Ho Chi Minh City judoka enter the 2026 National Sports Festival aiming to protect their team title against 16 rival delegations.
The tournament runs from Nov. 15 to Nov. 22 at the Vung Tau Sports Center, featuring 304 athletes across 32 medal events.
Individual Combat Events and Team Brackets Define Tournament Format
Competitors square off in 18 individual combat events, four team brackets, and 10 kata routines. Individual combat splits evenly into nine male and nine female weight classes, while team events follow structured gender divisions by weight.
Dao Hong Quan Seeks to Defend Championship Title
Ho Chi Minh City head coach Dao Hong Quan said the squad aims to defend the overall championship title. The unit claimed eight gold medals at the ninth national tournament in 2022, sustaining a dominant run across recent editions.
“Our goal is to defend the overall championship,” Quan said.
Quan’s roster blends seasoned veterans with rising prospects such as Le Anh Thai. Other core members include Cao Minh Thai, Phan Gia Dong, Nguyen Hieu Nghia, Pham Quoc Quyen, Le Nguyen Hung Cuong, Nguyen Hai Ba, and Nguyen Thu Hoang Lan.
Elite Challengers in the Medal Hunt
Defending the crown requires playing against deep rosters from opposing delegations. Thanh Hoa brings Ha Y Chi, and the Ho Chi Minh City Army unit fields Lam Thi Ngan Ha, with both athletes having competed at the 20th Asian Games.
Additional contenders include medalists from the 2026 Southeast Asian Judo Championships and the 33rd Southeast Asian Games. These entries raise the technical standard across the 32 contested medal categories.
HTV Platforms Broadcast Judo Competition Live
HTV platforms began live broadcasting the judo competition on Nov. 15. Kata competitors execute codified routines requiring strict precision, coordination, and synchronized movement.
Originating in Japan, judo centers on throws, grappling, and control holds. The sport tests athletic power, speed, situational awareness, and strategic planning under pressure.
