The 10th National Sports Festival judo competition officially commenced in Vung Tau, bringing together over 300 athletes from 16 delegations to compete for 32 sets of medals.
Held at the Vung Tau Sports Center from November 15 to 22, the tournament features a total of 32 medal events, including 18 individual kumite categories, 4 team events, and 10 kata routines.
Ho Chi Minh City enters the tournament with the stated goal of defending its position as the top judo delegation in the country. Following a dominant performance at the 9th National Sports Festival in 2022, where the city secured eight gold medals, the team has focused on a roster strategy that blends seasoned veterans with emerging talent to maintain its competitive edge.
“The team is aiming to defend the overall championship title,” said Dao Hong Quan, head coach of the Ho Chi Minh City judo team, as reported by HTV Sports.
The Ho Chi Minh City squad includes notable athletes such as Le Anh Tai, who is identified as a key prospect for the team. The roster also features Cao Minh Tai, Phan Nghia Tung, Nguyen Hieu Nghia, Phan Quoc Quan, Le Nguyen Hung Cuong, Nguyen Hai Ba, and Nguyen Chau Hoang Lan. This balanced lineup provides the coaching staff with tactical flexibility across the various weight classes and event formats.
Competition for the top spot remains intense, with several regional and military units challenging the defending champions. Notable individual competitors include Ha Ngoc Chi representing Thanh Hoa province and Lam Thi Ngan Ha from the Army delegation, both of whom have experience competing at the 20th Asian Games.
The participation of many medalists from the 2026 Southeast Asian Judo Championships and the 33rd Southeast Asian Games has contributed to the professional level of the competition.
The tournament format requires athletes to demonstrate high levels of physical conditioning, technical precision, and strategic decision-making. In the kata discipline, participants are judged on their ability to synchronize movements and execute traditional techniques according to the established judo system. The individual kumite events are divided into nine weight classes for men and nine for women, while team events are similarly categorized by weight.
The event is scheduled to conclude on November 22. Official results and final standings will be determined following the completion of the remaining team and individual final rounds.
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