Judo federation announces SEA Games squad

The Lao Judo Federation officially announced its final squad for next month's 25th SEA Games on Thursday.

The team, which has spent the past year training in Japan and at a national camp, comprises fighters across several weight categories at the first and second black belt levels.

On November 23 the team will compete in a warm-up event at the new Lao-Japan Budo Centre in Vientiane which will host the judo events during the games.

The federation will also use the tournament to test the readiness of organisers and officials before the games kick off.

Federation President Khemsath Philaphandeth said the national team is now petering off its training schedule to minimise the risk of injury before the games and is focusing more on tactics and strategies.

The federation, supported by K.P. Company Ltd, Lao Toyota and other companies, has pledged 200 million kip worth of prizes to team members who win medals.

Gold medal winners will receive a motorbike, and silver and bronze medallists will be rewarded with cash prizes.

The federation has also set aside 60 million kip for 40 students and teachers from Champassak, Xekong, Attapeu and Saravan provinces to travel to Vientiane to support the judo and other Lao teams at the games.

The SEA Games squad for the judo fighting event comprises Mr Chittakone Sivanvilay (55kg), Mr Chindavone Sivanvilay (60kg), Mr Palitha Phommala (66kg), Mr Phengsy Phonepaseuth (90kg), Mr Sengsouly (100kg), Khemkham Kommanivong (over 100kg), Ms Mayouly Phanouvong (45kg), Ms Phetnida Si-amphone (48kg), Ms Phonenaly Xayalath (52kg), Ms Chipchinda Bonpha-aksone (57kg), Ms Phonethip Sonetavanh (63kg), and Ms Sipaphay Phomvihanh (78kg).

Mr Chindavone and Ms Mayouly will be joined by Mr Viengvilay Chansy and Ms Phonevanh Si-amphone respectively to compete in the pairs nage no kata (artistic) event.

Both of the pairs teams won gold medals in their respective divisions at the 24th SEA Games in Thailand in 2007.

The Lao judo squad was successful at the East Asia Judo Championship 2009 at Lao-ITECC last August, taking home three gold, two silver and 18 bronze medals. The tournament included fighters from Indonesia , Myanmar , Singapore , Thailand , Vietnam , Malaysia and Laos .

The Lao judo team won two gold, one silver and three bronze medals at the last SEA Games.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
(Latest Update Novembe 20 , 2009)