11:03, 31/03/2022

Intense competition in National Muay Club Championship 2022

The National Muay Club Championship 2022, which took place and ended last week in Nha Trang City, saw intense competition among the participating units and localities. The tournament served as an occasion for the units and localities to prepare forces for the 9th National Sports Festival scheduled to take place at the end of 2022 as well as for SEA Games 31 held in May.
 

The National Muay Club Championship 2022, which took place and ended last week in Nha Trang City, saw intense competition among the participating units and localities. The tournament served as an occasion for the units and localities to prepare forces for the 9th National Sports Festival scheduled to take place at the end of 2022 as well as for SEA Games 31 held in May.
 
This tournament brought together more than 300 athletes from 27 localities and strong muay clubs over the country such as Hanoi, Thanh Hoa, Binh Duong, Ho Chi Minh City, People's Police, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Binh Phuoc, and the hosts Khanh Hoa. The reason that this year’s tournament attracted a large number of athletes is because the units and localities had regarded the tournament as a good opportunity for their athletes to gain experience and improve their skills after a long-hiatus due to COVID-19. The tournament was also expected to help the members of the national muay team retain their form to perform well at SEA Games 31. Most of the outstanding muay athletes of Vietnam participated in the tournament.

 

 
Unexpectedly, many athletes on the roster of the national team exited right in the preliminary round. Not only that, due to intense competition, some athletes had serious injuries. For example, Pham Dang Luu of Lao Cai Province had to have emergency treatment after being knocked out in the final match of men’s 81kg, 15-17 age category. Some athletes had to give up due to injuries before the medal matches, including Nguyen Vu Quynh Hoa (Thai Nguyen Province), Nguyen Van Toan (People's Police), Ho Gia Hieu (Ho Chi Minh City), etc.
 
The quality of the tournament was highly appreciated by professionals. Most of the strong teams achieved medals. Hanoi won first place in both 15-17 age category and the champion category with nine gold medals, six silver medals and five bronze medals. Thanh Hoa placed second in championship category and third in 15-17 age category with seven gold medals, two silver medals and one bronze medal). Ho Chi Minh City ranked second in 15-17 age category with four gold medals, one silver medal and four bronze medals. Binh Duong got third prize in the championship category with three silver medals and one bronze medal.
 
Khanh Hoa muay team joined this tournament with 13 athletes competing in championship category and one athlete in 15-17 age category. The team also had encouraging results with one gold medal in men’s 54kg, 15-17 age category; one silver medal in women’s 54kg and three bronze medals in men’s 57kg and 71kg, championship category. They placed 9th out of 27 teams in 15-17 age category and 13th in championship category.
 
According to Ly Hoang Phong, coach of Khanh Hoa muay team, this was considered a successful tournament of Khanh Hoa muay team because the hosts have still been far behind compared to the units with strong investment in this sport. In addition, the impacts of COVID-19 had made it difficult for many Khanh Hoa muay athletes to have best form because they had few opportunities to play and practice. 
 
An Nhien
Translated by H.N