Japanese experts train Lao fighters for SEA Games

Japanese judo trainers are imparting their skills to Lao practitioners of the sport during coaching sessions at the National Sports Training Centre in Vientiane in preparation for the South-East Asian (SEA) Games, which take place in Vietnam from May 12-23.

Japanese judo trainers work with Lao fighters at the National Sports Training Centre in Vientiane.                                      --Photo Lao Judo Federation

Japanese expert Kazuki Kon is providing training in the kata (dance) form of judo, while Yohei Takimoto who is a JICA volunteer, is giving coaching in the fighting form of the martial art.
The Lao Judo Federation is hoping to fund Kazuki Kon’s training activities.
The Japanese coaches have been working with their Lao trainees for the past week and are honing their skills in order to improve their medal chances.
Laos’ judo team is hoping to be in the running for medals and a place on the podium in Vietnam after intensive workouts with the Japanese trainers.
The Lao Judo Federation is readying three men and three women in different weight divisions to compete in the fighting category of judo, while two men and two women will compete in dance events.
The government is partly funding the team’s training over a period of 70 days before they head for Vietnam.
The team carries the weight of Lao expectations of a medal after martial artists were unable to take part in international level events last year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Earlier this month, 25 Lao judo trainers and fighters took part in an online course in teaching techniques under the 2021 Japan-Asean JITA-Kyoei Project, run by Japan’s Kodokan Institute.
Following the session, judo practitioners were able to employ new techniques and teach new skills to junior fighters in their respective clubs.
The federation has not planned any national level events or training sessions for trainers and fighters this year because of the Covid-19 outbreak. Normally, the federation holds a national judo championship each year.
In 2019, the Lao judo team won two silver and one bronze medal at the 30th SEA Games held in the Philippines.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update March 18, 2022)