Lao wushu fighters boost gold tally

Lao men’s and women’s wushu teams won gold medals at Lao-ITECC yesterday in the Dulian events.

The men’s team of Anousone Sasabo, Bountang Song and Siamphone Kongmary won gold in the Duilian (Weapon) category, scoring 9.5, while silver went to Indonesia and bronze medals went to Brunei and Malaysia.

In women’s Duilian (Barehand) event, Soudaphone Chanlapheng and Ketsuda Vongphakdy took gold for Laos, while silver went to Myanmar and bronze went to Malaysia.

The President of the Lao Wushu Federation, Mr Oudomsak Oudomthongkasem, said the fighters had performed superbly to win the gold medals, the result of their training which had brought them a high level of ability in only their second appearance at a SEA Games competition.

“I think this is another step for the Lao wushu fighters to show to other countries how far we’ve come since we began training this sport in Laos just few years ago. This shows our short but hard training plan could bring a big achievement, especially in the women’s category since they entered the competition for the first time,” said Mr Oudomsak.

Wushu events at the 25th SEA Games include Changquans (Long Fist, Broad Swordplay and Cud Get), Nanquans (Southern Fist and Southern Cudgel play), Taijiquans (Taijiquan and Taijijian), Duilian (Barehand and weapon), Sanshou (45, 48, 52, 56, 60 and 65kg) men’s categories, while the women’s events will be fought in each of these categories except Sanshou 65kg.

Wushu is classed as a full-contact exhibition sport. Modern wushu is composed of two disciplines: taolu and sanda. Taolu is a combination of gymnastics and martial arts.

Competitors are judged and scored on their movements, including stances, kicks, punches, balances, jumps, sweeps and throws.

Source: KPL Lao News Agency
December 14, 2009