Lao wushu fighters to train in Vietnam , China for 25th SEA Games
The Lao wushu team will strengthen their tactics in Vietnam and China from July to September with the aim of winning gold medals at the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane this December.
The Lao Wushu Federation will send both male and female fighters to train in Vietnam and some male fighters to train in China .
The 16-member squad is currently training at the National Sports Training Centre in Sikeuth village, Naxaithong district. The team includes new members and some competitors who were successful at the previous SEA Games in Thailand in 2007.
The squad is under the guidance of Chinese coach Mr Cui Jian Gong and assistant coaches Mr Vanxay Oudomphon and Mr Phoukhong Khamsounthone.
Mr Cui began training the team on May 9 and will lead them to the games.
Mr Cui, who is from Beijing , has previously coached Italian and Japanese wushu teams.
Mr Vanxay was a bronze medallist in the 60kg category at the 19th SEA Games, held in Indonesia in 1997, and won a bronze medal at the 21st SEA Games in Malaysia in 2001, as well as a bronze medal at the 14th Asian Games in Busan , South Korea , in 2002.
Mr Phoukhong won bronze medals in the 52kg division at the 19th SEA Games and the 14th Asian Games.
The federation's Secretary General, Mr Sitha Chuyapaseuth, said a final squad of nine will be selected to participate in the games.
At the last SEA Games the Lao wushu team won one silver and two bronze medals.
The team was trained by Chinese coach Mr Zhang Shugen from 2001 to 2005, and Mr Weiting Feng from 2001 to mid 2009.
By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes
