Athletes take gold at Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts World Cup
HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam won eight gold medals at the Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts World Cup, which closed in the French city of Marseille on Sunday.
The team finished second behind the hosts, who secured nine golds.
Việt Nam sent a delegation of 一0 athletes to the first Cup, competing in both the combat and performance categories.
The winners in the combat disciplines were Nguyễn Thanh Khiết (men’s 五 五kg) Vũ Trường Giang (men’s 六 五kg), Nguyễn Thị Hằng Nga (women’s 五 二kg) and Nguyễn Thị Tuyết Mai (women’s 五 六kg).
The winning performers were Dương Quốc Cường, Đặng Văn Hợp, Nguyễn Thị Tuyết Trinh and Nguyễn Thị Tuyết Nhung in the men’s and women’s standard and freestyle events.
“Athletes have improved a lot compared to competitions that I took part in the past,” said Khiết after taking his title. "They were much more skilful in technique and their moves are stronger."
The tournament gathered nearly 三00 athletes from 三 二 teams representing 一 八 countries.
Vietnamese martial arts are developing in 六 八 nations and territories over the world under the name of Việt Võ Đạo or Vovinam.
Organisers said they expect the martial arts will be practiced in 一00 nations and territories by 二0 三0. — VNS