Judo fighters compete in the Lao Judo Championships at the Lao-Japan Budo Centre in Vientiane on Saturday.

Vientiane Judo club claims victory in Minister’s Cup

The Vientiane Judo Club won first place in the 11th Lao Judo Championships Minister of Education and Sports’ Cup, winning six gold, 11 silver, and three bronze medals.
Savannakhet province’s judo club came second with six gold, six silver and four bronze medals, and in third place was the Institute of Sport Club with five gold, two silver and eight bronze medals. 
The opening ceremony of the two-day event on Saturday was attended by Deputy Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs Khanthaly Siriphongphanh, a representative of the Japanese Embassy to Laos, Ms Michiko Tsumura, President of the Lao Judo Federation, Mr Khemsath Philaphandeth, and other officials.
Mr Khemsath said one of the aims of the contest was to select up-and-coming talented fighters for the national team.
Promising contestants will also have an opportunity to compete at the 11th National Games in Xieng Khuang province in December and the South-East Asian (SEA) Games taking place in Cambodia in May next year.
Some 140 judo fighters at the junior and beginner levels from nine clubs in Vientiane, Savannakhet province, and Phuket province in Thailand took part in the championship, competing in the kata (dance) and fighting categories.
The kata event was contested by young men and women aged 16-20, while the fighting category comprised competitors in the 12, 13, 15, 16, 20 and over 21 age groups.
Sponsors and the Lao Judo Federation provided almost 100 million kip for the championships.
At the close of the event, the Lao Judo Federation presented certificates to the companies that had supported the championships.
Thirteen referees adjudicated throughout the competition, while 35 volunteers were also present to ensure everything went to plan.
The winning club received a cup and a cash prize, with the second to sixth placed winners also receiving a cash prize from the Federation.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update October 18, 2022)