Anantaxay aims for SEA Games wushu gold
The best wushu fighter in the men's 57kg category, Anantaxay, is confident of his chances of winning a gold medal at the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane this December.
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Bayphay fights a brave but ultimately unsuccessful battle against Anantaxay (left) at the National Circus ring. |
This was strengthened following his defeat of Bayphay in the Vientiane Muay Lao Competition at the National Circus ring a fortnight ago.
The competition tested Anantaxay's technical abilities ahead of the SEA Games.
This is the first time both Sitnokaet camp's Bayphay and Anantaxay from the Sorsoukhaphone squad have faced off in the circus ring.
Anantaxay won a silver medal in the men's 52kg in wushu event at the 24th SEA Games in Thailand in 2007.
He also won a bronze medal in the men's 54kg muay lao event at the eighth National Games in Champassak province last December, and represented Luang Prabang province in eight events.
Originally hailing from Luang Prabang province, he currently lives in Nahay village in Vientiane 's Hadxaifong district.
Anantaxay also knocked out Thai kick-boxer Vanphisith (Kietthongsy camp) in the fourth round at the M-150 ring last month. He is 22 years old, and has an impressive record of 47 wins, two losses and one draw.
His opponent Bayphay was the older of the two at 27 years of age.
A native of Doung village in Xaysettha district, he has 48 wins, 16 losses and two draws to his credit.
Bayphay was knocked out by Army camp's Somdy in the second round of the men's 58kg in the Vientiane Muay Lao Competition last February.
Bayphay won a bronze medal in the men's 54kg event at the 24th SEA Games, but his successful run ended at the hands of Anantaxay during in the Vientiane Sports Department ring last year. This, combined with their most recent bout, suggests Anantaxay has a psychological advantage over Bayphay, which the Doung villager has yet to overcome.
The ST-Group Company Ltd, distributors of the M-150 energy drink supported the friendly competition by providing kick-boxers with cash prizes.
Results of the Vientiane Muay Lao Competition on April 10 (training camp in brackets):
30kg: Nongmay (Sorsoukhaphone) beat Koukiet (Khuanchaysikhot).
45kg: Salamdam (Phetphengkhuan) knocked out Meutmotmit (Sitlatsamy) in the second round.
49kg: Manideng (Loukbandoung) was knocked by Sybone (Bokxingyim) in the third round.
54kg: Loungchaleun (Wushu-yim) defeated Bounphisith (Khuanchaysikhot).
60kg: A low bow by Phonexay (Khuanchaysikhot) on Sisouvanh (Wushu-yim) caused the referee to intervene. The bout was stopped in the second round on technical grounds due to foul play. No result.
62kg: Boualapha (Physical Education Teacher Training School) knocked out Sengphet (Sit-aly) in the second round.
By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
April 20, 2009
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