Republic of Korea and two gold medals in a row at the 27th and 28th Games.

“I always set a highest goal and will make every effort to succeed,” said Vi.

According to Chuong, Vi practices intensely and learns by herself how to create beautiful movements when performing.

Vietnam will target achievements in the taolu (performance) category (source: khampha.vn)

“I hope that she will continue playing to her strengths and bring the country high honours,” said Chuong.

In preparation for the Games, the team has been practicing hard at Trinh Hoai Duc Gymnasium in Hanoi, since the beginning of the year. Apart from practicing at home, the team also underwent an intensive training programme in China, under the guidance of Chinese experts. The team also played well at the national event and improved their skills and techniques.

Vietnam’s wushu athletes, who gained five golds, three silvers, and four bronzes in the 27th Games, will begin their competition on August 20-22.

Vietnam’s 681-member sporting delegation, including over 400 athletes, will go to Malaysia to compete in all 32 sport events, hoping to bring home 60 golds to be in the top three at the regional tournament, according to the National Sports Administration.

At the previous Games, Vietnam ranked third with 73 golds, 53 silvers and 60 bronze./.

( VNF/VNA )